Enhanced Disc Herniation Classification Using Grey Wolf Optimization Based on Hybrid Feature Extraction and Deep Learning Methods.

Unlabelled: Due to the increasing number of people working at computers in professional settings, the incidence of lumbar disc herniation is increasing.

Background/objectives: The early diagnosis and treatment of lumbar disc herniation is much more likely to yield favorable results, allowing the hernia to be treated before it develops further. The aim of this study was to classify lumbar disc herniations in a computer-aided, fully automated manner using magnetic resonance images (MRIs).

Development of targeted safety hazard management plans utilizing multidimensional association rule mining.

Investigating hidden hazards and implementing closed-loop management are essential strategies for accident prevention in the mining industry. This study tackles a key challenge in applying association rule mining to the development of hazard management plans for underground mines. The current approach mainly focuses on hazard description data, often underutilizing critical information such as hazard time and location.

Recovery of protein from tofu whey wastewater using protein-based coagulant.

Tofu whey wastewater is the protein-rich liquid by-product of tofu production that has the potential as a source stream for biobased products. Coagulation can be used to recover protein from tofu whey. Biobased coagulants are alternatives for polymer- and metal-based coagulants, particularly if the precipitate is recovered and used for further processes.

The Effect of Online Group Education on Promoting Knowledge, Motivation, Self-Efficacy, Self-Care Behaviors and Preventing Uncontrolled Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients: A Quasi-Experiment Study.

Introduction: Hypertensive patients may lack time to visit clinics and attend educational sessions, resulting in poor blood pressure control. Uncontrolled blood pressure in people with hypertension can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Objective: The specific purpose of this study was to determine the effect of online group education on knowledge, motivation, self-efficacy, self-care behavior, and blood pressure control of hypertensive patients.

New Pharmacological Insight into Etanercept and Pregabalin in Allodynia and Nociception: Behavioral Studies in a Murine Neuropathic Pain Model.

Neuropathic pain is challenging to treat, often resistant to current therapies, and associated with significant side effects. Pregabalin, an anticonvulsant that modulates calcium channels, is effective but can impair mental and motor functions, especially in older patients. To improve patient outcomes, reducing the doses of pregabalin and combining it with other drugs targeting different neuropathic pain mechanisms may be beneficial.

A Randomized Clinical Trial Study on the Prevention Strategy and Early Detection of Ulcer Recurrence in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Using the Risk of Recurrence Ulcer Tool.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifies: NCT06434922.

Neuroinflammation and Neurometabolomic Profiling in Fentanyl Overdose Mouse Model Treated with Novel β-Lactam, MC-100093, and Ceftriaxone.

Opioid-related deaths are attributed to overdoses, and fentanyl overdose has been on the rise in many parts of the world, including the USA. Glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) has been identified as a therapeutic target in several preclinical models of substance use disorders, and β-lactams effectively enhance its expression and function. In the current study, we characterized the metabolomic profile of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in fentanyl-overdose mouse models, and we evaluated the protective effects of the functional enhancement of GLT-1 using β-lactams, ceftriaxone, and MC-100093.

Activation of α7 nicotinic receptors attenuated hyperalgesia and anxiety induced by palatable obesogenic diet withdrawal.

Unlabelled: Consumption of palatable food (PF) can alleviate anxiety, and pain in humans. Contrary, spontaneous withdrawal of long-term PF intake produces anxiogenic-like behavior and abnormal pain sensation, causing challenges to weight-loss diet and anti-obesity agents. Thus, we examined α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR) involvement since it plays essential role in nociception and psychological behaviors.

Ceftriaxone and MC-100093 mitigate fentanyl-induced cardiac injury in mice: Preclinical investigation of its underlying molecular mechanisms.

Drug addiction is considered a worldwide concern and one of the most prevailing causes of death globally. Opioids are highly addictive drugs, and one of the most common opioids that is frequently used clinically is fentanyl. The potential harmful effects of chronic exposure to opioids on the heart are still to be elucidated.

Fabrication and biocompatibility evaluation of hydroxyapatite-polycaprolactone-gelatin composite nanofibers as a bone scaffold.

One approach to addressing bone defects involves the field of bone tissue engineering, with scaffolds playing an important role. The properties of the scaffold must be similar to those of natural bone, including pore size, porosity, interconnectivity, mechanical attributes, degradation rate, non-toxicity, non-immunogenicity, and biocompatibility. The primary goals of this study are as follows: first, to evaluate hydroxyapatite (HA)/polycaprolactone (PCL)/gelatin nanofiber scaffolds based on functional groups, fibre diameter, porosity, and degradation rate; second, to investigate the interaction between HA/PCL/gelatin scaffolds and osteoblast cells (specifically, the ATCC 7F2 cell line) using assays, including cell viability and adhesion levels.

The potential effect of α7 nicotinic receptors modulation on palatable food-induced dependence-like behaviors.

Background: The recent global increase in obesity rates, coupled with excessive palatable food (PF) consumption, has become a serious societal concern. Literature indicates that rewarding PF, especially upon cessation, can lead to overeating, binge eating, and compulsive eating, potentially resulting in obesity. Challenges in dietary paradigms, alongside limitations in approved treatments for eating disorders and anti-obesity medications, underscore the need to explore novel targets.

A (RP)UHPLC/UV analytical method to quantify dsRNA during the mRNA vaccine manufacturing process.

dsRNA is a product related impurity produced during the mRNA manufacturing process. The established immuno-based detection methods lack the flexibility and speed required to be applied throughout the manufacturing process. The RP-HPLC method developed outperforms these in terms of precision, broader detection range, LOD and LOQ, as well as in output variance.

Effects of MC-100093 on Ethanol Drinking and the Expression of Astrocytic Glutamate Transporters in the Mesocorticolimbic Brain Regions of Male and Female Alcohol-Preferring Rats.

Chronic ethanol consumption increased extracellular glutamate concentrations in several reward brain regions. Glutamate homeostasis is regulated in majority by astrocytic glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) as well as the interactive role of cystine/glutamate antiporter (xCT). In this study, we aimed to determine the attenuating effects of a novel beta-lactam MC-100093, lacking the antibacterial properties, on ethanol consumption and GLT-1 and xCT expression in the subregions of nucleus accumbens (NAc core and NAc shell) and medial prefrontal cortex (Infralimbic, mPFC-IL and Prelimbic, mPFC-PL) in male and female alcohol-preferring (P) rats.

Effects of novel beta-lactam, MC-100093, and ceftriaxone on astrocytic glutamate transporters and neuroinflammatory factors in nucleus accumbens of C57BL/6 mice exposed to escalated doses of morphine.

Chronic exposure to opioids can lead to downregulation of astrocytic glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1), which regulates the majority of glutamate uptake. Studies from our lab revealed that beta-lactam antibiotic, ceftriaxone, attenuated hydrocodone-induced downregulation of GLT-1 as well as cystine/glutamate antiporter (xCT) expression in central reward brain regions. In this study, we investigated the effects of escalating doses of morphine and tested the efficacy of novel synthetic non-antibiotic drug, MC-100093, and ceftriaxone in attenuating the effects of morphine exposure in the expression of GLT-1, xCT, and neuroinflammatory factors (IL-6 and TGF-β) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc).

Factors for Minimum Acceptable Diet Practice among 6-23-Month-Old Children in Rural and Urban Areas of Indonesia.

Background: Malnutrition is common among children under 5 years of age in Indonesia, with the rates varying between urban and rural areas. The minimum acceptable diet (MAD) assesses nutrient quality and quantity. This study aimed to identify the potential variables for MAD in 6-23-month-old children in both urban and rural Indonesia.

Enhancement of skin localization of β-carotene from red fruit (Pandanus conoideus Lam.) using solid dispersion-thermoresponsive gel delivered via polymeric solid microneedles.

Red fruit (Pandanus conoideus Lam.) boasts high β-carotene (BC) content, often consumed orally. However, absorption issues and low bioavailability due to food matrix interaction have led to transdermal delivery exploration.

Incorporation of Inclusion Complexes in the Dissolvable Microneedle Ocular Patch System for the Efficiency of Fluconazole in the Therapy of Fungal Keratitis.

Fluconazole (FNL) is one of the first-line treatments for fungal keratitis as it is an effective broad-spectrum antimicrobial commonly administered orally or topically. However, FNL has a very low water solubility, limiting its drug formulation, therapeutic application, and bioavailability through tissues. To overcome these limitations, this study aimed to develop FNL inclusion complexes (FNL-IC) with cyclodextrin (α-cyclodextrin, sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin, and hydroxypropyl-γ cyclodextrin) and incorporate it into a dissolvable microneedle (DMN) system to improve solubility and drug penetration.

Effects of Hydrocodone Overdose and Ceftriaxone on Astrocytic Glutamate Transporters and Glutamate Receptors, and Associated Signaling in Nucleus Accumbens as well as Locomotor Activity in C57/BL Mice.

Chronic opioid treatments dysregulate the glutamatergic system, inducing a hyperglutamatergic state in mesocorticolimbic brain regions. This study investigated the effects of exposure to hydrocodone overdose on locomotor activity, expression of target proteins related to the glutamatergic system, signaling kinases, and neuroinflammatory factors in the nucleus accumbens. The locomotor activity of mice was measured using the Comprehensive Laboratory Animal Monitoring System (CLAMS).

Comprehensive evaluation of T7 promoter for enhanced yield and quality in mRNA production.

The manufacturing of mRNA vaccines relies on cell-free based systems that are easily scalable and flexible compared with the traditional vaccine manufacturing processes. Typically, standard processes yield 2 to 5 g L of mRNA, with recent process optimisations increasing yields to 12 g L. However, increasing yields can lead to an increase in the production of unwanted by-products, namely dsRNA.

Effects of novel GLT-1 modulator, MC-100093, on neuroinflammatory and neurotrophic biomarkers in mesocorticolimbic brain regions of male alcohol preferring rats exposed chronically to ethanol.

Chronic ethanol consumption can lead to increased extracellular glutamate concentrations in key reward brain regions, such as medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc), and consequently leading to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Previous studies from our lab tested β-lactam antibiotics and novel beta-lactam non-antibiotic, MC-100093, and showed these β-lactam upregulated the major astrocytic glutamate transporter, GLT-1, and consequently reduced ethanol intake and normalized glutamate homeostasis. This present study tested the effects of novel synthetic β-lactam non-antibiotic drug, MC-100093, in chronic ethanol intake and neuroinflammatory and trophic factors in subregions of the NAc (NAc core and shell) and mPFC (Prelimbic, PL; and Infralimbic, IL) of male P rats.

Experiences of Indonesian people with dementia and carers undertaking an online-delivered exercise program.

Participating in physical activity is beneficial for older people with dementia. Little is known however about the perceptions of people living with dementia undertaking an online-delivered exercise program. This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of older people with dementia and their carers in Indonesia participating in an online-delivered exercise program, and factors that may influence acceptability to the program.

Editorial for the Special Issue: "Feature Papers in Drug Toxicity".

This editorial introduces the Special Issue "Feature Papers in Drug Toxicity" [...

Risk Factors of Recurrent Diabetic Foot Ulcers Based on the Delphi Method.

Background: The risk factors for recurrence are poorly understood. The purpose of study is to investigate the risk factors that contribute to the recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers.

Materials And Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, and the two-phase Delphi method was used.

Adolescent alcohol drinking interaction with the gut microbiome: implications for adult alcohol use disorder.

Reciprocal communication between the gut microbiota and the brain, commonly referred to as the "gut-brain-axis" is crucial in maintaining overall physiological homeostasis. Gut microbiota development and brain maturation (neuronal connectivity and plasticity) appear to be synchronized and to follow the same timeline during childhood (immature), adolescence (expansion) and adulthood (completion). It is important to note that the mesolimbic reward circuitry develops early on, whereas the maturation of the inhibitory frontal cortical neurons is delayed.