Identification of Anoikis-Related Genes in Chronic Kidney Disease Based on Bioinformatics Analysis Combined with Experimental Validation.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition that arises from diverse etiological factors, resulting in structural alterations and functional impairment of the kidneys. We aimed to establish the Anoikis-related gene signature in CKD by bioinformatics analysis.

Methods: We retrieved 3 datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) of them, which were intersected with Anoikis-related genes (ARGs) to derive Anoikis-related differentially expressed genes (ARDEGs).

Comparison of good review practices of seven countries participating in the ECOWAS medicines regulatory harmonisation initiative: identifying opportunities for improvement.

Introduction: When implemented by national and regional regulatory agencies good review practices (GRevPs) support the timely high-quality review of medicines for enhanced patients' availability to safe, quality and efficacious innovative and generic products. It is important that all aspects of GRevPs are continuously evaluated and updated to promote the continuous improvement of regulatory systems at national and regional levels. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the GRevPs of the national medicines regulatory agencies (NMRAs) of Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo, who are active participants of the ECOWASMRH initiative to identify opportunities for improvement.

Generation and characterization of OX40-ligand fusion protein that agonizes OX40 on T-Lymphocytes.

OX40, a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, is expressed on the surface of activated T cells. Upon interaction with its cognate ligand, OX40L, OX40 transmits costimulatory signals to antigen-primed T cells, promoting their activation, differentiation, and survivalprocesses essential for the establishment of adaptive immunity. Although the OX40-OX40L interaction has been extensively studied in the context of disease treatment, developing a substitute for the naturally expressed membrane-bound OX40L, particularly a multimerized OX40L trimers, that effectively regulates OX40-driven T cell responses remains a significant challenge.

Lyme disease associated neurological and musculoskeletal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Objective: Lyme disease, caused by , presents major health challenges worldwide, leading to serious neurological and musculoskeletal issues that impact patients' lives and healthcare systems. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to determine the prevalence and link between Lyme disease and these complications, aiming to enhance clinical and public health approaches.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science up until April 01, 2024, to find studies reporting the prevalence and severity of neurological and musculoskeletal complications associated with Lyme disease.

Development and Characterization of Potato Starch-Pectin-Based Active Films Enriched With Juniper Berry Essential Oil for Food Packaging Applications.

The increasing demand for sustainable food packaging has driven the development of films based on biopolymers. However, enhancing their functional properties remains a challenge. In the current study, potato starch-pectin (PSP) composite films were fabricated and enriched with juniper berry essential oil (JBEO) to improve their physicochemical properties.

Effect of taurine supplementation on preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia in pediatrics under mechanical ventilation, a randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial.

Introduction: One of the most prevalent healthcare-associated infections in the pediatric intensive care unit is ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). VAP not only results in prolonged hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stays but also imposes higher costs on patients and the healthcare system. Therefore, it is essential to implement preventive measures.

Phylogenetic studies on the genus (Psathyrellaceae, Basidiomycota) occurring in the bed of the Indus River, Punjab, Pakistan, reveal three new species.

During macrofungal surveys in 2019-2024, several specimens belonging to the family Psathyrellaceae were collected from the bed of the Indus River, Punjab, Pakistan. Phylogenetic analyses, based on ITS, LSU, and tef-1α sequences and morpho-anatomical study, confirmed the novelty and placement of three taxa in the genus . They are described as , , and .

Assembly of ceria-Nrf2 nanoparticles as macrophage-targeting ROS scavengers protects against myocardial infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and mitigating oxidative stress is crucial in managing MI. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a critical role in combating oxidative stress and facilitating cardiac remodeling post-MI. Here, we engineered Cerium oxide (CeO) nanoparticle-guided assemblies of ceria/Nrf2 nanocomposites to deliver Nrf2 plasmids.

An estrogen receptor β-targeted near-infrared probe for theranostic imaging of prostate cancer.

Estrogen receptor β (ERβ) is aberrantly expressed in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Therefore, a diagnostic and therapeutic ERβ probe not only helps to reveal the complex role of ERβ in prostate cancer (PCa), but also promotes ERβ-targeted PCa therapy. Herein, we reported a novel ERβ-targeted near-infrared fluorescent probe D3 with both imaging and therapeutic functions, which had the advantages of high ERβ selectivity, good optical performance, and strong anti-interference ability.

Shearinines U-Y, indole diterpenoids from an entomogenous fungus, sp.

Five new indole diterpenoids, shearinines U-Y (2-6), and the known compound 22,23-dehydro-shearinine A (1) were isolated from cultures of the entomogenous fungus sp. Their structures were elucidated primarily by NMR experiments. The absolute configurations of 2-6 were assigned by electronic circular dichroism calculations, respectively.

A Multifunctional MIL-101-NH(Fe) Nanoplatform for Synergistic Melanoma Therapy.

Background: Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer, and single-modality treatments often fail to prevent tumor recurrence and metastasis. Combination therapy has emerged as an effective approach to improve treatment outcomes.

Methods: In this study, we developed a multifunctional nanoplatform, MIL@DOX@ICG, utilizing MIL-101-NH(Fe) as a carrier to co-deliver the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) and the photosensitizer indocyanine green (ICG).

Barriers and facilitators to telemedicine contraception among patients that speak Spanish: a qualitative study.

Background: Telemedicine contraception services have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. There may be unique equity implications and language barriers for patients who speak Spanish.

Objective: To identify the barriers and facilitators of telemedicine for contraception care among patients who speak Spanish using a community-based participatory research approach.

Characterization of jamun () juice fortified with nanoemulsified vitamin D: and assessment of its nutraceutical value and anti-diabetic potential.

This study aimed to fortify Jamun () juice with vitamin D to address vitamin D deficiency and boost health. A nanoemulsion of vitamin D was fabricated using a low-temperature (4-20C) sonication method and incorporated into the juice. The vitamin D fortified jamun juice (VDFJJ) exhibited a total polyphenol content of 14.

Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Resection With the Transanal Approach for Massive Rectal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: A Case Report.

Rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are often asymptomatic and may be detected as giant tumors. This may require highly invasive surgery for radical resection. Here, we describe a 74-year-old man with a locally advanced non-metastatic GIST in the right anterolateral wall of the lower rectum.

Serum metabolomic signatures of patients with rare neurogenetic diseases: an insight into potential biomarkers and treatment targets.

Introduction: To further advance our understanding of Muscular Dystrophies (MDs) and Spinocerebellar Ataxias (SCAs), it is necessary to identify the biological patterns associated with disease pathology. Although progress has been made in the fields of genetics and transcriptomics, there is a need for proteomics and metabolomics studies. The present study aimed to be the first to document serum metabolic signatures of MDs (DMD, BMD, and LGMD 2A) SCAs (SCA 1-3), from a South Asian perspective.

Stem cell-derived exosome delivery systems for treating atherosclerosis: The new frontier of stem cell therapy.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. As a chronic inflammatory disease with a complicated pathophysiology marked by abnormal lipid metabolism and arterial plaque formation, atherosclerosis is a major contributor to CVDs and can induce abrupt cardiac events. The discovery of exosomes' role in intercellular communication has sparked a great deal of interest in them recently.

Factors Associated with HIV Testing Uptake in Cameroon: Data from the 2018 Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey.

Background: HIV represents a significant public health challenge, contributing to increased mortality and morbidity within the population. Despite the implementation of various HIV testing strategies, the uptake rate of HIV testing remains low.

Objective: This study aims to assess the factors associated with HIV testing uptake among women and men in Cameroon.

A Pair of Fluorescent Probes Enabling Precise Diagnosis of Liver Cancer by Complementary Imaging.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is by far the predominant malignant liver cancer, with both high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and surgical resections are imperative for improving the survival of HCC patients. However, limited by clinical diagnosis methods, it is difficult to accurately distinguish tumor tissue and its boundaries in the early stages of cancer.

Navigating the influence of professional abstinence on pharmacy students: Observations and solutions from their perspective.

Purpose: As the scope of practice continues to evolve for pharmacists, professional abstinence is being observed by students in workplaces and practicums. Professional abstinence is defined as "consciously choosing not to provide the full scope of patient care activities". Exposure of students to professional abstinence may cause cognitive dissonance, as they are challenged by practices that do not match what they are taught in school.

Highly Green Fluorescent Carbon Dots from Gallic Acid: A Turn-On Sensor toward Pb Ions.

Carbon dots (CDs) are emerging novel fluorescent sensing nanomaterials owing to their tunable optical properties, biocompatibility, and eco-friendliness. Herein, we report a facile one-pot hydrothermal route for the synthesis of highly green fluorescent CDs using gallic acid (GA) as a single carbon source in ,-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent, which serves as a nitrogen source and reaction medium. The optical properties of the synthesized GA-DMF CDs were systematically characterized by using UV-vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy, revealing strong green fluorescence.

Factors influencing the delivery of automated external defibrillators by lay rescuers to the scene of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in schools.

Aim: Timely use of automated external defibrillators by lay rescuers significantly improves the chances of survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases. We aimed to identify the factors influencing whether lay rescuers bring automated external defibrillators to the scene of nontraumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in schoolchildren in Japan.

Methods: Data on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests among schoolchildren from April 2008 to December 2021 were obtained from the database of the Stop and Prevent cardIac aRrest, Injury, and Trauma in Schools study.

Computational epitope-based vaccine design with bioinformatics approach; a review.

The significance of vaccine development has gained heightened importance in light of the pandemic. In such critical circumstances, global citizens anticipate researchers in this field to swiftly identify a vaccine candidate to combat the pandemic's root cause. It is widely recognized that the vaccine design process is traditionally both time-consuming and costly.

Association Between Early Mobilization and Postoperative Pneumonia Following Robot-assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy in Patients with Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objective: The objective of this study was to confirm that early mobilization (EM) could reduce pneumonia in patients undergoing robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) for thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (TESCC).

Methods: Postoperative pneumonia was defined as physician-diagnosed pneumonia using the Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group definition of pneumonia with a Clavien-Dindo classification grade II-V on postoperative day (POD) 3-5. EM was defined as achieving an ICU Mobility Scale (IMS) ≥7 by POD 2.

Geographical variation in metabolite profiles and bioactivity of Turcz. revealed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS-based metabolomics.

Introduction: This study aims to investigate the impact of geographical origin on the metabolite composition and bioactivity of Thesium chinense Turcz. (TCT), a member of the Apiaceae family renowned for its wide range of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the whole plants of TCT from different regions in China, aiming to explore the geographical variation of TCT.

Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Factor Structure and Construct Validity of Subfactors.

The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD-YBOCS) is a semi-structured interview designed to assess the severity of current BDD. The aim of the study was to examine the factor structure and construct validity of the BDD-YBOCS. The sample included 366 adults with BDD who completed the BDD-YBOCS and other measures of BDD severity/impairment, psychiatric distress (i.