Computational approaches for identifications of altered ion channels in keratoconus.

Background: Keratoconus is an etiologically complex, degenerative corneal disease that eventually leads to loss of corneal integrity. Cells in corneal epithelium and endothelium express various types of ion channels that play important roles in ocular pathology. This emphasizes the need of understanding alterations of ion channels in keratoconus.

How elections shape perceptions of ideal leadership.

Individuals hold internal leadership representations, termed leadership prototypes. We examined how these prototypes changed in reaction to the 2020 U.S.

A Comprehensive Case Report Emphasizing the Role of Caesarean Section, Antibiotic Prophylaxis, and Post-operative Care in Meconium-Stained Fetal Distress Syndrome.

Meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) presents a complex medical scenario with significant implications for maternal and neonatal health. This case report explores the intricacies surrounding MSAF, focusing on its diagnosis, treatment, and the associated meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). The report emphasizes the critical role of antibiotic prophylaxis in lower segment cesarean sections (LSCS) in balancing infection prevention in the mother with neonatal considerations.

Half-turned truncal switch operation for dextro-transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and an abnormal coronary pattern.

We describe a surgical technique for a half-turned truncal switch operation in a 5-year-old child with dextro-transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA), a ventricular septal defect, a left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and a complex coronary pattern. The benefit of the half-turned truncal switch is the creation of haemodynamically superior biventricular outflow tracts and the maximal use of an autologous pulmonary valve in the right ventricular outflow tract, thereby avoiding the right ventricular-pulmonary artery conduit.

Salivary levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in periodontitis patients with and without acute myocardial infarction: implications for cardiovascular risk assessment.

Background: Periodontitis is initiated by a dysbiotic activity and furthermore leads to a chronic inflammatory response. The presence of pro-inflammatory markers plays an important role in the inflammatory load. Macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are pro- inflammatory biomarkers that quantify clinical and subclinical inflammation in cardiac ischemia in cardiac inflammation and disease.

Protocol to produce plant-based hybrid nanovesicles from fresh turmeric and pepper using polyethylene glycol.

In addition to proteins, microRNAs, and lipids, plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (ENVs) are also enriched with host plant bioactives. Both curcumin and piperine are water insoluble, lack bioavailability, and are extracted by non-ecofriendly solvents. Herein, we present an eco-friendly protocol for co-isolating both curcumin and piperine in the form of hybrid ENVs.

Efficacy of a oil-based dentifrice in reducing plaque and gingival bleeding scores - A randomized clinical crossover study.

Herbal products in dentistry have grown significantly. In the current scenario, herbal products are believed to be an effective adjunct to other medications. The present study aims to evaluate oil and miswak (Salvadora persica) toothpaste for its efficacy in observable reduction in plaque and gingival bleeding.

Changes in social norms during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic across 43 countries.

The emergence of COVID-19 dramatically changed social behavior across societies and contexts. Here we study whether social norms also changed. Specifically, we study this question for cultural tightness (the degree to which societies generally have strong norms), specific social norms (e.

Quality of life in people with epilepsy: The associations of anti-seizure medications and biopsychosocial variables.

People with epilepsy, on average, experience lower quality of life (QOL) than healthy controls. This study examined the associations between specific anti-seizure medications, biopsychosocial factors, and QOL in people with epilepsy. Analysis of covariance revealed that individuals taking three or more anti-seizure medications had significantly lower QOL than those taking levetiracetam.

Local ablative therapies and the effect on antitumor immune responses in pancreatic cancer - A review.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating disease, projected to rank as the second most prevalent cause of cancer-related mortality by 2030. Despite significant progress in advances in surgical techniques and chemotherapy protocols, the overall survival (OS) remains to be less than 10 % for all stages combined. In recent years, local ablative techniques have been introduced and utilized as additional therapeutic approaches for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC), with promising results with respect to local tumor control and OS.

Anti-obesity effects of olivetol in adult zebrafish model induced by short-term high-fat diet.

Obesity is a complex disease caused by various factors, and synthetic drugs used to treat it can have side effects. Natural compounds, such as olivetol, could be a promising alternative. Olivetol is a substance found in certain lichen species and has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

Nanogels as novel drug nanocarriers for CNS drug delivery.

Nanogels are highly recognized as adaptable drug delivery systems that significantly contribute to improving various therapies and diagnostic examinations for different human diseases. These three-dimensional, hydrophilic cross-linked polymers have the ability to absorb large amounts of water or biological fluids. Due to the growing demand for enhancing current therapies, nanogels have emerged as the next-generation drug delivery system.

Exploring the contribution of pro-inflammatory cytokines to impaired wound healing in diabetes.

Background: Impaired wound healing is the most common and significant complication of Diabetes. While most other complications of Diabetes have better treatment options, diabetic wounds remain a burden as they can cause pain and suffering in patients. Wound closure and repair are orchestrated by a sequence of events aided by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are dysregulated in cases of Diabetes, making the wound environment unfavorable for healing and delaying the wound healing processes.

2 Window NIR Imaging of Radiation Injury Mitigation Provided by Reduced Notch-Dll4 Expression on Vasculature.

Purpose: Vascular endothelium plays a central role in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic radiation injuries, yet the mechanisms which promote sustained endothelial dysfunction and contribute to late responding organ failure are unclear. We employed 2 window (> 1100 nm emission) Near-Infrared (NIR) imaging using indocyanine green (ICG) to track and define the role of the notch ligand Delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4) in mediating vascular injury in two late-responding radiosensitive organs: the lung and kidney.

Procedures: Consomic strains of female Salt Sensitive or SS (Dll4-high) and SS with 3 chromosome inherited from Brown Norway, SS.

The protective role of sulforaphane and Homer1a in retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury: Unraveling the neuroprotective interplay.

Aims: Retinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common pathological basis for various ophthalmic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the potential of sulforaphane (SFN) and Homer1a in regulating cell apoptosis induced by retinal I/R injury and to explore the underlying regulatory mechanism between them.

Materials And Methods: In in vivo experiments, C57BL/6J mice and Homer1/Homer1a/Nestin-Cre mice were used to construct retinal I/R injury models.

Modulation of IL-33/ST2 signaling as a potential new therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases.

IL-33 belongs to the IL-1 family of cytokines, which function as inducers of Th2 cytokine production by binding with ST2L and IL-1RAcP. This, in turn, activates various signaling pathways, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), the inhibitor of Kappa-B kinase (IKK) pathway, and the phospholipase D-sphingosine kinase pathway. IL-33 has demonstrated protective effects against various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) by inducing Th2 cytokines and promoting alternative activating M2 polarization.

Mindfulness in Politics: A Qualitative Study on Mindfulness Training in the UK Parliament.

Objectives: While mindfulness in the workplace has received substantial scientific attention in the past decades, it is not yet well-understood if, under what circumstances, and in what ways mindfulness training may be helpful for individuals working in political environments. The aim of this study was to explore the experience of mindfulness training among British politicians, as well as mindfulness facilitators who had taught mindfulness to politicians in the UK Parliament.

Method: Between September and November 2021, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with British politicians ( = 18) who had experience of mindfulness training and mindfulness facilitators ( = 4) who had taught mindfulness to politicians in the UK Parliament.

Identification of novel candidate targets for suppressing ovarian cancer progression through IL-33/ST2 axis components using the system biology approach.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) of ovarian cancer (OvC) are the most prevalent element of the tumor microenvironment (TM). By promoting angiogenesis, immunological suppression, and invasion, CAFs speed up the growth of tumors by changing the extracellular matrix's structure and composition and/or initiating the epithelial cells (EPT). IL-33/ST2 signaling has drawn a lot of attention since it acts as a pro-tumor alarmin and encourages spread by altering TM.

Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccines in India: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to evaluate the acceptability levels for COVID vaccine(s) in various states in India. Published articles in PubMed/Scopus/Cochrane/DOAJ/the Web of Science that focused on assessing COVID-19 vaccine hesitation/vaccine acceptance using a survey/questionnaire were included. After extensive research, 524 records were found, and after screening on the basis of eligibility criteria, only 23 papers were added to this review.

Role and mechanistic actions of protein kinase inhibitors as an effective drug target for cancer and COVID.

Kinases can be grouped into 20 families which play a vital role as a regulator of neoplasia, metastasis, and cytokine suppression. Human genome sequencing has discovered more than 500 kinases. Mutations of the kinase itself or the pathway regulated by kinases leads to the progression of diseases such as Alzheimer's, viral infections, and cancers.

A pan-cancer analysis of HAVCR1 with a focus on diagnostic, prognostic and immunological roles in human cancers.

Objectives: Cancer is one of the most prominent causes of death world wide. Identification of novel cancer biomarkers woud help with cancer diagnosis and possible treatment.

Methods: In this study, we comprehensively studied the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic values of the hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 1 (HAVCR1) gene across multiple cancers from a pan-cancer point of view via a detailed approach.