Effect of Pilates exercises on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in women: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is challenging, calling for therapeutic strategies other than pharmacological treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of Pilates exercises on IBS symptoms and severity, frequency of complete spontaneous bowel movements, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and body weight in women with IBS.

Methods: Sixty women with IBS, aged 20-45, completed this study.

Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Enterovirulent Isolates Harboring Broad-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Genes in Cancer Patients at the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, Littoral Region, Cameroon.

Cases of antibiotic-resistant () infections are becoming increasingly frequent and represent a major threat to our ability to treat cancer patients. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance threatens the treatment of infections. In this study, the antimicrobial profiles, virulent genes, and the frequency of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) gene carriage in fecal isolates from cancer patients at the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala (Cameroon) were determined.

Is CT pulmonary angiography overutilized in the evaluation of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism? A retrospective study.

Introduction: Despite the high mortality rate of acute untreated pulmonary embolism (PE) at 30%, diagnosing PE is challenging. While the prevalence of PE has decreased in recent years, the overuse of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) remains a concern. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides guidelines using the Wells score for PE assessment.

Toward alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay in clinical practice.

Introduction: Seed amplification assays (SAAs) demonstrate remarkable diagnostic performance in alpha-synucleinopathies. However, existing protocols lack accessibility in routine laboratories, mainly due to the requirement for in-house production of recombinant alpha-synuclein (aSyn). This study proposes a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) aSyn-SAA protocol using solely commercial reagents to facilitate its clinical implementation.

PD-L1 as a Biomarker in Gastric Cancer Immunotherapy.

Combining chemotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) that target the programmed death-1 (PD-1) protein has been shown to be a clinically effective first-line treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative and -positive advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC). Currently, PD-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy are the standard treatment for patients with HER2-negative/positive locally advanced or metastatic GC. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, as assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC), is a crucial biomarker for predicting response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents in various solid tumors, including GC.

Oxidised Apolipoprotein Peptidome Characterises Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

Background: Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) encompasses a spectrum of histological conditions ranging from simple steatosis to fibrosing steatohepatitis, and is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). While oxidised apolipoproteins A and B have been linked to obesity and CVD, the association between other oxidised apolipoproteins and MASLD is yet to be established. To fill this gap, we characterised the circulating serum peptidome of patients with MASLD.

Resorcinol-based Bolaamphiphilic Quaternary Ammonium Compounds.

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) play crucial disinfectant roles in healthcare, industry, and domestic settings. Most commercially utilized QACs like benzalkonium chloride have a common architectural theme, leading to a rise in bacterial resistance and urgent need for novel structural classes. Some potent QACs such as chlorhexidine (CHX) and octenidine (OCT) feature a bolaamphiphilic architecture, comprised of two cationic centers at the molecular periphery and a non-polar region connecting them; these compounds show promise to elude bacterial resistance mechanisms.

Cyto-Genotoxic Assessment of Sulfoxaflor in Allium cepa Root Cells and DNA Docking Studies.

Sulfoxaflor (SFX) is an insecticide that is commonly used for the control of sap-feeding insects. Since SFX is extensively applied globally, it has been implicated in the substantial induction of environmental toxicity. Therefore, in this study, Allium cepa roots have been employed to elucidate the potential cytogenotoxic effects of SFX in non-target cells by examination of mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations (CAs), and DNA damage.

Halophyte-based crop managements induce biochemical, metabolomic and proteomic changes in tomato plants under saline conditions.

Halophytes display distinctive physiological mechanisms that enable their survival and growth under extreme saline conditions. This makes them potential candidates for their use in saline agriculture. In this research, tomato (Solanum lycopersium Mill.

Marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve - anatomical peculiarities and clinical aspects.

Background: The expanding number of parotid ablations, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeries of the head and neck, considerably increased the risk of the marginal mandibular branch (MMB) injury. The purpose of our study was to determine the anatomical peculiarities of the MMB depending on the facial nerve branching pattern (FNBP), gender and cephalometric type.

Materials And Methods: The MMB was dissected on 75 hemiheads of adult embalmed cadavers.

Sprayed Aqueous Microdroplets for Spontaneous Synthesis of Functional Microgels.

The development of sustainable synthesis route to produce functional and bioactive polymer colloids has attracted much attention. Most strategies are based on the polymerization of monomers or crosslinking of prepolymers by enzyme- or cell-mediated reactions or specific catalysts in confined emulsions. Herein, a facile solution spray method was developed for spontaneous synthesis of microgels without use of confined emulsion, additional initiators/catalysts and deoxygenation, which addresses the challenges in traditional microgel synthesis.

"Chance and Necessity" on the Molecular Evolution of REV3 (a Catalytic Subunit of DNA Polymerase ζ)-The Dual Roles of Translesion and Neuronal Extension.

Catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase ζ (REV3), involved in translesion-replication is evolutionarily conserved from yeast and plants to higher eukaryotes. However, a large intermediate domain is inserted in REV3 of humans and mice. The domain has "DUF4683" region, which is significantly similar to human neurite extension and migration factor (NEXMIF).

Multi-Targeting Macrocyclic Peptides as Nanomolar Inhibitors of Self- and Cross-Seeded Amyloid Self-Assembly of α-Synuclein.

Amyloid self-assembly of α-synuclein (αSyn) is linked to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has recently emerged as a risk factor for PD. Cross-interactions between their amyloidogenic proteins may act as molecular links.

Application of Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis and Elucidation of Relevant Mechanisms.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, non-specific intestinal disease of unknown etiology, with high incidence rates worldwide. At present, Western medicine treatments have been associated with more adverse effects and poor efficacy. Chinese medicine (CM) is commonly used as an adjuvant treatment for the unique advantages in regulating immune function, repairing intestinal mucosa, and alleviating intestinal inflammation.

Boric acid impedes glioblastoma growth in a rat model: insights from multi-approach analysis.

Limited advancements in managing malignant brain tumors have resulted in poor prognoses for glioblastoma (GBM) patients. Standard treatment involves surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, which lack specificity and damage healthy brain tissue. Boron-containing compounds, such as boric acid (BA), exhibit diverse biological effects, including anticancer properties.

Dietary deacetylated chitin nanoparticles confer protection against diazinon toxicity in male African catfish: evaluation of immune-biochemical, antioxidant, and reproductive profiles.

Currently, deacetylated chitin (chitosan) nanoparticles (CNPs) are successfully utilized in aquaculture practices. This trial demonstrates the efficacy of CNPs in combating diazinon (DZN) toxicity in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, via monitoring hepato-renal function, serum immune trait, hormonal function, and hepato-renal antioxidant activity. Four groups were allocated as follows: a control group, a CNPs group (0.

A comparative study of human amniotic membrane, tilapia skin collagen, and Centella asiatica derived gel to treat burn wound in rat model.

In the quest for an ideal wound healing material, human amniotic membrane (AM), tilapia skin collagen (TSC), and Centella asiatica (CA) have been studied separately for their healing potential. In this study, we formulated AM, TSC, and CA gel and studied their competency and wound healing efficacy in vivo. Gel was formulated using AM, TSC, CA, Carbopol 934, acrylic acid, glycerine, and triethanolamine and physicochemical properties e.

From Gut to Brain: The Impact of Short-Chain Fatty Acids on Brain Cancer.

The primary source of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), now recognized as critical mediators of host health, particularly in the context of neurobiology and cancer development, is the gut microbiota's fermentation of dietary fibers. Recent research highlights the complex influence of SCFAs, such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate, on brain cancer progression. These SCFAs impact immune modulation and the tumor microenvironment, particularly in brain tumors like glioma.

Systematical identification of regulatory GPCRs by single-cell trajectory inference reveals the role of ADGRD1 and GPR39 in adipogenesis.

Adipogenesis is the healthy expansion of white adipose tissue (WAT), serving as a compensatory response to maintain metabolic homeostasis in the presence of excess energy in the body. Therefore, the identification of novel regulatory molecules in adipogenesis, specifically membrane receptors such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), holds significant clinical promise. These receptors can serve as viable targets for pharmaceuticals, offering potential for restoring metabolic homeostasis in individuals with obesity.

Aβ42 biomarker linked to insula, striatum, thalamus and claustrum in dementia with Lewy bodies.

The differential mechanisms between proteinopathies and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) remain unclear. To address this issue, we conducted a voxel-based morphometry and cerebrospinal fluid biomarker (α-synuclein, Aβ42, t-Tau and p-Tau) level correlation study in patients with DLB, AD and mixed cases (AD + DLB). Cerebrospinal fluid samples obtained by lumbar puncture and whole-brain T1-weighted images were collected in the AlphaLewyMA cohort.

Therapeutic potential of stromal vascular fraction in early diabetic nephrotoxicity: a histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analysis in type 2 diabetes rat model.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a common complication of type 2 diabetes (T2D), significantly contributes to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Despite conventional treatments aimed at slowing disease progression, there is a pressing need for novel therapies. This study evaluates the potential therapeutic impact of adipose tissue derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) on early diabetic nephrotoxicity in a rat model.

Comparing the Effect of Heat Therapy and Mitochondrial-Targeted Antioxidants in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Phenotype Induced by Junk Food Consumption.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine-metabolic disorder, and multiple factors contribute to its pathophysiology. The current study assessed a PCOS-like animal model induced by consuming a high-fat sugar (HFHS) diet and compared the treatment outcome of mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants versus heat therapy. Sixty rats were divided into the following study groups: three control groups (negative and positive for the treatments used), HFHS, hot tub therapy (HTT) treatment, and MitoQ10 treatment (500 µmol/L MitoQ10 in clean drinking water daily, from week fourteen till week twenty-two of the study).

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (G8790A) Gene Polymorphism as a Risk Factor for COVID-19 in Egyptian Children and Adolescents.

Objective: Recently, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene has emerged as a potential candidate gene for susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. We investigated whether ACE2 G8790A (rs2285666) polymorphism could be a genetic marker for susceptibility to COVID-19 and disease severity in Egyptian children and adolescents.

Methods: This was a prospective case-control study included 580 cases diagnosed with COVID-19, and 580 matched control children and adolescents.

Phosphoproteomics for studying signaling pathways evoked by hormones of the renin-angiotensin system: A source of untapped potential.

The Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) is a complex neuroendocrine system consisting of a single precursor protein, angiotensinogen (AGT), which is processed into various peptide hormones, including the angiotensins [Ang I, Ang II, Ang III, Ang IV, Ang-(1-9), Ang-(1-7), Ang-(1-5), etc] and Alamandine-related peptides [Ang A, Alamandine, Ala-(1-5)], through intricate enzymatic pathways. Functionally, the RAS is divided into two axes with opposing effects: the classical axis, primarily consisting of Ang II acting through the AT receptor (ATR), and in contrast the protective axis, which includes the receptors Mas, ATR and MrgD and their respective ligands. A key area of RAS research is to gain a better understanding how signaling cascades elicited by these receptors lead to either "classical" or "protective" effects, as imbalances between the two axes can contribute to disease.