Characterization of lamotrigine disposition changes during and after pregnancy in women with epilepsy.

Background: Lamotrigine clearance can change drastically in pregnant women with epilepsy (PWWE) making it difficult to assess the need for dosing adjustments. Our objective was to characterize lamotrigine pharmacokinetics in PWWE during pregnancy and postpartum along with a control group of nonpregnant women with epilepsy (NPWWE).

Methods: The Maternal Outcomes and Neurodevelopmental Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs (MONEAD) study was a prospective, observational, 20 site, cohort study conducted in the United States (December 2012 and February 2016).

Bisubstrate Analog Inhibitors of DXP Synthase Show Species Specificity.

1-Deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXPS) is a unique thiamin diphosphate (ThDP)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the formation of DXP, a branchpoint metabolite required for the biosynthesis of vitamins and isoprenoids in bacterial pathogens. DXPS has relaxed substrate specificity and utilizes a gated mechanism, equipping DXPS to sense and respond to diverse substrates. We speculate that pathogens utilize this distinct gated mechanism in different ways to support metabolic adaptation during infection.

Elucidating the mechanism of stigmasterol in acute pancreatitis treatment: insights from network pharmacology and / experiments.

Introduction: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe inflammatory disease of the pancreas that could trigger a systemic inflammation and multi-organ dysfunction. Stigmasterol, a natural plant sterol found in various herbs and vegetables, exhibits a significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cholesterol-lowering effects. However, its therapeutic potential in AP have not been thoroughly investigated.

Chronic nicotine exposure induces molecular and transcriptomic endophenotypes associated with mood and anxiety disorders in a cerebral organoid neurodevelopmental model.

Introduction: Prenatal nicotine exposure (PNE) from maternal smoking disrupts regulatory processes vital to fetal development. These changes result in long-term behavioral impairments, including mood and anxiety disorders, that manifest later in life. However, the relationship underlying PNE, and the underpinnings of mood and anxiety molecular and transcriptomic phenotypes remains elusive.

Platelets as crucial players in the dynamic interplay of inflammation, immunity, and cancer: unveiling new strategies for cancer prevention.

Inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of various diseases by promoting the acquisition of new functional traits by different cell types. Shared risk factors between cardiovascular disease and cancer, including smoking, obesity, diabetes, high-fat diet, low physical activity, and alcohol consumption, contribute to inflammation linked to platelet activation. Platelets contribute to an inflammatory state by activating various normal cells, such as fibroblasts, immune cells, and vascular cells.

Can there be calm during a cytokine storm? Immune checkpoint pathways affecting the severity of COVID-19 disease.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has become a global health crisis, eliciting varying severity in infected individuals. This study aimed to explore the immune profiles between moderate and severe COVID-19 patients experiencing a cytokine storm and their association with mortality. This study highlights the role of PD-1/PD-L1 and the TIGIT/CD226/CD155/CD112 pathways in COVID-19 patients.

Investigation of and in Pakistan, with notes on the detection of tickborne Rickettsiales.

There is limited information on the occurrence of and ticks, as well as associated and species in Pakistan. Addressing this knowledge gap, the current study aimed at morphomolecular confirmation of these ticks and molecular assessment of associated Rickettsiales bacteria (, and spp.) in Balochistan, Pakistan.

The sesquiterpene alcohol farnesol mitigates cadmium hepatotoxicity by attenuating oxidative stress and NF-kappaB/NLRP3 inflammasome axis and upregulating PPARgamma in rats.

Farnesol (FAR) is a sesquiterpene alcohol that exists in many fruits and vegetables and possesses promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant known for its serious health effects. Liver injury associated with oxidative stress is a hazardous consequence of exposure to Cd.

Robust and interpretable AI-guided marker for early dementia prediction in real-world clinical settings.

Background: Predicting dementia early has major implications for clinical management and patient outcomes. Yet, we still lack sensitive tools for stratifying patients early, resulting in patients being undiagnosed or wrongly diagnosed. Despite rapid expansion in machine learning models for dementia prediction, limited model interpretability and generalizability impede translation to the clinic.

Endostatin as a biomarker of systemic sclerosis: insights from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The critical role played by vascular dysfunction and ineffective angiogenesis in the pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis (SSc) suggests that circulating biomarkers reflecting these alterations may be useful in the clinical evaluation of this patient group. We sought to address this issue by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating a such candidate biomarker, endostatin, an endogenous glycoprotein exerting anti-angiogenic effects, in SSc patients and healthy controls.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in the electronic databases Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus from inception to 27 May 2024.

Small-molecule MMRi36 induces apoptosis in p53-mutant lymphomas by targeting MDM2/MDM4/XIAP for degradation.

Rituximab combined with systemic chemotherapy significantly improves the rate of complete response in B-cell lymphomas. However, acquired rituximab resistance develops in most patients leading to relapse. The mechanisms underlying rituximab resistance are not well-understood.

Differences in oral microbiota associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus between the Dai and Han populations.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) development is closely linked to microbiota, influenced by geography, ethnicity, gender, and age. While the relationship between oral microbiota and T2DM has been explored, specific microbiota associated with T2DM in the Dai and Han populations remains unclear. This study aims to compare oral microbiota differences and identify keystone species between these populations, both with and without T2DM.

Efficacy and Safety of Silodosin for the Treatment of Female LUTS: A 12-Week Prospective, Single-Center Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of silodosin in female patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs), addressing the limited evidence supporting alpha-blocker use in this population.

Methods: A 12-week, single-arm, prospective, open-label study was conducted from May 2021 to January 2023. Female patients aged over 18 with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥ 8 were enrolled and treated with silodosin (8 mg once daily).

Superior efficacy of intramuscular diclofenac compared to intravenous tramadol for acute renal colic in northern Thai patients: A randomised double-blind, sham-controlled trial.

Objective: The present study aimed to compare time to effective pain relief between diclofenac 75 mg intramuscular (IM) and tramadol 50 mg intravenous (IV) for ED patients with acute renal colic.

Methods: A randomised, double-blinded, sham-controlled, superiority trial was conducted. Patients diagnosed with acute renal colic (hydronephrosis and/or stone visualisation on point-of-care ultrasound) in the ED were randomly assigned to receive an IM injection of 75 mg of diclofenac or IV tramadol 50 mg.

Effect of ketamine on anxiety: findings from the Ketamine for Adult Depression Study.

Background: Anxiety disorders and treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TRD) are often comorbid. Studies suggest ketamine has anxiolytic and antidepressant properties.

Aims: To investigate if subcutaneous racemic ketamine, delivered twice weekly for 4 weeks, reduces anxiety in people with TRD.

The novel CD16A/anti-CD3 bifunctional protein, eCD16A/anti-CD3-BFP, redirects T cell cytotoxicity toward antibody-bound target cells.

Monoclonal antibodies enhance innate immunity, while bispecific T cell engager antibodies redirect adaptive T cell immunity. To stimulate both innate and adaptive mechanisms, we created a bifunctional eCD16A/anti-CD3-BFP adapter protein for combined use with clinically approved monoclonal IgG1 antibodies. The adaptor protein contains the extracellular domain of the human CD16A high-affinity variant, which binds the Fc domain of IgG1 antibodies, and an anti-human CD3 single-chain variable fragment that redirects T cell cytotoxicity.

Comprehensive Analysis of Elemental and Metabolite Composition in Boraginaceae Species from Türkiye.

Boraginaceae plants, including four endemic species from Türkiye, were analyzed for organic and inorganic compositions using ICP-MS and LC-MS/MS to explore their nutritional, medicinal, and ecological significance. This study examined 18 species, identifying key elements such as sodium (87,600.359-118,049.

Artemisinin-Quinidine Combination for Suppressing Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia in an Ex Vivo Model of Brugada Syndrome.

Background: The ionic mechanism underlying Brugada syndrome (BrS) arises from an imbalance in transient outward current flow between the epicardium and endocardium. Previous studies report that artemisinin, originally derived from a Chinese herb for antimalarial use, inhibits the Ito current in canines. In a prior study, we showed the antiarrhythmic effects of artemisinin in BrS wedge preparation models.

ICAM-1 K469E gene polymorphism, genotype-phenotype correlation, and retinopathy in Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Context: The role of genetic factors in the development of diabetic retinopathy is evident from the fact that only 50% of patients with the non-proliferative type of diabetic retinopathy progress to proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Though the K469E polymorphism of the ICAM-1 (Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1) gene is known to increase the risk of developing Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) among Type 2 diabetic patients, its role in the development of severe DR has not been extensively studied.

Aim: Hence, we aimed to determine the risk due to association of K469E polymorphism of ICAM-1 gene and sight threatening diabetic retinopathy.

Efficacy and Safety Analysis of Axitinib Combined with Sintilimab as Second-Line Treatment for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Targeted therapies, including axitinib, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor, and sintilimab, a programmed cell death protein-1 inhibitor, have shown promise in the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Although their individual efficacies have been demonstrated, the potential synergistic effects of combining these two agents are still being explored.

Methods: This study retrospectively analysed patients with advanced RCC admitted to our hospital from January 2022 to December 2023.

Compliance with Targeted Therapy and Fear of Adverse Drug Reactions in Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Nurse-Led Retrospective Descriptive Study.

Background: This study aimed to explore factors affecting adherence to targeted therapy in patients with renal cell carcinoma, focusing on the fear of adverse drug reactions.

Methods: This retrospective case-control study selected patients with renal cancer who received targeted therapy at our hospital from June 2021 to April 2023, categorising them based on their adherence to oral targeted drugs.

Results: Patients with good compliance reported significantly lower levels of fear related to disease progression and adverse drug reactions ( < 0.

Effect of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Concept Combined with Roy's Adaptation Model on Perioperative Mental Health, Quality of Life, Recovery Conditions, and Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common malignant tumour in males, with radical prostatectomy (RP) being the typical treatment. The concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and Roy's adaptation model (RAM) have been proved effective and reliable nursing methods in clinical practice. However, the combined effect of these two methods on patients undergoing RP remains unclear.

Management of Bleeding Complications after Percutaneous Nephrolithotripsy: A Single-Center Experience.

Background: Hemorrhage is the most common and dangerous complication after percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL). Therefore, this study introduces the management experience of bleeding complications in our center.

Methods: This retrospective study included 77 patients with severe bleeding after PCNL.

Analysis of Patients with Urethral Stricture in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: We aimed to assess the rates of urethral stricture in transplant recipients, analyse patients with urethral strictures and present the posttreatment follow-up outcomes.

Methods: Between 2004 and 2023, a retrospective examination was conducted on kidney transplant recipients who underwent removal of ureteral catheters through retrograde cystoscopy at our facility or referred from external centres. The collected data encompassed patient demographics, pre- and posttransplant maximum urinary flow rate, specifics of stenosis, surgical interventions and outcomes from a 1-year follow-up.