Beyond weight loss: exploring the neurological ramifications of altered gut microbiota post-bariatric surgery.

This review discusses findings related to neurological disorders, gut microbiota, and bariatric surgery, focusing on neurotransmitters, neuroendocrine, the pathophysiology of bacteria contributing to disorders, and possible therapeutic interventions. Research on neurotransmitters suggests that their levels are heavily influenced by gut microbiota, which may link them to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple sclerosis, Depression, and Autism spectrum disorder. The pathophysiology of bacteria that reach and influence the central nervous system has been documented.

Association of salivary mmp-8 gene polymorphism with its protein expression in oral submucous fibrosis patients.

OSF (Oral submucous fibrosis) is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation and progressive fibrosis of the submucosal tissues with the potential to progress into OSCC (Oral squamous cell carcinoma). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are endopeptidases that play a role in extracellular matrix remodeling and pathophysiology of various diseases. The study aims to evaluate the gene polymorphism and protein expression of MMP-8 and their association with the severity of OSF.

Accurate prediction of DNA-Intercalator binding energies: Ensemble of short molecular dynamics simulations vs. long simulations.

Despite the wide use of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for binding energy predictions in biomolecular systems, results from single MD simulations are non-reproducible and often deviate from experimental values, even for longer simulations. This study addresses these limitations using ensemble MD simulations for the complex formation of three DNA-intercalator systems. Twenty-five replicas of short (10 ns) and long (100 ns) MD simulations were performed on the intercalation of Doxorubicin into DNA.

Improving retrospective data on recent household deaths: a multi-arm randomized trial in Guinea-Bissau.

Background: In countries with limited civil registration and vital statistics systems, assessing the impact of health crises requires precise retrospective mortality data. We tested whether calendar methods improve survey or census data on dates of recent household deaths registered in a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS).

Methods: Between April and June 2023, we randomized 578 households with HDSS-registered deaths in Guinea-Bissau to interviews by using (i) a standard questionnaire with close-ended questions about dates of deaths, or similar questionnaires supplemented with (ii) a physical calendar of local events printed on paper or (iii) a digital calendar implemented on tablets.

Changes in energy homeostasis, gut peptides, and gut microbiota in Emiratis with obesity after bariatric surgery.

Background: Obesity is a growing health concern worldwide, including United Arab Emirates. Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment option, with to date unclear weight loss mechanisms. In this prospective study, we explored post-bariatric surgery changes in energy homeostasis, gut peptides, hormones, and gut microbiota.

Cryptic speciation in arid mountains: An integrative revision of the Pristurus rupestris species complex (Squamata, Sphaerodactylidae) from Arabia based on morphological, genetic and genomic data, with the description of four new species.

In the arid landscapes of the Arabian Peninsula, high levels of cryptic diversity among reptiles, and especially in geckos, have recently been revealed. Mountain ranges within the peninsula were shown to contain the highest richness of reptile endemicity, serving as refugia to species less adapted to the hyper-arid conditions of the lowlands. With up to 19 endemic reptile species, the Hajar Mountains of southeastern Arabia are a clear example of this pattern.

Validation of the Arabic eHealth literacy questionnaire: a factor and Rasch analysis study.

Introduction: Amidst the rapid digitalization of healthcare, there is a need for tools that accurately assess eHealth literacy across cultural contexts. This study focused on the validation of an Arabic version of the eHealth Literacy Questionnaire (eHLQ), a tool to facilitate patient engagement and health outcomes in digital healthcare.

Method: Using a convenience sampling method, the study recruited a diverse sample of 657 participants from Jordan (58.

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal and aromatic plants used by the population of Settat Province, Morocco.

To promote Morocco's medicinal and aromatic plants, an ethnobotanical study was conducted in the Settat Province, part of the Casablanca-Settat region, Morocco. The methodology employed in this study involved a direct, oral survey conducted with 30 herbalists from various villages in the Settat province, after obtaining their informed consent. Additionally, an online survey was distributed, to which 212 individuals from the local population, representing different age groups, responded.

A Dual Biomarker Approach to Stress: Hair and Salivary Cortisol Measurement in Students via LC-MS/MS.

Stress is a significant issue among students, affecting both their mental and physical health. In this study, we investigated cortisol levels, a key biomarker for stress, in students at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) during their exam period. Using a sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methodology we measured cortisol concentrations in hair and saliva samples and explored the potential correlation between exam-induced stress and cortisol levels.

Metabolomic Analysis, Antiproliferative, Anti-Migratory, and Anti-Invasive Potential of Amlodipine in Lung Cancer Cells.

Background And Objective: Lung cancer stands as the leading cause of cancer-related fatalities worldwide. While chemotherapy remains a crucial treatment option for managing lung cancer in both early-stage and advanced cases, it is accompanied by significant drawbacks, including severe side effects and the development of chemoresistance. Overcoming chemoresistance represents a considerable challenge in lung cancer treatment.

Exploring the role of artificial intelligence in chemotherapy development, cancer diagnosis, and treatment: present achievements and future outlook.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative tool in oncology, offering promising applications in chemotherapy development, cancer diagnosis, and predicting chemotherapy response. Despite its potential, debates persist regarding the predictive accuracy of AI technologies, particularly machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL).

Objective: This review aims to explore the role of AI in forecasting outcomes related to chemotherapy development, cancer diagnosis, and treatment response, synthesizing current advancements and identifying critical gaps in the field.

How Advanced are Self-Assembled Nanomaterials for Targeted Drug Delivery? A Comprehensive Review of the Literature.

The development of effective drug delivery systems is a key focus in pharmaceutical research, aiming to enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. Self-assembled nanostructures present a promising solution due to their tunable properties, biocompatibility, and ability to encapsulate and deliver therapeutic agents to specific targets. This review examines recent advancements in drug-based self-assembled nanostructures for targeted delivery applications, including drug-drug conjugates, polymeric-based architectures, biomolecules, peptides, DNA, squalene conjugates and amphiphilic drugs.

Toughening Brittle Poly(ethylene Furanoate) with Linear Low-Density Polyethylene via Interface Modulation Using Reactive Compatibilizers.

Among various biorenewable polymers, poly(2,5-ethylene furandicarboxylate) (PEF) has a large potential to replace fossil-based poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) for different applications. However, despite showing better gas barrier properties compared to PET, the inferior mechanical properties of PEF hinder its potential applications. This study reports the toughening of PEF with linear low-density polyethylene (PE) via melt blending by reactive compatibilization at the polymer-polymer interface and benchmarking against similar PET/PE blends.

The Value of Applying Big Data Analytics in Health Supply Chain Management.

This study aims to evaluate the impact of big data analytics (BDA) on the performance of healthcare supply chain management (HCSCMP) by examining both overall efficiency improvements and identifying critical success factors for effective implementation. Through a systematic literature review, the research investigates how BDA enhances real-time decision-making within healthcare supply chains (HCSCs) and identifies the key enablers required for successful BDA adoption. A comprehensive search strategy was employed to analyze 65 papers, resulting in the inclusion of 39 studies published between 2016 and 2023.

Cerium-Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanostructure for Enhanced Biomedical Applications.

The development of multifunctional biomaterials holds paramount importance in advancing biomedical research and applications. This investigation focuses on synthesizing cerium/reduced graphene oxide (Ce/RGO) nanocomposites using a hydrothermal approach. Structural evaluations via XRD and Raman spectroscopy confirm the successful conversion of graphene oxide (GO) to rGO and the integration of cerium nanoparticles onto the rGO surface.

Non-Candida mycosis in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: perspective of a low-incidence region.

Background: Fungal pathogens are ubiquitous microorganisms that are implicated in a wide range of infections, affecting individuals with underlying health conditions and immune suppression therapy; however, immunocompetent individuals may also be at risk. Among these infections, many are caused by molds and yeasts other than Candida and are recognized in clinical practice, such as aspergillosis, mucormycosis, fusariosis, phaeohyphomycosis, and basidiobolomycosis, among others, each presents different clinical manifestations and requires clinical management specific to the site of involvement. Although pathogenic fungal contaminants and potential sources of mycosis in humans are plentiful in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, epidemiological reports regarding mycosis in the region are scarce.

ClinGen recuration of hearing loss associated-genes demonstrates significant changes in gene-disease validity over time.

Purpose: The ClinGen Hearing Loss Gene Curation Expert Panel (GCEP) was assembled in 2016 and has since curated 174 gene-disease relationships (GDRs) using ClinGen's semi-quantitative framework. ClinGen mandates timely recuration of all GDRs classified as Disputed, Limited, Moderate, and Strong, every 2-3 years.

Methods: Thirty-five GDRs met the criteria for recuration within two years of original curation.

Body mass index and head circumference growth charts for the United Arab Emirates-the UAEMCGS 2 study.

This study was undertaken to establish the UAE population's normal BMI and HC growth charts. BMI growth charts represent BMI values at each age and gender-specific percentiles. The UAE's development is unique in its cultural practices and genetic makeup; therefore, extrapolating health determinants from other nations to the UAE is unwise.

Evaluation of the Root and Canal Morphology of Maxillary and Mandibular Premolars in an Emirati Sub-Population.

Introduction And Aims: Numerous studies have reported that maxillary and mandibular premolars have a complex internal canal configuration, which can vary according to the race and geographic origin. Therefore, a thorough knowledge and understanding of the root and canal morphology is crucial to ensure successful outcome of root canal treatment. This retrospective study aims to describe the root and canal morphology of the maxillary and mandibular first and second premolars in the Emirati subpopulation using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Causal Association Between Microbiome and Oral-Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Introduction And Aims: This study aimed to examine the causal link between oral microbiome and the risk of oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OOPSCC) using Mendelian randomization (MR).

Methods: Utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables, we applied the MR inverse-variance weighted approach to assess the impact of salivary and tongue microbiome on OOPSCC. The data were obtained from the CNGBdb database and the UK Biobank, and analytical procedures were performed using the R package 'TwoSampleMR'.

Unveiling the antiurolithiatic potentiality of two benzene sulfonamide derivatives against ethylene glycol-induced renal calculi.

Objective: Oxidative stress and inflammation play crucial roles in the onset of kidney injury and crystal formation caused by hyperoxaluria. Indapamide is a potent medication for treating renal calculi, but it has severe side effects such as hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, and hyperuricemia. Therefore, it is advisable to explore alternative treatments that do not have these side effects.

Effects of PCSK9 inhibitors on cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) have potential applications in cancer therapy and as cholesterol-lowering treatments. The impact of PCSK9 suppression on both tumor growth and metastasis, as well as the management of diabetes, has been demonstrated. PCSK9i can also enhance outcomes and reduce cardiovascular (CV) events in individuals with a history of such events.

Skin-inspired polysaccharide-based hydrogels with tailored properties for information transmission application.

Conductive hydrogels have attracted significant research interest in flexible electronics owing to their intrinsic flexibility and biocompatibility. However, the rapid and sustainable fabrication of green conductive hydrogels with excellent mechanical and conductive properties remains a significant challenge. Inspired by the structure of human skin, modified polysaccharide-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) ionic conductive hydrogels with tailored properties were developed through Zn coordination and Hofmeister effect.

Physiological adaptations and performance enhancement with combined blood flow restricted and interval training: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objectives: We aimed to determine: (a) the chronic effects of interval training (IT) combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) on physiological adaptations (aerobic/anaerobic capacity and muscle responses) and performance enhancement (endurance and sprints), and (b) the influence of participant characteristics and intervention protocols on these effects.

Methods: Searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science (Core Collection), Cochrane Library (Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform), and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure on April 2, with updates on October 17, 2024.