Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity in SARS-CoV-2 Infected Noncritically Ill Hospitalized Patients.

Objectives: This study determined the baseline hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hormonal levels and their associated factors in noncritically ill hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 91 noncritical RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients (aged 18 to 65 years) recruited consecutively from the COVID unit of two tertiary care hospitals over a period of six months. After the screening, relevant history and physical examinations were done, and blood was drawn between 07:00 am to 09:00 am in a fasting state to measure serum cortisol and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay.

The Safety and Efficacy of Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients With Heart Failure and Myocardial Infarction: A Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials.

Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies suggests that human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (HUC-MSCs) may be useful in treating heart failure and acute myocardial infarction (MI). However, the effects of stem cell therapy on patients with heart failure remain the subject of ongoing controversy, and the safety and effectiveness of HUC-MSCs therapy have not yet been proven. To date, there has been no systematic overview and meta-analysis of clinical studies using HUC-MSCs therapy for heart failure and MI.

A Brief Digital Screening and Intervention Tool for Parental and Adolescent Tobacco and Electronic Cigarette Use in Pediatric Medical Care in Canada: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Though rates of tobacco smoking have decreased consistently over the past 3 decades, cigarette use remains the top preventable cause of premature death in North America. The Clinical Effort Against Secondhand Smoke Exposure (CEASE) is a medical clinic-based intervention that systematically screens parents for tobacco use and offers them direct access to evidence-based smoking cessation services. While the effectiveness of CEASE for parents who smoke has already been demonstrated in the United States, the CEASE model has not yet been tested in Canada, among parents who use e-cigarettes, or among adolescents who use cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

Elevated CO Can Improve the Tolerance of to Cope with Zirconium Pollution by Enhancing ROS Homeostasis.

Zirconium (Zr) is one of the toxic metals that are heavily incorporated into the ecosystem due to intensive human activities. Their accumulation in the ecosystem disrupts the food chain, causing undesired alterations. Despite Zr's phytotoxicity, its impact on plant growth and redox status remains unclear, particularly if combined with elevated CO (eCO).

Investigating the Chemical Composition of Seeds and Their Ability to Safeguard against Monosodium Glutamate-Induced Hepatic Dysfunction.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is one of the most frequently used food additives that endanger public health. The antioxidant, hyperlipidemic, and cytoprotective properties of seeds (LSS) as a natural remedy can minimize the harmful effects of MSG. This study investigated the potential protective effect of LSS against MSG-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: Could the Monocyte/HDL Ratio Be the Link?

Introduction: Both Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) shared the microinflammatory milieu and increased oxidative stress as important criteria in their pathogenesis. The monocyte/high density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (MHR) seems to be an easy-to-calculate prognostic marker of microinflammation.

Objectives: To assess MHR in patients with AGA and its correlation to AMD in these patients, if any.

Prehatching development of the adrenal gland in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica): Histological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic studies.

The adrenal glands play a key role in maintaining the physiological balance of birds and helping them to survive environmental changes. The objective of the present work was to give a detailed investigation of the histological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical findings of the adrenal gland in Japanese quail during the prehatching phase. The current study was performed on 45 healthy Japanese quail embryos at different prehatching periods.

Transient elastography and platelet count as noninvasive predictors of gastroesophageal varices in patients with compensated hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis.

Background: Early detection of esophageal varices (EV) before the first attack of bleeding is crucial for primary prophylaxis. The current work aims to investigate the use of a combination of FibroScan and platelet count as noninvasive means to identify EV in patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Methods: Sixty-two patients with compensated hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis were divided into two groups with and without EV.

Mycorrhized wheat and bean plants tolerate bismuth contaminated soil via improved metal detoxification and antioxidant defense systems.

Contamination of agricultural fields with bismuth (Bi) reduces crop yield and quality. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to enhance plant growth and crop production, even under stressful conditions such as soil contamination with heavy metals. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of AMF on the mitigation of Bi-phytotoxicity in wheat (Triticum aestivum) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the physiological and biochemical basis for the growth and development of AMF-induced plants under Bi stress conditions.

Gaps and priorities in innovation for children's surgery.

Lack of access to pediatric medical devices and innovative technology contributes to global disparities in children's surgical care. There are currently many barriers that prevent access to these technologies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Technologies that were designed for the needs of high-income countries (HICs) may not fit the resources available in LMICs.

Attitudes towards induced abortion among gynecologists in Kurdistan region of Iraq.

Background: Unsafe abortion is a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in countries where induced abortion is restricted. In Kurdistan Region of Iraq, induced abortion is strictly forbidden except for life-threatening situations, increasing the risk of seeking unsafe abortions. Attitudes among healthcare professionals who directly encounter cases and consequences of induced abortion can be studied to improve women's access to safe abortion.

Acetazolamide loaded-silver nanoparticles: A potential treatment for murine trichinellosis.

Trichinellosis is a global food-borne disease caused by viviparous parasitic nematodes of the genus Due to the lack of effective, safe therapy and the documented adverse effects of traditional therapy, this study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of acetazolamide-loaded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on murine trichinellosis. Fifty male Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups of ten mice each: Group I, normal control group; Group II, infected with and not treated; Group III, infected and given AgNPs; Group IV, infected and treated with acetazolamide; and Group V, infected and treated with acetazolamide-loaded AgNPs. Mice were infected orally with 250 larvae.

Study of aqueous humour inflammatory mediators' levels in a cohort of Egyptian patients with diabetic macular oedema.

Background: The aim was to study aqueous humour inflammatory mediators' levels in a cohort of Egyptian patients with diabetic macular oedema (DMO).

Methods: This was a case-control prospective study conducted on 2 groups: 25 eyes of 22 (11 females) patients seeking treatment for DMO as patients group, and 10 eyes of 10 (4 females) cataract patients as a control group. Aqueous humour was aspirated before intravitreal injection (patients' group) or cataract surgery (control group).

Sodium Alginate- and Cationic Cellulose-Functionalized Polycaprolactone Nanofibers for In Vitro and Antibacterial Applications.

The use of polyelectrolytes is emerging as a fascinating strategy for the functionalization of biomedical membranes, due to their ability to enhance biological responses using the interaction effect of charged groups on multiple interface properties. Herein, two different polyelectrolytes were used to improve the antibacterial properties of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers fabricated via electrospinning. First, a new cationic cellulose derivative, cellulose-bearing imidazolium tosylate (CIMD), was prepared via the nucleophilic substitution of the tosyl group using 1-methylimidazole, as confirmed by NMR analyses, and loaded into the PCL nanofibers.

The Effect of a Diabetes Self-Management Mobile Application on Self-Efficacy, Self-Care Agency, and Self-Care Management Among Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that needs long-term management. Mobile health is an emerging field that is being used for diabetes self-management. Evaluate the effect of a diabetes self-management mobile application on self-efficacy, self-care agency, and self-care management among 128 Jordanian patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Path analysis model for preventing stunting in dryland area island East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia.

Background: The problem of stunting is still a fundamental problem in Indonesia's human development. East Nusa Tenggara Province is an archipelago dryland area where in 2007-2021 it has contributed to the highest number of stunting children prevalence in Indonesia. This study aims to determine the relationship of variables in individual, household and district level with the prevalence of stunting.

Nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practices towards palliative care provided to patients diagnosed with cancer.

Aim And Objectives: This study aimed to explore the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward palliative care (PC) among nurses working with patients diagnosed with cancer in Jordan.

Background: PC is a growing specialty in healthcare and nursing in Jordan with an increased need to expand its scope, develop policies to govern it, and increase the awareness of its importance especially for patients diagnosed with cancer.

Design: Cross sectional design was used in the current study.

A Physiotherapy-Led Transition to Home Intervention for Older Adults Following Emergency Department Discharge: A Pilot Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial (ED PLUS).

Background: Older adults frequently attend the emergency department (ED) and experience high rates of subsequent adverse outcomes including functional decline, ED re-presentation and unplanned hospital admission. The development of effective interventions to prevent such outcomes is a key priority for research and service provision. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of a physiotherapy-led integrated care intervention for older adults discharged from the ED (ED PLUS).

Look What the Cat Dragged in! Recurrent Clostridioides difficile from a Household Cat.

BACKGROUND Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium that is well known for causing serious diarrheal infections and can even lead to colon cancer if left untreated. Disruption of the normal healthy bacteria in the colon can lead to development of C.

A Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt With Anal Protrusion Causing Meningitis in A Child.

The ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt has been one of the primary methods for treating hydrocephalus for many years and is one of the most frequent surgical interventions performed in neurosurgery using a variety of techniques and different VP shunt types. Consequently, shunt insertion is associated with many complications, including insertion failure, functional failure, and mechanical failure such as shunt migration. Shunt migration to the gastrointestinal or urogenital tract is a rare and one of the most distressing complications, which can lead to ascending infection and even meningitis.

Intravenous fluid rate of 250 mL/h versus 125 mL/h in nulliparous women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Evidence regarding the type and rate of intravenous (IV) fluid administration during labor is still inconclusive and the studies assessing the impact of IV fluids had mixed results.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of IV fluids at an infusion rate of 250 mL/h as compared with 125 mL/h on labor outcomes in nulliparous women.

Search Strategy: We searched six databases for relevant studies through a search strategy containing the relevant keywords "IV hydration", "IV fluids", and "labor" from the inception of these databases to May 1, 2023, without any applied restrictions.

Phytochemical Composition and Pharmacological Activities of Three Essential Oils Collected from Eastern Morocco , , and : A Comparative Study.

Throughout history, essential oils have been employed for their pleasing scents and potential therapeutic benefits. These oils have shown promise in various areas, including aromatherapy, personal care products, natural remedies, and even as alternatives to traditional cleaning agents or pest control solutions. The study aimed to explore the chemical makeup, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of Benth.