Lewy body diseases and the gut.

Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement in Lewy body diseases (LBDs) has been observed since the initial descriptions of patients by James Parkinson. Recent experimental and human observational studies raise the possibility that pathogenic alpha-synuclein (⍺-syn) might develop in the GI tract and subsequently spread to susceptible brain regions. The cellular and mechanistic origins of ⍺-syn propagation in disease are under intense investigation.

Enhancing the role of mass media in the translation of evidence from health policy and systems research in Nigeria.

Background: There are massive gaps in communication between health researchers and policy-makers in Nigeria, which constrains the use of research evidence for policy-making. Mass media can help in bridging the gaps, especially since the media has the reach and a reputation for presenting information in ways that elicit actions from the public and policy-makers.

Objective: There is a small body of emerging literature from Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, evidencing the usefulness of the media to encourage evidence translation in the health sector; and even evidence translation theories are light on dissemination.

Multi-ancestry genome-wide meta-analysis with 472,819 individuals identifies 32 novel risk loci for psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis is a common chronic, recurrent, immune-mediated disease involved in the skin or joints or both. However, deeper insight into the genetic susceptibility of psoriasis is still unclear.

Methods: Here we performed the largest multi-ancestry meta-analysis of genome-wide association study including 28,869 psoriasis cases and 443,950 healthy controls.

Bidirectional approach of Punica granatum natural compounds: reduction in lung cancer and SARS-CoV-2 propagation.

The spreading of COVID-19 has posed a risk to global health, especially for lung cancer patients. An investigation is needed to overcome the challenges of COVID-19 pathophysiology and lung cancer disease. This study was designed to evaluate the phytoconstituents in Punica granatum peel (PGP), its anti-lung cancer activity, and in silico evaluation for antiviral potential.

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of orthodontic bands after aging: an in-vitro study.

Background: This investigation sought to evaluate cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of two different types of orthodontic bands after aging in acidic and neutral artificial saliva using human gingival fibroblast-like (HGF1-PI 1) cell lines.

Methods: Two commercial brands of orthodontic molar bands (American orthodontic (AO) and 3 S-dental bands), commonly used by orthodontists, were tested. These bands were divided into four groups to examine the effects of aging following thermocycling, and pH variations (pH = 4.

A randomized double-blind clinical trial investigating the effects of ellagic acid on glycemic status, liver enzymes, and oxidative stress in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: It seems that oxidative stress is involved in the occurrence and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Considering the antioxidant features of Ellagic acid (EA), this study was designed to assess the effect of EA on some biochemical factors in patients with NAFLD.

Methods: In this clinical trial, 44 patients were selected based on including criteria and randomly received 180 mg of EA per day (n = 22) or placebo (n = 22) for 8 weeks.

Effects of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use on migraine - a critical review.

Background: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs are widely used and are among the most significant achievements of modern pharmacology. Their primary purpose is treating and preventing gastric acid-related disorders. Migraine and PPI intake are prevalent, and many people are affected by both.

C3AR1 as a target for preeclampsia: from bioinformatics and network pharmacology to experimental validation.

Background: Preeclampsia, characterized by hypertension and proteinuria during pregnancy, poses significant risks to both mother and fetus. The complement system's aberrant activation, notably the C3AR1, is important to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, although the precise mechanisms are not fully understood.

Materials And Methods: Utilizing the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) and Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB), we identified complement system targets associated with preeclampsia and environmental pollutants.

Enhancing individual glomerular filtration rate assessment: can we trust the equation? Development and validation of machine learning models to assess the trustworthiness of estimated GFR compared to measured GFR.

Background: Creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations are widely used in clinical practice but exhibit inherent limitations. On the other side, measuring GFR is time consuming and not available in routine clinical practice. We developed and validated machine learning models to assess the trustworthiness (i.

Genes related to neural tube defects and glioblastoma.

There are many similarities between early embryonic development and tumorigenesis. The occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs) and glioblastoma (GBM) are both related to the abnormal development of neuroectodermal cells. To obtain genes related to both NTDs and GBM, as well as small molecule drugs with potential clinical application value.

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 3 localized to primary endothelial cilia regulates blood pressure and cognition.

We previously demonstrated that the inability of primary endothelial cilia to sense fluid shear stress can lead to nitric oxide (NO) deficiency and cause hypertension (HTN). Decreased biosynthesis of NO contributes to cerebral amyloid angiopathy in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients through increased deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of HTN and AD are incompletely understood.

Scrutinizing the evidence of anthracene toxicity on adrenergic receptor beta-2 and its bioremediation by fungal manganese peroxidase via in silico approaches.

Exposure to anthracene can cause skin and eye irritation, respiratory issues, and potential long-term health risks, including carcinogenic effects. It is also toxic to aquatic and human life and has the potential for long-term environmental contamination. This study aims to alleviate the adverse environmental effects of anthracene through fungal degradation, focusing on bioremediation approaches using bioinformatics.

Essential oils modulate virulence phenotypes in a multidrug-resistant pyomelanogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolate.

Pyomelanogenic P. aeruginosa, frequently isolated from patients with urinary tract infections and cystic fibrosis, possesses the ability to withstand oxidative stress, contributing to virulence and resulting in persistent infections. Whole genome sequence analysis of U804, a pyomelanogenic, multidrug-resistant, clinical isolate, demonstrates the mechanism underlying pyomelanin overproduction.

Mitochondrial KMT9 methylates DLAT to control pyruvate dehydrogenase activity and prostate cancer growth.

Prostate cancer (PCa) growth depends on de novo lipogenesis controlled by the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). In this study, we identify lysine methyltransferase (KMT)9 as a regulator of PDC activity. KMT9 is localized in mitochondria of PCa cells, but not in mitochondria of other tumor cell types.

A study on the effect of blue light on kidney stone formation in rats via the brain-kidney axis.

Kidney stones, a common urological disease, may involve the brain-kidney axis in their formation, though the specific mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of blue light on relevant metabolic indicators and oxidative stress status in rats with kidney stones through the brain-kidney axis. A rat model of kidney stones was established by administering 1% ethylene glycol and 2% ammonium chloride.

Nuclear farnesoid X receptor protects against bone loss by driving osteoblast differentiation through stabilizing RUNX2.

The delicate balance between bone formation by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts maintains bone homeostasis. Nuclear receptors (NRs) are now understood to be crucial in bone physiology and pathology. However, the function of the Farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a member of the NR family, in regulating bone homeostasis remains incompletely understood.

Influence of plasma exosomes from women living with HIV Stratified by HAND on monocyte subpopulations from healthy women without HIV.

The role of plasma exosomes from people living with HIV (PLWH) with HAND in the phenotypic profile of uninfected monocytes remains unknown. We hypothesized that these exosomes influence the CD14/CD16 phenotypical profile of uninfected monocytes in a time-dependent manner. Exosomes were collected via ultracentrifugation from the plasma of women living with HIV (WLWH) and healthy controls stratified according to their cognition into normal cognition (NC) or symptomatic neurocognitive impairment (SNI) groups.

Branched-chain and Aromatic Amino Acids in Blood and Seminal Plasma are Associated with Sperm Parameters; A Practice within a Fertility Clinic Considering the Metabolic Syndrome.

The metabolomic approach has recently been used in the assessment of semen quality and male fertility. Additionally, the crucial roles of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and aromatic amino acids (AAAs) in metabolic syndrome (MetS) were reported. However, little information exists about the association between BCAAs and AAAs with semen parameters, particularly in men with and without MetS.

Efflux transporters in drug disposition during pregnancy.

Evidence-based dose selection of drugs in pregnant women has been lacking because of challenges in studying maternal-fetal pharmacokinetics. Hence, many drugs are administered off-label during pregnancy based on data obtained from nonpregnant women. During pregnancy, drug transporters play an important role in drug disposition along with known gestational age-dependent changes in physiology and drug-metabolizing enzymes.

Comparative analysis of the physiological and transport functions of various sources of renal proximal tubule cells under static and fluidic conditions in PhysioMimix T12 platform.

In vitro models that can faithfully replicate critical aspects of kidney tubule function such as directional drug transport are in high demand in pharmacology and toxicology. Accordingly, development and validation of new models is underway. The objective of this study was to characterize physiologic and transport functions of various sources of human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTECs).

Impact of genetic polymorphisms and drug-drug interactions mediated by carboxylesterase 1 on remimazolam deactivation.

Remimazolam (Byfavo, Acacia Pharma), a recent Food and Drug Administration-approved ester-linked benzodiazepine, offers advantages in sedation, such as rapid onset and predictable duration, making it suitable for broad anesthesia applications. Its favorable pharmacological profile is primarily attributed to rapid hydrolysis, the primary metabolism pathway for its deactivation. Thus, understanding remimazolam hydrolysis determinants is essential for optimizing its clinical use.

Impact of iron chelation with deferasirox on telomere length and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients: A randomized study.

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of deferasirox in patients in peritoneal dialysis, however, its effect has not been studied in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Objective: To investigate the impact of iron chelation on telomere length, oxidative stress, and ferritin levels in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods: This is an open-label study, with a control group of patients undergoing hemodialysis, who will receive treatment with deferasirox 15mg/kg/day for 6 months for iron chelation.

Efficacy and safety of anti-thrombotic therapy after surgical mitral valve repair: a scoping review.

Background: Mitral valve repair (MVr) is the gold standard treatment for degenerative mitral regurgitation, yet there is ongoing controversy regarding optimal anti-thrombotic therapy post-MVr. This scoping review aimed to summarise current evidence on the safety and efficacy of anti-thrombotic therapy after MVr, identify knowledge gaps and propose a future study design.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Clinicaltrials.

Impact of porcelain aorta on outcomes in transfemoral aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with balloon-expandable valves.

Background: Current guidelines recommend transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for patients with aortic stenosis and porcelain aorta (PA). Neurological outcomes of patients with PA undergoing TAVI with modern valves require clarification as most trials examined balloon-expandable valves (BEV) and self-expandable valves in intermediate or high-risk patients, but not specifically in patients with PA. Our aim was to compare outcomes, including stroke and mortality, in well-matched patients with and without PA who received BEV during transfemoral TAVI procedures.

Sacubitril/valsartan is associated with improvements in quality of life in adult congenital heart disease patients with systemic right ventricular failure.

Background: Short-term improvements in quality of life (QOL) have been reported in adult congenital heart disease patients with systemic right ventricle (sRV) failure after treatment with sacubitril/valsartan. This study aimed to evaluate the medium-term QOL changes in sRV failure patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan.

Methods: In this single-centre, prospective cohort study, patients with symptomatic sRV failure completed the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research/Academic Hospital Leiden Questionnaire for Adult's Health-Related Quality of Life (TAAQOL) at baseline and after starting treatment with sacubitril/valsartan.