Efficacy of the cardiac glycoside digoxin as an adjunct to csDMARDs in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Inflammation and angiogenesis are two main mechanisms that act as mutual pathways in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This work aimed to study the efficacy of digoxin as an adjunct therapy to conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) in active RA patients.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, 60 adult patients with active RA received a placebo or digoxin (0.

Leveraging convolutional neural networks and hashing techniques for the secure classification of monkeypox disease.

The World Health Organization declared a state of emergency in 2022 because of monkeypox. This disease has raised international concern as it has spread beyond Africa, where it is endemic. The global community has shown attention and solidarity in combating this disease as its daily increase becomes evident.

Schistosomicidal Effects of Moringa oleifera Seed Oil Extract on Schistosoma mansoni-Infected Mice.

Schistosomiasis causes severe hepatic fibrosis, making it a global health issue. Moringa oleifera seed oil extract, which had antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, was investigated as an alternative treatment. The 50 mice were divided into control, infected, praziquantel-treated, M.

Early left ventricular unloading during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in cardiogenic shock: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) unloading is a crucial intervention to decrease the harmful consequences of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on hemodynamic status in cardiogenic shock (CS) patients. However, a lingering question preoccupies experts: Should we intervene early or wait until clinical deterioration caused by increasing afterload is detected?

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing studies, which were retrieved by systematically searching PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Cochrane through December 2023. We used R V.

Racial Differences in Diagnostic Accuracy of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in eyes of African (AD) and European descent (ED).

Design: Comparative diagnostic accuracy analysis by race.

Participants: 379 healthy eyes (125 AD and 254 ED) and 442 glaucomatous eyes (226 AD and 216 ED) from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study and the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study.

Development and characterization of antibacterial marine extract-infused cellulose acetate nanofibers as wound dressings for combatting multidrug-resistant wound infections.

Wound infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria pose a significant challenge globally in healthcare. Traditional wound dressings often lack efficacy against these resilient pathogens, necessitating the exploration of innovative approaches to combat infections and promote wound healing. This study was designed to investigate a novel wound dressing marine extract-infused electrospun cellulose acetate nanofibers (CANF) with particular emphasis on combating multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Predictors of Successful Antibiotic Treatment of Osteomyelitis in Diabetic Forefoot Infection.

Background: Osteomyelitis (OM) associated with diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) is a growing public health challenge worldwide. Since 2012 the number of patients presenting with DFU per year to our centre has doubled.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate outcomes from outpatient antibiotic therapy (OPAT) in the management of OM in DFU patients.

Impact of implementing virtual journal club on developing competencies for critical appraisal among post-graduate nursing students.

Background: Virtual journal clubs (VJCs) are innovative technologies with the potential to foster collaboration, facilitate multilingual communication, improve cultural competencies, and expand global professional networks. This allowed participants to be exposed to critical appraisal of the articles. However, its long-term impact on competency development has been debated.

Bispectral Index Guidance Reduced Target Plasma Propofol Concentration During ERCP in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the guidance effect of the bispectral index (BIS) on the target plasma concentration (TPC) of propofol required for deep sedation during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Second, to identify propofol consumption, recovery time, and adverse events.

Methods: A total of 42 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis and 43 consecutive patients with healthy livers were enrolled.

The mental health toll of the Russian-Ukraine war across 11 countries: Cross-sectional data on war-related stressors, PTSD and CPTSD symptoms.

Exposure to war is a severe traumatic experience with disastrous mental health effects. This study examined the mental health among 5,560 residents in 11 countries worldwide at different geographic distances from the epicenter of the Russian-Ukrainian War (RUW). An online questionnaire assessed war-related variables (e.

Effect of green coffee on miR-133a, miR-155 and inflammatory biomarkers in obese individuals.

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. The current study was a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study that aimed to determine the impact of green coffee (GC) in obese patients with metabolic syndrome through analysis of miRNA-155, miRNA-133a and the inflammatory biomarkers such as resistin, TNF-α, total sialic acid, homocysteine, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and the anti-inflammatory cytokine, adiponectin.

Methods: One hundred-sixty obese patients were randomly supplemented either with GC capsules (800 mg) or placebo daily for six months.

Improving the distribution system capability by incorporating ZnO nanoparticles into high-density polyethylene cable materials.

This paper introduces a novel insulated cable designed to enhance the distribution system's capabilities. Accordingly, high-density polyethylene loaded with varying concentrations of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) ranging from 0.0 to 5 wt% was prepared using the melt-blending technique.