A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between sugar intake and dental caries in Nigeria.

Background: There is no national data on the association between sugar intake and caries experience in Nigeria. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between sugar intake and caries experience in Nigeria.

Methods: A search was conducted across the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases for articles published between January 2001 and March 2023 on the associations between sugar consumption and caries experience.

Advancing mitochondrial therapeutics: Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of pyrazole-based inhibitors targeting the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier.

Inhibition of mitochondrial pyruvate transport via the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) has shown beneficial effects in treating metabolic diseases, certain cancers, various forms of neurodegeneration, and hair loss. These benefits arise either from the direct inhibition of mitochondrial pyruvate metabolism or from the metabolic rewiring when pyruvate entry is inhibited. However, current MPC inhibitors are either nonspecific or possess poor pharmacokinetic properties.

Non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic care of the neonate with opioid withdrawal syndrome.

There has been a significant paradigm shift in the management of infants with NOWS to emphasizing the role of non-pharmacologic care centered on the mother-infant dyad. By promoting bonding through rooming-in, breast-feeding and skin-to skin contact in a low stimulation environment, short and long-term outcomes have dramatically improved, resulting in reduced length of stay and need for pharmacologic treatment of the newborn. This shift in care also empowers the mother and promotes bonding and attachment, providing a solid foundation for a safe discharge.

The use of a benign fast-growing cyanobacterial species to control microcystin synthesis from .

Introduction: (), one of the most prevalent blue-green algae in aquatic environments, produces microcystin by causing harmful algal blooms (HAB). This study investigated the combined effects of nutrients and cyanobacterial subpopulation competition on synthesizing microcystin-LR.

Method: In varied nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, cyanobacterial coculture, and algicidal DCMU presence, the growth was monitored by optical density analysis or microscopic counting, and the microcystin production was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-UV.

Sialylation reactions: Expanding the C-5 effect to phosphate leaving groups.

With the expanding use of phosphates as leaving groups in sialylations, little remains known about the C-5 effect towards their reactivity and stereoselectivity in the presence of a range of acceptors, and in different solvents. Herein we report the comparison between sialyl phosphate donors bearing N-acetyloxazolidinone and trifluoroacetamido functionalities at C-5. Excellent results and complete stereoselectivity were observed in several sialylations, but the outcome was influenced by the nature of the solvent and/or glycosyl acceptor.

Assessing the Difficulty and Long-Term Retention of Factual and Conceptual Knowledge Through Multiple-Choice Questions: A Longitudinal Study.

Purpose: Multiple choice questions (MCQs) are the mainstay in examinations for medical education, physician licensing, and board certification. Traditionally, MCQs tend to test rote recall of memorized facts. Their utility in assessing higher cognitive functions has been more problematic to determine.

Optimizing Falling Drop Hemoglobin Method by Comparing Capillary Versus Venous Blood and Determining the Stability of the Copper Sulfate Solution.

Background: Anemia is a global health issue that affects over 1 billion people and contributes to maternal mortality and birth defects. Low-resource, tropical areas face a dual challenge: high prevalence of anemia and inability to access affordable testing methods. The falling drop hemoglobin method has been developed by our lab to quantify hemoglobin concentration and assess anemia by timing the descent of venous blood in a column of copper sulfate solution, without using electricity or batteries.

Momordicine-I suppresses head and neck cancer growth by modulating key metabolic pathways.

One of the hallmarks of cancer is metabolic reprogramming which controls cellular homeostasis and therapy resistance. Here, we investigated the effect of momordicine-I (M-I), a key bioactive compound from Momordica charantia (bitter melon), on metabolic pathways in human head and neck cancer (HNC) cells and a mouse HNC tumorigenicity model. We found that M-I treatment on HNC cells significantly reduced the expression of key glycolytic molecules, SLC2A1 (GLUT-1), HK1, PFKP, PDK3, PKM, and LDHA at the mRNA and protein levels.

Perceptions of a faculty-trainee group mentorship program, the mentorship families program, in a residency training program: results from a cross-sectional survey.

Background: In residency programs, the availability of faculty mentors for traditional dyadic mentorship relationships may be limited. Few frameworks exist for mentorship programs with a combined faculty and peer mentorship approach. The authors developed the Mentorship Families Program (MFP), a faculty-resident group mentorship program within a psychiatry residency program to meet the need for mentorship for a large cohort of residents.

Development of Behçet's disease on maintenance therapy for autoimmune hepatitis.

Behçet's disease is a clinical diagnosis with variable presentations. Liver involvement is rare in the absence of vascular complications. We describe a patient diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and autoimmune hepatitis on azathioprine who developed extensive aphthous ulcers approximately 10 years later.

Evaluating Artificial Intelligence-Driven Responses to Acute Liver Failure Queries: A Comparative Analysis Across Accuracy, Clarity, and Relevance.

Introduction: Recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly through the deployment of Large Language Models (LLMs), have profoundly impacted healthcare. This study assesses five LLMs-ChatGPT 3.5, ChatGPT 4, BARD, CLAUDE, and COPILOT-on their response accuracy, clarity, and relevance to queries concerning acute liver failure (ALF).

Association Between Chronotype and Chronic Neuropathic Pain Sensitivity: A Pilot Prospective, Observational, Single-Center, Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Chronotype defines an organism's biological preference for timing of activity and sleep. Being a morning chronotype (i.e.

EC-WAMI: Event Camera-Based Pose Optimization in Remote Sensing and Wide-Area Motion Imagery.

In this paper, we present , the first successful application of neuromorphic for Wide-Area Motion Imagery (WAMI) and Remote Sensing (RS), showcasing their potential for advancing Structure-from-Motion (SfM) and 3D reconstruction across diverse imaging scenarios. ECs, which detect asynchronous pixel-level , offer key advantages over traditional frame-based sensors such as high temporal resolution, low power consumption, and resilience to dynamic lighting. These capabilities allow ECs to overcome challenges such as glare, uneven lighting, and low-light conditions that are common in aerial imaging and remote sensing, while also extending UAV flight endurance.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: heterogeneous pathomechanisms and effectiveness of metabolism-based treatment.

The global epidemic of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is increasing worldwide. People with MASLD can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and extrahepatic cancers. Most people with MASLD die from cardiac-related causes.

Use of Intraoperative Doppler Ultrasonography in Predicting Life-Threatening Vascular Complications After Adult Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation.

Aim This study aims to determine if routine use of intraoperative Doppler ultrasonography is preventative of life-threatening vascular complications (VCs) after orthotopic liver transplantation. Methods This single-center, retrospective study reviewed all adult orthotopic liver transplants at Saint Louis University Hospital from 2015 to 2020 (N = 188). The sample population consists of men and women in the age range of 18 to 75.

Synthesis of Lead(II) Carbonate-Containing Nanoparticles Using Ultrasonication or Microwave Irradiation.

We report on the synthesis of lead(II) carbonate-containing nanoparticles using the polyol process under high-energy ultrasound or microwave irradiation as alternate energization methods. Five carbonate source precursors are used in the reaction, and the precipitation reactions generate four different crystal products, depending on the precursor. More alkaline precursors produce the hydroxy-carbonate structures (abellaite, or its potassium analog, and hydrocerussite), while the less alkaline precursors produce the simple carbonate structure (cerussite).

Insights About Dyadic Cancer Survivorship Interventions for Black Women and Their Caregivers: A Rapid Qualitative Analysis of Collaborator Perspectives.

Background: Breast cancer patients and their informal caregivers often report unmet psychosocial, relational, and physical health needs. Dyadic interventions may improve patient and caregiver outcomes, but few have been integrated into clinical care or designed for Black breast cancer patients and their female caregivers. We used the Health Equity Implementation Framework to design for dissemination by identifying facilitators and barriers to implementing a dyadic survivorship intervention delivered via video teleconferencing (e.

Architecture and functional regulation of a plant PSII-LHCII megacomplex.

Photosystem II (PSII) splits water in oxygenic photosynthesis on Earth. The structure and function of the CSM-type PSII-LHCII (light-harvesting complex II) megacomplexes from the wild-type and PsbR-deletion mutant plants are studied through electron microscopy (EM), structural mass spectrometry, and ultrafast fluorescence spectroscopy [time-resolved fluorescence (TRF)]. The cryo-EM structure of a type I CSM megacomplex demonstrates that the three domains of PsbR bind to the stromal side of D1, D2, and CP43; associate with the single transmembrane helix of the redox active Cyt ; and stabilize the luminal extrinsic PsbP, respectively.

Men's influence of maternal substance use before, during, and after pregnancy: A qualitative study of men with criminal-legal involvement.

Background: While the adverse effects of substance use during pregnancy are well-established, the impact men with criminal-legal involvement who use substances have on their partner's substance-using behaviors is not well characterized. We aim to understand men's experiences and perspectives about how their substance use impacts romantic partner substance use in the preconception period, before a potential or actual pregnancy.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with men residing in a transition center in the Midwestern US with a substance use disorder (SUD) who partnered with women.

Predictors of Contraceptive Use Associated with Foreign-Born Women in the US During the Preconception Period of Their First Pregnancy.

Contraceptive use is the most effective means of preventing unintended pregnancies among sexually active individuals. Foreign-born women are less likely to use contraception when compared to US-born women. However, there are limited studies focused on understanding factors that influence contraceptive use among foreign-born women in the US.

Body Mass Index and Complication Rates Among Patients Undergoing Gender-Affirming Surgeries: An Analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Database.

Purpose: To determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and complication rates among patients undergoing gender-affirming surgeries (GAS).

Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was queried from 2015 to 2021. Patients who underwent a GAS were identified using International Classification of Diseases Ninth (ICD-9) and Tenth (ICD-10) codes.