Focal Adhesion Regulation as a Strategy against Kidney Fibrosis.

Chronic kidney fibrosis poses a significant global health challenge with effective therapeutic strategies remaining elusive. While cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions are known to drive fibrosis progression, the specific role of focal adhesions (FAs) in kidney fibrosis is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the role of FAs in kidney tubular epithelial cell fibrosis by employing precise nanogold patterning to modulate integrin distribution.

Nitroglycerine for retained placenta: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of nitroglycerine on placenta delivery after retained placenta DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, PROSPERO, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, EMBASE, Sciencedirect, the Cochrane Library, Scielo were searched from their inception until February 2024.

Eligibility Criteria For Selecting Studies: We included all randomized clinical trials comparing use of nitroglycerine (i.

Endothelial cell (EC)-specific CTGF/CCN2 Expression Increases EC Reprogramming and Atherosclerosis.

Arterial endothelial cells (ECs) reside in a complex biomechanical environment. ECs sense and respond to wall shear stress. Low and oscillatory wall shear stress is characteristic of disturbed flow and commonly found at arterial bifurcations and around atherosclerotic plaques.

Identifying public health competencies for Australian pharmacists: A modified Delphi study.

Objective: This study aimed to define a set of competencies for public health-related services and activities for pharmacists in Australia.

Methods: A modified Delphi technique of two rounds was used to gain consensus by public health and pharmacy professionals on a set of public health competency statements for Australian pharmacists.

Results: Delphi panellists agreed on the inclusion of 27 competency statements organised into three domains of health promotion and illness prevention, health protection and population health quality improvement.

Synthesis and biological assessment of BUB1B inhibitors for the treatment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) presents substantial therapeutic challenges due to its molecular heterogeneity, limited response to conventional therapies, and widespread drug resistance. Recent advancements in molecular research have identified novel targets, such as BUB1B, which has been identified through global transcriptomic profiling and gene co-expression network analysis as critical in ccRCC progression. In this study, we synthesized 40 novel derivatives of TG-101209 to modulate BUB1B expression and activity, leading to the induction of apoptosis in Caki-1 cells.

Nonpharmacological Management of Dental Anxiety in the General Population and Individuals With Learning Disabilities: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Aims: Dental anxiety (DA) is reported among the general population, including individuals with learning disabilities (LDs). In many studies, nonpharmacological interventions have been applied to significantly improve DA among patients. This study aimed to examine publication trends and patterns in both populations to identify the current research trends and literature gaps.

Patterns and trends in burden of asthma and its attributable risk factors from 1990 to 2021 among south Asian countries: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Objective: Asthma poses a significant health burden in South Asia, with increasing incidence and mortality despite a global decline in age-standardized prevalence rates. This study aims to analyze asthma trends from 1990 to 2021, focusing on prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) across South Asia. The study also assesses the impact of risk factors like high body mass index (BMI), smoking, and occupational exposures on asthma outcomes.

Effectiveness of Occlusal Splints in the Management of Temporomandibular Disorders: Comparisons of Treatment Approaches and Digital Versus Conventional Fabrication Techniques.

This research explores the types and effectiveness of occlusal splints in managing temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). TMDs encompass a range of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions affecting the jaw, causing pain, limited movement, and discomfort. Occlusal splints, also known as bite guards, are commonly used in dentistry to alleviate TMD symptoms by relaxing jaw muscles, preventing joint trauma, and protecting teeth.

Oral Blue Nevus of the Lingual Gingiva: A Case Report.

Oral melanocytic nevi (OMN) are rare benign tumors originating from melanocytes with an unclear pathogenesis. The current theory suggests that OMN originate from dormant dendritic melanocytes that become enclosed in the dermis during the embryonic migration of melanoblasts - the precursors of melanocytes - from the neural crest to the epidermis. OMN can be congenital or acquired, with acquired nevi being more common.

Promotion of Cardiovascular Health in Africa: The Alliance for Medical Research in Africa (AMedRA) Expert Panel.

This proposed scientific statement is focused on providing new insights regarding challenges and opportunities for cardiovascular health (CVH) promotion in Africa. The statement includes an overview of the current state of CVH in Africa, with a particular interest in the cardiometabolic risk factors and their evaluation through metrics. The statement also explains the main principles of primordial prevention, its relevance in reducing noncommunicable disease and the different strategies that have been effective worldwide.

Temporomandibular disorders: A new list of key points to summarize the standard of care.

This letter is being sent to editors of major dental journals around the world. Attached to it is an Announcement that summarizes a recently published position paper which deals with the topic of standards of care for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs). That paper, entitled "Temporomandibular disorders: INfORM/IADR key points for good clinical practice based on standard of care", was developed by a group of expert researchers and clinicians over a one-year period.

Comparative Evaluation of Deciduous and Permanent Coronal Caries Using Polarizing Light Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy.

Dental caries causes mineral loss and organic damage to teeth. Understanding caries and dentin pulp reactions is crucial for effective caries management strategies. There is a lack of knowledge regarding the microscopic and ultramicroscopic changes that occur during caries destruction and reactive changes.

Effectiveness of Acetazolamide in Patients With Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of acetazolamide as an adjunctive diuretic therapy in acute heart failure (AHF) patients. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus, identifying seven studies (five randomized controlled trials and two observational studies) that met the eligibility criteria. The analysis revealed that acetazolamide significantly enhanced mean natriuresis (mean differences (MD) 52.

A Prospective Study of a Custom-Made Eco-Friendly Thyroid Shield: A Breakthrough in Radiation Protection.

Background The thyroid gland is the most susceptible organ to radiation during the exposure of teeth because the thyroid area appears to be within the primary beam, and the dose levels are relatively high even after using collimation. This study aims to develop an eco-friendly thyroid shield by reusing lead foils from intra-oral periapical radiographic films and evaluate its effectiveness in intraoral radiography. Methods A total of 16 patients undergoing endodontic procedures who gave written consent to participate in the study were included and divided into four categories: anterior, canine, premolar, and molar.

Endogenous C-type natriuretic peptide offsets the pathogenesis of steatohepatitis, hepatic fibrosis, and portal hypertension.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), hepatic fibrosis, and portal hypertension constitute an increasing public health problem due to the growing prevalence of obesity and diabetes. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is an endogenous regulator of cardiovascular homeostasis, immune cell reactivity, and fibrotic disease. Thus, we investigated a role for CNP in the pathogenesis of MASLD.

Multi-omics characterization of improved cognitive functions in Parkinson's disease patients after the combined metabolic activator treatment: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase II trial.

Parkinson's disease is primarily marked by mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic abnormalities. We recently reported that the combined metabolic activators improved the immunohistochemical parameters and behavioural functions in Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease animal models and the cognitive functions in Alzheimer's disease patients. These metabolic activators serve as the precursors of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and glutathione, and they can be used to activate mitochondrial metabolism and eventually treat mitochondrial dysfunction.

Predicting Success: The Crucial Role of Preoperative Data in Refractive Surgery Outcomes.

Refractive surgery, which includes techniques such as Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) and Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE), has revolutionized ophthalmology by offering advanced solutions for vision correction. However, the choice of the technique to be used in the individual patient is highly dependent on a thorough preoperative evaluation. This retrospective study aims to investigate how preoperative parameters, including corneal thickness, topography, and refraction, affect long-term post-operative clinical outcomes.

Sequence and Chronology of Permanent Teeth Eruption in 5-18-Year-Old School Children of Chennai and the Influence of Sex, BMI, and Socio-Economic Status.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the sequence and eruption chronology of permanent teeth in school children and adolescents of Chennai and compare the findings with an existing standard table. Additionally, the study also attempted to explore the influence of sex, body mass index (BMI), and socioeconomic status (SES) on tooth eruption patterns.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed, and 12,650 children aged 5-18 years were selected from thirty-five schools using a multistage random sampling method.

Promoting Angiogenesis/Osteogenesis by a New Copper/Magnesium Hydroxide Hybrid Nanoparticle: In Vitro and In Vivo Investigation.

In this study, a new hybrid nanoparticle composed of magnesium hydroxide and copper oxide (Mg(OH)/CuO) with an optimized ratio of magnesium (Mg) to copper (Cu) was designed and incorporated into a 3D-printed scaffold made of polycaprolactone (PCL) and gelatin. These hybrid nanostructures (MCNs) were prepared using a green, solvent-free method. Their topography, surface morphology, and structural properties were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Fabrication and characterization of 3D-printed polymeric-based scaffold coated with bioceramic and naringin for a potential use in dental pulp regeneration (in vitro study).

Aim: 3D-printed scaffolds loaded with healing directed agents could be employed for better treatment outcome in regenerative dentistry. The aim of this study was to fabricate and characterize simple 3D-printed poly lactic acid (PLA) scaffolds coated with nanoHydroxyapatite (nHA), Naringin (NAR), or their combination, and testing their morphological, chemical, mechanical, antibacterial, biocompatible and bioactive properties.

Methodology: Two variants pore sizes, 300 and 700 μm, of 3D-printed PLA disc scaffolds measuring (10 × 1 mm) were fabricated.

Evaluating catastrophic health expenditures among patients with long bone fractures in Ghana's major teaching hospitals: a hospital-based analysis.

Background: In low and middle-income countries like Ghana, out-of-pocket (OOP) payments remain a significant barrier to healthcare access, often leading to catastrophic health expenditures (CHE). This study evaluates the incidence of CHE among patients treated for long bone fractures at Ghana's major teaching hospitals, providing insight into the economic burdens faced by these patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 2,980 patients with long bone fractures treated at four major teaching hospitals in Ghana from July 2017 to July 2020.

Ethical dilemmas concerning orthodontic treatment among orthodontists in a sample from Saudi Arabia: a pilot study.

Background: Ethics is based on moral principles that should be the foundation for every healthcare decision, however, ethical concepts can often be challenging to define in specific clinical scenarios. There are several instances where a practising clinician often finds it difficult to make a proper decision despite maintaining integrity and professionalism. The objective of the present study was to explore the ethical dilemma faced by orthodontists practicing in Saudi Arabia concerning orthodontic treatment.

Accuracy evaluation and clinical realization of digital interproximal enamel reduction for orthodontics: a case study.

Objective: This study presents a novel digital interproximal enamel reduction (IER) clinical procedure, aiming to improve the effectiveness of IER processes in orthodontic treatment.

Methods: A malocclusion case of skeletal-class I and angle-class I was selected for the experimental investigation. A three-dimensional (3D) model of the dentition was constructed using scanning data from a plaster model.

Comparative color stability assessment of orthodontic clear aligners: an in vitro study.

Objective To evaluate the stain resistance and color stability of four Clear aligners (CA) brands against various beverages at different intervals, along with assessing the elaboration of cleaning agents. Methods In a strictly controlled lab environment, 48 CAs from four different companies (Invisalign, EON, Clear Cap, and K clear) were immersed for seven days in six different beverages based on their pH (Pepsi, orange juice, milk, coffee, and black tea), as well as a control solution (distilled water). The VITA Easy-Shade compact colorimeter used the Commission International lightening L*a*b* color scheme to evaluate the color change of the aligners at four intervals.