Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and outcomes in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) commonly leads to heart failure but has traditionally been an exclusion criterion in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i); therefore, the effects of these drugs in this population remain undocumented. In light of recent studies, this meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of SGLT2i on the prognosis of patients with ATTR-CM.

Methods: A comprehensive search of Medline, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library was conducted up to November 17, 2024.

Bioenergetic trade-offs can reveal the path to superior microbial CO fixation pathways.

A comprehensive optimization of known prokaryotic autotrophic carbon dioxide (CO) fixation pathways is presented that evaluates all their possible variants under different environmental conditions. This was achieved through a computational methodology recently developed that considers the trade-offs between energy efficiency (yield) and growth rate, allowing us to evaluate candidate metabolic modifications for microbial conversions. The results revealed the superior configurations in terms of both yield (efficiency) and rate (driving force).

Assessing COVID-19 Pandemic-Era Vaccine Uptake and Adherence to Prevention Measures: A Comparative Analysis Among Men and Women Using Lot Quality Assurance Sampling in Central Uganda.

Aim: This study examined citizens' knowledge and compliance with COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs), vaccine acceptance and hesitancy, and factors that could influence these behaviors.

Methods: The study that utilised the Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) approach was conducted in eight districts of Central Uganda; Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Mubende, Kasanda, Mityana, Luwero, Nakaseke, and Nakasongola districts. Each district was divided into five supervision areas (SAs).

Addressing Drug Shortages at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital: A ‎Five-Year Study of ‎Challenges, Impact, and Strategies.

Background Drug shortages have become a significant challenge globally, affecting healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. This study aimed to assess drug shortages' prevalence, causes, and impact at a tertiary care hospital in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), providing actionable insights for future mitigation strategies. Methods A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Mediclinic Parkview (MPAR) Hospital, part of Mediclinic Middle East (MCME), UAE.

Deciphering the Topology of Sitagliptin Using an Integrated Approach.

Determining the structure of sitagliptin is crucial for ensuring its effectiveness and safety as a DPP-4 inhibitor used to treat type 2 diabetes. Accurate structure determination is vital for both drug development and maintaining quality control in manufacturing. This study integrates the advanced techniques of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, three-dimensional (3D) electron diffraction, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate the structural intricacies of sitagliptin.

Interphase investigation of modified McLachlan model and the 3D finite element method for electrical conductivity.

This paper explores the electrical conductivity interphase of Ag/Epoxy composite using modified McLachlan theory and 3D finite element composite model through experimental verification. The model characteristic presents conductivity as a dynamic function influenced by particle content, particle electrical properties, electrical properties transition, and an exponent. This model was meticulously crafted, considering the intricate interplay between the polymer matrix and silver particles, the tunnelling distance between adjacent silver particles, and the interphase regions around particles.

A systematic review of AI-based chatbot usages in healthcare services.

Purpose: This systematic literature review aims to provide a comprehensive and structured synthesis of the existing knowledge about chatbots in healthcare from both a theoretical and methodological perspective.

Design/methodology/approach: To this end, a systematic literature review was conducted with 89 articles selected through a SPAR-4-SLR systematic procedure. The document for this systematic review was collected from Scopus database.

Crosstalk: Biochemical Signatures and Clinical Implications in Rare Hereditary Hemolytic Anemias (Hereditary Spherocytosis).

Background: Clinical Hereditary Hemolytic Anemia (HAA) particularly Hereditary Spherocytosis (HS) encompasses diverse genetic disorders causing premature red blood cell destruction and intrinsic RBC defects. There's a pressing need for standardized diagnostic protocols tailored to the Asian population, particularly in Saudi Arabia, underscoring the significance of thorough blood biochemistry analysis.

Materials And Methods: A case-control prospective study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University, samples were obtained from King Fahad, hospital Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, serving a significant population, and blood samples from 27 patients meeting ethical criteria for HHA and HS.

Enhancing trace DNA profile recovery in forensic casework using the amplicon RX post-PCR clean-up kit.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the amplicon RX post-PCR clean-up kit in enhancing trace DNA profile recovery from forensic casework samples amplified using the GlobalFiler PCR amplification kit. The impact of post-PCR clean-up on allele recovery and signal intensity was assessed in both trace casework samples and control samples across a range of DNA concentrations. The results showed that the amplicon RX method significantly improved allele recovery compared to the 29-cycle protocol (p = 8.

Narrow Versus Standard Diameter Implants for Supporting Single Crown Restorations in the Posterior Jaw: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Objectives: The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to assess clinical, radiographic and patient reported outcomes of narrow versus standard diameter titanium zirconium (TiZr) implants supporting single crown restorations in posterior sites with limited bone width.

Materials And Methods: Participants requiring replacement of single missing posterior teeth with implant-supported crowns were randomly allocated into 2 treatment groups: narrow (3.3 mm) or standard (4.

Translation and psychometric validation of the Evidence-Based Practice Competency Questionnaire for Registered Nurses (EBP-COQ Prof©) in Bahasa Indonesia.

Aims: This study aims to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and conduct initial psychometric testing of the EBP-COQ Prof© to Bahasa Indonesia.

Background: The availability of evidence-based practice competency tools evaluating nurses' knowledge, skills attitudes and adoption in the context of Indonesian nursing practice are limited. A valid tool in EBP that measures nurses' self-perceived competency in knowledge, skills, attitudes, and utilization was used in this study for translation and psychometric validation.

Describing the landscape of nutrition- and diet-related randomized controlled trials: meta-research study of protocols published between 2012 and 2022.

Background: Publishing protocols promotes transparency and reproducibility. The scope and methods of protocols for nutrition- and diet-related randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have not been investigated yet.

Objective: Map the landscape of nutrition- and diet-related interventions research.

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding from colonic varices of unknown origin.

gastrointestinal bleeding, colonic varices, lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Vitamin D augments insulin secretion via calcium influx and upregulation of voltage calcium channels: Findings from INS-1 cells and human islets.

Vitamin D (VD) has been implicated in regulating insulin secretion and pancreatic β-cell function. Yet, the underlying molecular mechanism of VD in glucose homeostasis is not fully understood. This study investigates the effect of VD in regulating insulin secretion and pancreatic β-cell function.

Radiation dose assessment and establishment of diagnostic reference levels for MDP Tc-99m bone scans: A multi-hospital study in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Bone scans using technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate (99mTc-MDP) are widely used in nuclear medicine for diagnosing various bone disorders. However, the radiation exposure associated with these procedures necessitates careful consideration and optimization.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate radiation doses in terms of Effective Dose (ED) and establish Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) for 99mTc-MDP bone scans in Saudi Arabia.

Non-thermal atmospheric plasma treatments enhance the growth, photosynthesis, metabolite accumulation, and nutritional value of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L'Herit) leaves.

This study investigated the effects of non-thermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) treatment on the growth, chemical composition, and biological activity of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L'Herit) leaves. NTAP was applied at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, exposure time of 15 s, discharge temperature of 25 °C, and power levels (T1 = 50, T2 = 80, and T3 = 120 W).

Optical band gap modulation in functionalized chitosan biopolymer hybrids using absorption and derivative spectrum fitting methods: A spectroscopic analysis.

In this study, biopolymer composites based on chitosan (CS) with enhanced optical properties were functionalized using Manganese metal complexes and black tea solution dyes. The results indicate that CS with Mn-complexes can produce polymer hybrids with high absorption, high refractive index and controlled optical band gaps, with a significant reduction from 6.24 eV to 1.

Enhanced optical properties of chitosan polymer doped with orange peel dye investigated via UV-Vis and FTIR analysis.

The current research aims to determine the impact of orange peel dye (OPD), an eco-friendly addition, on the optical properties of biodegradable polymers. This study investigates the enhancement of optical properties in solid electrolytes based on chitosan (CS) and glycerol, with varying OPD concentrations. UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy revealed significantly enhanced UV-visible light absorption in the 200-500 nm region and effective UV light blocking.

Conservative Management of Pediatric Patients With Appendicolith Appendicitis Versus Non-appendicolith Appendicitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Up to one-third of pediatric patients with acute appendicitis present with radiological evidence of appendicoliths. However, whether appendicolith presence influences prognosis under conservative management compared to non-appendicolith appendicitis remains uncertain.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science databases for studies comparing pediatric appendicolith and non-appendicolith appendicitis managed conservatively with antibiotics, fluids, and percutaneous drainage.

Pharmacological, computational, and mechanistic insights into triptolide's role in targeting drug-resistant cancers.

As a promising candidate for tackling drug-resistant cancers, triptolide, a diterpenoid derived from the Chinese medicinal plant Tripterygium wilfordii, has been developed. This review summarizes potential antitumor activities, including the suppression of RNA polymerase II, the suppression of heat shock proteins (HSP70 and HSP90), and the blockade of NF-kB signalling. Triptolide is the first known compound to target cancer cells specifically but spare normal cells, and it has success in treating cancers that are difficult to treat, including pancreatic, breast, and lung cancers.

Neurotropic Tick-Borne Flavivirus in Alpine Chamois (), Austria, 2017, Italy, 2023.

The European subtype of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV-Eur; species , family ) was the only tick-borne flavivirus present in central Europe known to cause neurologic disease in humans and several animal species. Here, we report a tick-borne flavivirus isolated from Alpine chamois () with encephalitis and attached ticks, present over a wide area in the Alps. Cases were detected in 2017 in Salzburg, Austria, and 2023 in Lombardy and Piedmont, Italy.

Pulmonary Delivery of Antibiotics to the Lungs: Current State and Future Prospects.

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the current literature, clinical trials, and products approved for the delivery of antibiotics to the lungs. While there are many literature reports describing potential delivery systems, few of these have translated into marketed products. Key challenges remaining are the high doses required and, for powder formulations, the ability of the inhaler and powder combination to deliver the dose to the correct portion of the respiratory tract for maximum effect.

Changes in Lifestyle Behaviors, Shopping Habits and Body Weight Among Adults in Cyprus and Greece During COVID-19 Lockdown: A Cross-Sectional Study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people were asked to stay at home. Places where people interacted such as schools, universities, and cafes were closed, and all gatherings were forbidden. Only stores offering fast-moving consumer goods were open, so citizens could purchase all food categories.

Biomimetic Silicone Surfaces for Antibacterial Applications.

Biomimetic patterning emerges as a promising antibiotic-free approach to protect medical devices from bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. The main advantage of this approach lies in its simplicity and scalability for industrial applications. In this study, we employ it to produce antibacterial coatings based on silicone materials, widely used in the healthcare industry.