Comparative Analysis of the Enzymatic, Coagulant, and Neuromuscular Activities of Two Variants of Venom and Antivenom Efficacy.

We compared the enzymatic, coagulant, and neuromuscular activities of two variants (yellow-CDRy and white-CDRw) of venom with a sample of (CDT) venom and examined their neutralization by antivenom against CDT venom. The venoms were screened for enzymatic and coagulant activities using standard assays, and electrophoretic profiles were compared by SDS-PAGE. Neutralization was assessed by preincubating venoms with crotalic antivenom and assaying the residual activity.

Multi-Omics and Network-Based Drug Repurposing for Septic Cardiomyopathy.

Background/objectives: Septic cardiomyopathy (SCM) is a severe cardiac complication of sepsis, characterized by cardiac dysfunction with limited effective treatments. This study aimed to identify repurposable drugs for SCM by integrated multi-omics and network analyses.

Methods: We generated a mouse model of SCM induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and then obtained comprehensive metabolic and genetic data from SCM mouse hearts using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq).

Astrocytic HIV-1 Nef Expression Decreases Glutamate Transporter Expression in the Nucleus Accumbens and Increases Cocaine-Seeking Behavior in Rats.

Background/objectives: Cocaine use disorder is an intersecting issue in populations with HIV-1, further exacerbating the clinical course of the disease and contributing to neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation. Cocaine and HIV neurotoxins play roles in neuronal damage during neuroHIV progression by disrupting glutamate homeostasis in the brain. Even with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), HIV-1 Nef, an early viral protein expressed in approximately 1% of infected astrocytes, remains a key neurotoxin.

GnRH Peptide Antagonist: Comparative Analysis of Chemistry and Formulation with Implications for Clinical Safety and Efficacy.

Overexpression of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R) plays a vital role in the advancement of reproductive malignancies such as ovarian, endometrial, and prostate cancer. Peptidomimetic GnRH antagonists are a substantial therapeutic development, providing fast and reversible suppression of gonadotropins by directly blocking GnRH-R. Unlike typical GnRH agonists, these antagonists prevent the early hormonal flare, have a faster onset of action, and have a lower risk of cardiovascular problems.

Heart Failure in Elderly Patients: Medical Management, Therapies and Biomarkers.

Heart failure (HF) is a common condition and one of the main morbidity and mortality factors in elderly patients. The incidence of HF progressively increases with age, reaching >10% in those aged 70 years or over. In the elderly population, both the diagnosis and the management of HF prove challenging, often requiring specialized care and a multidisciplinary approach.

Benn. Attenuates Monosodium Urate-Induced Gouty Arthritis: A Network Pharmacology Investigation of Its Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms.

Monosodium urate crystal accumulation in the joints is the cause of gout, an inflammatory arthritis that is initiated by elevated serum uric acid levels. It is the most prevalent form of inflammatory arthritis, affecting millions worldwide, and requires effective treatments. The necessity for alternatives with fewer side effects is underscored by the frequent adverse effects of conventional therapies, such as urate-lowering drugs.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant Properties and Biological Effects of a Novel Combined Barberry Root-Propolis Extract on HEK293T Cells.

The health benefits of honeybee products and herbs are well known, and their appropriate combination may enhance their biological efficacy. This study investigated the biological properties of a combined barberry root and propolis extract (PBE) in comparison to a propolis extract (PE), a barberry root extract (BE), and pure berberine (BN). The antioxidant properties were evaluated using DPPH and FRAP methods and total phenolic contents (TPC) were assessed by the Folin-Ciocalteu method.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns and Virulence Profiles of Classical and Hypervirulent Strains Isolated from Clinical Samples in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

The emergence of hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant hypermucoviscous strains presents a significant public health challenge due to their increased virulence and resistance to multiple antibiotics. This study evaluates the antibiotic susceptibility patterns and virulence profiles of classical and hypervirulent strains isolated from various clinical samples. A total of 500 clinical samples were collected from patients at the Mardan Medical Complex and Ayub Medical Complex in KPK between July 2022 and June 2024.

Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid as an Antimicrobial Agent in Orthopedics-An In Vitro Study About the Race for Surface.

Background: The burden of prosthetic joint infection in combination with antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains is a rising dilemma for patients experiencing total joint replacements. Around 0.8-2% of patients experience prosthetic joint infections, while up to 21% of patients are considered fatal cases after 5 years.

Detection and Whole-Genome Characteristics of Isolated from Captive Snakes.

is a rare member of the genus , primarily associated with human wound infections rather than respiratory diseases. The bacterium has been isolated from various clinical specimens, including ear inflammatory discharge, diabetic ulcers, and chronic wounds. The study aimed to characterize the genomes and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of obtained from the fecal samples of asymptomatic highland eyelash pit vipers ().

Comparative Analysis of Clinical Characteristics and Antimicrobial Resistance Between and Other Species.

species are major pathogens responsible for hospital-acquired infections. This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and antimicrobial resistance between (AB) and non- (NBA) species. In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from adult patients (aged 18 or older) with bacteremia treated at two tertiary hospitals from July 2020 to November 2023.

Revolutionizing Cardiology: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Echocardiography.

Artificial intelligence (AI) in echocardiography represents a transformative advancement in cardiology, addressing longstanding challenges in cardiac diagnostics. Echocardiography has traditionally been limited by operator-dependent variability and subjective interpretation, which impact diagnostic reliability. This study evaluates the role of AI, particularly machine learning (ML), in enhancing the accuracy and consistency of echocardiographic image analysis and its potential to complement clinical expertise.

Alcohol, Tobacco and Illicit Drug Use During Pregnancy in the Longitudinal BELpREG Cohort in Belgium Between 2022 and 2024.

Substance use during pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes for both mother and child. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use before and during pregnancy in Belgium. An observational study was conducted using data from the longitudinal BELpREG registry.

Relationship of Thyroid Volume and Function with Carotid and Femoral Intima-Media Thickness in Euthyroid People Aged 18-65 Taking into Account the Impact of Diabetes, Hypertension, and Excess Body Mass.

The interrelationship of thyroid volume and function with features of cardiovascular dysfunction has already been investigated but some aspects remain unclear, especially in terms of subclinical cardiovascular dysfunction in euthyroid patients. Intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement in ultrasound B-mode imaging in different vascular beds (most frequently within the common carotid artery) is one of the most important tools for the detection of subclinical atherosclerosis in both clinical practice and research. This article aimed to present the results of our research on the association between the thyroid evaluation parameters and the IMT measured in both the carotid and femoral arteries in euthyroid patients aged 18 to 65 years taking into account the influence of diabetes, hypertension, and excess body mass.

Diagnostic Challenges of Medullary Carcinoma of the Small Intestine During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

: Medullary carcinoma of the small intestine is an exceptionally rare subtype of gastrointestinal cancer, characterized by its solid growth pattern and lack of glandular structures, which complicate timely diagnosis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, diagnostic delays for rare cancers became increasingly common due to the prioritization of COVID-related cases and patient reluctance to seek medical attention. : We present the case of a 70-year-old male initially misdiagnosed with COVID-19, whose persistent symptoms led to the eventual discovery of medullary carcinoma.

Peptide with Dual Roles in Immune and Metabolic Regulation: Liver-Expressed Antimicrobial Peptide-2 (LEAP-2).

Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP-2) was originally discovered as an antimicrobial peptide that plays a vital role in the host innate immune system of various vertebrates. Recent research discovered LEAP-2 as an endogenous antagonist and inverse agonist of the GHSR1a receptor. By acting as a competitive antagonist to ghrelin, LEAP-2 influences energy balance and metabolic processes via the ghrelin-GHSR1a signaling pathway.

Phenolic and Iridoid Glycosides from L. and Their Effects on the α, δ, and γ Subtypes of the PPAR System-Including the Discovery of the Novel Phenylethanoid Cardiaphenyloside A and the Most Active 7-Chloro-6-desoxy-harpagide.

L. is known in Europe for its cardioactivity-also in interrelation with known risk factors of the metabolic syndrome-just as Houtt. in East Asia; however, up to now, no active constituents could be identified.

Trifolirhizin: A Phytochemical with Multiple Pharmacological Properties.

Trifolirhizin is an important flavonoid glycoside reported from the roots of medicinal plants such as Astragalus membranaceus, Sophora tonkinensis, Ononis vaginalis, Euchresta formosana, Sophora Subprostrate, Ononis spinose, and Sophora flavescens. It is considered one of the important constituents responsible for the various medicinal properties of these medicinal plants. Studies have revealed the multiple pharmacological properties of trifolirhizin: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-ulcerative colitis, antiasthma, hepatoprotective, osteogenic, skin-whitening, wound-healing, and anticancer (against various types of cancers).

Antiviral Activity and Underlying Mechanism of Aqueous Extract for Treating SARS-CoV-2.

Despite the widespread use of COVID-19 vaccines, there is still a global need to find effective therapeutics to deal with the variants of SARS-CoV-2. (MH) is a herbal medicine credited with antiviral effects. This study aims to investigate the antiviral effects and the underlying mechanism of aqueous extract of (AEMH) for treating SARS-CoV-2.

Bioactive Fused Pyrazoles Inspired by the Adaptability of 5-Aminopyrazole Derivatives: Recent Review.

Heterocyclic compounds, especially those containing the pyrazole moiety, are highly significant in organic chemistry and possess remarkable and diverse biological properties. The 5-aminopyrazole derivatives are key starting materials for the synthesis of numerous bioactive compounds such as pyrazolopyridine, pyrazolopyrimidine, pyrazoloquinazoline, and pyrazolotriazine derivatives. Many compounds inspired by the 5-aminopyrazole derivatives possess a wide spectrum of biological activities and medicinal applications such as antioxidants, anticancer agents, enzyme inhibitors, antimicrobials, and anti-tuberculosis activities.

Research Progress on the Structure and Function, Immune Escape Mechanism, Antiviral Drug Development Methods, and Clinical Use of SARS-CoV-2 M.

The three-year COVID-19 pandemic 'has' caused a wide range of medical, social, political, and financial implications. Since the end of 2020, various mutations and variations in SARS-CoV-2 strains, along with the immune escape phenomenon, have emerged. There is an urgent need to identify a relatively stable target for the development of universal vaccines and drugs that can effectively combat both SARS-CoV-2 strains and their mutants.

Insights into the Mode of Action of Novel Morpholinated Curcumin Derivatives Exhibiting Potent Antitumor Activity in Bladder Cancer Cells In Vitro.

Although curcumin is a well-known natural polyphenol with many biological activities, its clinical application has been limited by low aqueous solubility and stability. Therefore, curcumin derivatives have been proposed to overcome these limitations and increase anticancer activity. This study tested curcumin derivatives with modified feruloyl moieties ( and ) and the β-diketo moiety () to better understand their anticancer mechanism against human bladder cancer cells.

Radiocobalt-Labeling of a Polypyridylamine Chelate Conjugated to GE11 for EGFR-Targeted Theranostics.

The overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in certain types of prostate cancers and glioblastoma makes it a promising target for targeted radioligand therapy. In this context, pairing an EGFR-targeting peptide with the emerging theranostic pair comprising the Auger electron emitter cobalt-58m (Co) and the Positron Emission Tomography-isotope cobalt-55 (Co) would be of great interest for creating novel radiopharmaceuticals for prostate cancer and glioblastoma theranostics. In this study, GE11 (YHWYGYTPQNVI) was investigated for its EGFR-targeting potential when conjugated using click chemistry to N1-((triazol-4-yl)methyl)-N1,N2,N2-tris(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (TZTPEN).

Is Efficient Against Sepsis? A Comparative Study of Amifostine Versus Pomegranate.

Sepsis is a clinical condition causing tissue damage as a result of infection and an exaggerated immune response. Sepsis causes 11 million deaths annually, a third of which are associated with acute lung injury (ALI). Rapid and effective treatment is crucial to improve survival rates.

The Protective Effect of Nimodipine in Schwann Cells Is Related to the Upregulation of LMO4 and SERCA3 Accompanied by the Fine-Tuning of Intracellular Calcium Levels.

Nimodipine is the current gold standard in the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage, as it is the only known calcium channel blocker that has been proven to improve neurological outcomes. In addition, nimodipine exhibits neuroprotective properties in vitro under various stress conditions. Furthermore, clinical studies have demonstrated a neuroprotective effect of nimodipine after vestibular schwannoma surgery.