The Impact of Genetic Polymorphism on Complication Development in Heart Failure Patients.

Despite the high progress that has been made in the field of cardiology, the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) can still cause complications (thrombosis/bleeding) in heart failure (HF) patients after implantation. Complications develop due to the incorrect dose of antithrombotic therapy, due to the influence of the non-physiological shear stress of the device, and also due to inherited genetic polymorphisms. Therefore, the aim of our study is to identify the influence of the genetic polymorphisms on complication development in HF patients with implanted LVADs with prescribed antiplatelet therapy.

Antiproliferative Mechanisms of Metformin in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Metformin is an antidiabetic drug with reported potential antiproliferative activity against different cancer types including breast cancer. However, the mechanism of action of how metformin can induce its antiproliferative activity is still unclear. Thus, the current study is a systematic review of the literature aiming to explore the reported antiproliferative mechanisms of metformin against breast cancer.

Synthesis and Antibacterial Evaluation of Chlorhexidine- and Triclosan-Impregnated Kaolinite Nanocomposites.

Clay minerals are actively used to obtain a bioactive composite. Kaolinite, as a representative of clay minerals, possesses unique properties essential for the creation of biocomposite materials. This mineral, characterized by its distinctive layered structure, is chemically inert, highly stable, thermally resistant, eco-friendly, biocompatible, and non-toxic.

Tracheal tuft cells release ATP and link innate to adaptive immunity in pneumonia.

Tracheal tuft cells shape immune responses in the airways. While some of these effects have been attributed to differential release of either acetylcholine, leukotriene C4 and/or interleukin-25 depending on the activating stimuli, tuft cell-dependent mechanisms underlying the recruitment and activation of immune cells are incompletely understood. Here we show that Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection activates mouse tuft cells, which release ATP via pannexin 1 channels.

Fitting of Soil-Water Characteristic Curves (SWCC) of Bukit Mewah, Malaysia soil using field monitoring dataset.

Rainfall-induced landslides are a frequent geohazard for tropical regions with prevalent residual soils and year-round rainy seasons. The water infiltration into unsaturated soil can be analyzed using the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) and permeability function which can be used to monitor and predict incoming landslides, showing the necessity of selecting the appropriate model parameter while fitting the SWCC model. This paper presents a set of data from six different sections of the studied slope at varying depths that are used to test the performance of three SWCC models, the van Genuchten-Mualem (vG-M), Fredlund-Xing (F-X) and Gardner (G).

Preparation of Zwitterionic Sulfobetaines and Study of Their Thermal Properties and Nanostructured Self-Assembling Features.

Zwitterionic polymers have garnered significant attention for their distinctive properties, such as biocompatibility, antifouling capabilities, and resistance to protein adsorption, making them promising candidates for a wide range of applications, including drug delivery, oil production inhibitors, and water purification membranes. This study reports the synthesis and characterization of zwitterionic monomers and polymers through the modification of linear, vinyl, and aromatic heterocyclic functional groups via reaction with 1,3-propanesultone. Four zwitterionic polymers with varying molecular structures-ranging from linear to five and six membered ring systems-were synthesized: poly(sulfobetaine methacrylamide) (pSBMAm), poly(sulfobetaine-1-vinylimidazole) (pSB1VI), poly(sulfobetaine-2-vinylpyridine) (pSB2VP), and poly(sulfobetaine-4-vinylpyridine) (pSB4VP).

Evaluating student understanding of pharmacodynamics core concepts.

Pharmacodynamics is an essential subdiscipline of pharmacology that underpins safe and effective prescribing and therapeutic decision-making, as well as drug discovery and development. The exponential increase in the number of therapeutic drugs has prompted members of the pharmacology educator community to question existing pharmacology curricula focused on individual drugs and move toward a curriculum focused on conceptual understanding. A first step towards conceptual understanding is to establish what students currently know about pharmacodynamic core concepts.

Serum levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin, total protein and their association with somatoform disorder in environmentally exposed populations in Kazakhstan.

Biochemical blood parameters may serve as biomarkers of environmental pollution, with somatoform disorder (SD) being of interest. This study examined serum glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), insulin, total protein, and SD prevalence in populations from polluted areas in Kazakhstan. It assessed the predictive value of these parameters for SD, along with other risk factors.

Database of soil properties incorporating organic content from roots and soil organisms for regional slope stabilisation.

The effectiveness of using vegetation to reinforce slopes is influenced by the soil and vegetation characteristics. Hence, this study pioneers the construction of an extensive soil database using random forest machine learning and ordinary kriging methods, focusing on the influence of plant roots on the saturated and unsaturated properties of residual soils. Soil organic content, which includes contributions from both soil organisms and roots, functions as a key factor in estimating soil hydraulic and mechanical properties influenced by vegetation roots.

Small Molecules in Parkinson's Disease Therapy: From Dopamine Pathways to New Emerging Targets.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder affecting approximately 10 million people worldwide, with prevalence expected to rise as the global population ages. It is characterized by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to motor symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability, and gait disturbances, as well as non-motor symptoms including olfactory disturbances, sleep disorders, and depression. Currently, no cure exists for PD, and most available therapies focus on symptom alleviation.

p53: The Multifaceted Roles of Covalent Modifications in Cancer.

The p53 protein has attracted huge research interest over several decades due to its role as one of the most important tumor suppressors in mammals, which orchestrates a synchronous response from normal cells in the body to various forms of stress. The diverse cellular activities of the p53 protein are regulated mainly via its post-translational modifications (PTMs). PTMs affect p53 on several levels: at the level of the assembly of tetrameric complexes on DNA to transactivate its target genes, at the level of the assembly of tetrameric complexes on DNA to transactivate its target genes; at the level of proteolysis in the absence of stress; and on the contrary, at the level of augmented protein stability in response to stress signals.

Predicting Intensive Care Unit Admission in COVID-19-Infected Pregnant Women Using Machine Learning.

: The rapid onset of COVID-19 placed immense strain on many already overstretched healthcare systems. The unique physiological changes in pregnancy, amplified by the complex effects of COVID-19 in pregnant women, rendered prioritization of infected expectant mothers more challenging. This work aims to use state-of-the-art machine learning techniques to predict whether a COVID-19-infected pregnant woman will be admitted to ICU (Intensive Care Unit).

Comparison of CytoSorb and Jafron HA330 Hemoadsorption Devices in Pediatric Oncological Patients with Sepsis: Retrospective Observational Study.

Pediatric sepsis presents a severe risk to immunocompromised children, especially those with cancer or pre-existing conditions, posing a significant threat to their lives. Cytokine hemadsorption has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for managing sepsis and severe inflammatory conditions in critically ill patients. This innovative method involves eliminating pro-inflammatory cytokines from the bloodstream, targeting the underlying hyper-inflammatory response often seen in critical illnesses.

Heparin Resistance in Patients Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Review.

Heparin resistance (HR) in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) exacerbates bleeding and thrombogenesis. Thus far, there is no universal definition of what this condition entails and no unified strategy for assessing heparin's efficacy in ECMO patients. The most frequent discrepancy when it comes to defining HR is the difference in the reported doses: units per day (U/d) or per kilogram per hour (U/kg/h).

Artificial Intelligence in the Management of Patients with Respiratory Failure Requiring Mechanical Ventilation: A Scoping Review.

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is one of the most frequently used organ replacement modalities in the intensive care unit (ICU). Artificial intelligence (AI) presents substantial potential in optimizing mechanical ventilation management. The utility of AI in MV lies in its ability to harness extensive data from electronic monitoring systems, facilitating personalized care tailored to individual patient needs.

From Bench to Bedside: Translating Cellular Rejuvenation Therapies into Clinical Applications.

Cellular rejuvenation therapies represent a transformative frontier in addressing age-related decline and extending human health span. By targeting fundamental hallmarks of aging-such as genomic instability, epigenetic alterations, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cellular senescence-these therapies aim to restore youthful functionality to cells and tissues, offering new hope for treating degenerative diseases. Recent advancements have showcased a range of strategies, including epigenetic reprogramming, senolytic interventions, mitochondrial restoration, stem cell-based approaches, and gene-editing technologies like CRISPR.

Investigation of Rheological and Flow Properties of Buckwheat Dough with and Without Xanthan and Guar Gums for Optimized 3D Food Printing Across Temperature Variations.

Buckwheat () is a gluten-free crop valued for its protein, fiber, and essential minerals. This study investigates the rheological properties of buckwheat (BW) dough, both with and without the addition of gums (no gum, guar (GG), xanthan (XG)), at varying barrel temperatures (25, 55, and 85 °C) of the rheometer and at different water content levels (45, 50, and 55% /) to optimize dough formulations for 3D food printing. Using high shear stress capillary tests, the consistency coefficient (K) and flow behavior index (n) were measured.

Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in Post-Soviet Countries: A Systematic Review.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat. AMR surveillance is crucial for understanding and controlling the spread of AMR. Surveillance systems can inform clinicians, guide health policymakers, and support effective AMR interventions.

A Nationwide Evaluation of Antibiotic Consumption in Kazakhstan from 2019 to 2023.

Background/objectives: There has been a lack of a holistic approach to evaluating antibiotic consumption in Kazakhstan over the past few years using an internationally recognized methodology. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a nationwide evaluation of antibiotic consumption in Kazakhstan during the period 2019-2023.

Methods: Defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day (DIDs) were calculated for systemic antibiotics (J01 code of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (ATC)) following the methodology established by the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS-AMC).

Synergy of the flow behaviour and disperse phase of polysaccharide nanoparticles derived from Corchorus olitorius in enhancing oil recovery at an offshore operation.

The escalating global energy demand necessitates enhanced oil recovery methods, particularly offshore. Biological nanotechnology offers sustainable, environment-friendly, and cost-effective alternatives to synthetic chemicals. This study explored the synthesis of polysaccharide-based nanoparticles (PNPs) from Corchorus olitorius leaves using a weak acid-assisted ultrasonic method and their application as nanocomposites for oil recovery.

A mixed method exploration of job morale of physicians working in public healthcare settings in Kazakhstan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Physicians faced increased workloads during the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed them to considerable physical and psychological stress. Gaining insight into shapers of job morale of physicians can help healthcare administrators assess the effectiveness of current work conditions and support systems, enabling them to develop policies that improve work environments and prepare healthcare systems for future resurgences of COVID-19 and other future unknown challenges. Therefore, the present study aimed to improve the understanding of physicians' experiences of job morale in Kazakhstan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Comparison of baseline global gene expression profiles of prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP and DU145.

Introduction: DU145 and LNCaP are classic prostate cancer cell lines. Characterizing their baseline transcriptomics profiles (without any intervention) can offer insights into baseline genetic features and oncogenic pathways that should be considered while interpreting findings after various experimental interventions such as exogenous gene transfection or drug treatment.

Methods: LNCaP and DU145 cell lines were cultured under normal conditions, followed by RNA extraction, cDNA conversion, library preparation, and RNA sequencing using the Illumina NovaSeq platform.

Estimation of the wetting induced settlement of loess soils from the wetting soil-water characteristic curve.

Collapsible loess soils, known for their significant volume reduction upon the wetting, pose critical challenges in the geotechnical engineering. The estimation of the wetting-induced settlement is crucial for the foundation design and the determination of the negative skin friction on the pile. In this paper, a new method is proposed to estimate the wetting induced collapse from the wetting soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) and the index properties of the loess soils.