Interplay of serum biomarkers bilirubin and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase in predicting cardiovascular complications in type-2 diabetes mellitus.

This editorial synthesizes insights from a series of studies examining the interplay between metabolic and oxidative stress biomarkers in cardiovascular disease (CVD), focusing particularly on type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The central piece of this synthesis is a study that investigates the balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant systems in the body through the analysis of serum bilirubin and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GGT) levels in T2DM patients with ACS. This study highlights serum bilirubin as a protective antioxidant factor, while elevated γ-GGT levels indicate increased oxidative stress and correlate with major adverse cardiovascular events. Complementary to this, other research contributions reveal γ-GGT's role as a risk factor in ACS, its association with cardiovascular mortality in broader populations, and its link to metabolic syndrome, further elucidating the metabolic dysregulation in CVDs. The collective findings from these studies underscore the critical roles of γ-GGT and serum bilirubin in cardiovascular health, especially in the context of T2DM and ACS. By providing a balanced view of the body's oxidative and antioxidative mechanisms, these insights suggest potential pathways for targeted interventions and improved prognostic assessments in patients with T2DM and ACS. This synthesis not only corroborates the pivotal role of γ-GGT in cardiovascular pathology but also introduces the protective potential of antioxidants like bilirubin, illuminating the complex interplay between T2DM and heart disease. These studies collectively underscore the critical roles of serum bilirubin and γ-GGT as biomarkers in cardiovascular health, particularly in T2DM and ACS contexts, offering insights into the body's oxidative and antioxidative mechanisms. This synthesis of research supports the potential of these biomarkers in guiding therapeutic strategies and improving prognostic assessments for patients with T2DM and some CVD.

The FSCN1 gene rs2966447 variant is associated with increased serum fascin-1 levels and breast cancer susceptibility.

Fascin-1 (FSCN1) is recognized as an actin-binding protein, commonly exhibits up-regulation in breast cancer (BC) and is crucial for tumor invasion and metastasis. The existence of FSCN1 gene polymorphisms may raise the potential for developing BC, and there are still no studies focusing on the relationship between the FSCN1 rs2966447 variant and BC risk in Egyptian females. Thus, we investigated the serum fascin-1 levels in BC patients and the association between the FSCN1 rs2966447 variant with its serum levels and BC susceptibility. Genotyping was conducted in 153 treatment-naïve BC females with different stages and 144 apparent healthy females by TaqMan® allelic discrimination assay, whereas serum fascin-1 level quantification was employed by ELISA. The FSCN1 rs2966447 variant demonstrated a significant association with BC susceptibility under all utilized genetic models, cancer stages and estrogen receptor negativity. Also, BC females with AT and TT genotypes had higher serum fascin-1 levels and tumor size than those with the AA genotype. Moreover, serum fascin-1 levels were significantly elevated in the BC females, notably in those with advanced-stages. Furthermore, serum fascin-1 levels were markedly positively correlated with number of positive lymph nodes as well as tumor size. Collectively, these findings revealed that the FSCN1 rs2966447 variant may be regarded as a strong candidate for BC susceptibility. Also, this intronic variant is associated with increased serum fascin-1 levels and tumor size.

Red Cell Alloimmunisation Among Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia Patients Following Rh- and K-Matched Red Cell Transfusion in Southwestern Saudi Arabia: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Alloimmunisation remains a major consequence of blood transfusion among sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia patients due to the exposure to non-self-red blood cell (RBC) antigen. The complication is associated with transfusion reactions and delayed transfusion procedure because of the difficulty of finding compatible blood. This study aims to determine the prevalence of alloimmunisation to RBC and alloantibody specificities among SCD and thalassemia patients in, an endemic area of SCD and thalassemia, Jazan province of Saudi Arabia, from three major hospitals. Methods: This is a retrospective, multicenter cross-sectional study conducted on 1027 patients with SCD and thalassemia, which received Rh/K matched transfusions in 2019 in the three centers. Demographic data and medical records of participants from three transfusion institutions were collected and analysed. Results: A total of 1027 were enrolled in the cohort; 906 (88.2%) and 121 (11.8%) patients with SCD and thalassemia, respectively. There were 483 (47%) males and 544 (53%) females with median age of 15 (range 1-48). Among the studied population, 78 were alloimmunised with an overall alloimmunisation rate of 7.6%. These patients developed a total of 108 alloantibodies, and anti-E was the most detected antibody (25.9%) followed by anti-K (24.1%). Conclusion: The overall rate of alloimmunisation to RBC antigen among the studied population in Jazan was low compared to other areas in the country. Most alloantibodies detected were against E and K antigens. The knowledge of most encountered alloantibodies in our population will aid in selecting the most appropriate antigen-negative red cells. Further research, however, is needed to explore factors associated with residual risk of alloimmunisation in these patients.

Cu-nanoparticles enhance the sustainable growth and yield of drought-subjected wheat through physiological progress.

Drought stress (DS) is a significant abiotic stress that limits agricultural productivity worldwide. In semi-arid climates, one potential solution to alleviate the deleterious effects of drought is the use of soil amendments such as nanoparticles. The current research was conducted out to probe the sway of drought at critical growth stages (CGS) of wheat crop (D0: Control, D1: Drought at tillering stage, and D2: Drought at anthesis stage) and the application of Cu-nanoparticles (T0: 0 mg L-1, T1: 300 mg L-1, T2: 700 mg L-1, and T3: 950 mg L-1) in order to improve drought resilience. Results of the study revealed that DS considerably decreased the wheat growth and yield during CGS. However, Cu-nanoparticles application alleviated the detrimental backlash of DS and led to improvements in various aspects of wheat growth and yield, including plant height, spike length, 1000 grain weight, stomatal conductance, leaf chlorophyll content, water use efficiency, leaf turgor potential, relative water content, and ultimately the grain yield. The use of principal component analysis allowed us to integrate and interpret the diverse findings of our study, elucidating the impact of Cu-nanoparticle treatment on wheat growth and yield under drought. Overall, the study concluded that DS during the anthesis stage had the most significant negative impact on crop yield. However, applying Cu-nanoparticles at the rate of 300 mg L-1 proved to be an effective strategy for improving crop productivity by reducing the harmful effects of drought.

Sustainability consciousness among nursing students in Egypt: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Recognizing nurses as pivotal change agents and urgent preparation for the next generation is crucial for addressing sustainability issues and cultivating a sustainable healthcare system. Reports highlight gaps in the integration of sustainable development goals (SDGs) into nursing curricula, prompting the International Council of Nurses to stress the importance of sustainable development in nursing education. The extent to which nursing students are aware of sustainability issues remains to be determined. This study addresses a global and Egyptian research gap by evaluating and comparing Sustainability Consciousness (SC) levels among nursing students at three universities, providing insights into awareness, attitudes, and behaviors related to sustainability. METHODS: This descriptive comparative study was conducted across three nursing faculties within three Egyptian public universities. The target population for this study was undergraduate nursing students enrolled in these universities during the academic year 2022-2023. This study used the extended version of the Sustainability Consciousness Questionnaire (SCQ-L) to measure individuals' knowingness, attitudes, and behaviors related to the three dimensions of sustainable development: environmental, social, and economic. RESULTS: More than half of the nursing students across the three universities expressed unfamiliarity with the SDGs. Social media was the most common source of information across the three universities. Sohag University recorded the highest median (IQR) scores in sustainability knowingness (72.0, IQR: 70.0-81.0), attitudes (56.0, IQR: 53.0-61.5), and behavior (65.0, IQR: 60.0-69.0) across their respective dimensions, as well as in overall SC (195, IQR: 184.5-208.5). This was followed by Damanhour University, with a median score of 179.0 (IQR: 124.5-194), and then Alexandria University, with a median score of 116.0 (IQR: 85.5-153), all of which were significantly different (all with p values=0.000). Older students from rural areas exhibited higher SC median scores, while students with insufficient family income and no familiarity with the SDGs had lower SC scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted the prevalent reliance on social media for information among nursing students across these universities, emphasizing the pivotal role of academic institutions in integrating sustainability development concepts in nursing education. Sohag University's notable commitment to sustainability practices has contributed to the higher SC of its students compared to Alexandria and Damanhour Universities. The study also identified age, place of residence, family income, and familiarity with the SDGs as consistent predictors of sustainability consciousness.

Liming potential and characteristics of biochar produced from woody and non-woody biomass at different pyrolysis temperatures.

Large amount of wastes are burnt or left to decompose on site or at landfills where they cause air pollution and nutrient leaching to groundwater. Waste management strategies that return these food wastes to agricultural soils recover the carbon and nutrients that would otherwise have been lost, enrich soils and improve crop productivity. The incorporation of liming materials can neutralize the protons released, hence reducing soil acidity and its adverse impacts to the soil environment, food security, and human health. Biochar derived from organic residues is becoming a source of carbon input to soil and provides multifunctional values. Biochar can be alkaline in nature, with the level of alkalinity dependent upon the feedstock and processing conditions. This study conducted a characterization of biochar derived from the pyrolysis process of eggplant and Acacia nilotica bark at temperatures of 300 °C and 600 °C. An analysis was conducted on the biochar kinds to determine their pH, phosphorus (P), as well as other elemental composition. The proximate analysis was conducted by the ASTM standard 1762-84, while the surface morphological features were measured using a scanning electron microscope. The biochar derived from Acacia nilotica bark exhibited a greater yield and higher level of fixed carbon while possessing a lower content of ash and volatile components compared to biochar derived from eggplant. The eggplant biochar exhibits a higher liming ability at 600 °C compared to the acacia nilotica bark-derived biochar. The calcium carbonate equivalent, pH, potassium (K), and phosphorus (P) levels in eggplant biochars increased as the pyrolysis temperature increased. The results suggest that biochar derived from eggplant could be a beneficial resource for storing carbon in the soil, as well as for addressing soil acidity and enhancing nutrients availability, particularly potassium and phosphorus in acidic soils.

Endoscopic balloon dilatation for pediatric subglottic stenosis: a meta-analysis of successful outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The primary goal of this study was to systematically identify all relevant published articles on the use of primary endoscopic balloon dilation for the management of pediatric patients with subglottic stenosis, critically assess the technique's success, and determine which patients are the best candidates for the procedure. METHODOLOGY: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis that aimed to investigate the use and success rate of EBD for treating pediatric SGS. An electronic systematic literature search of three major databases, PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science&MEDLINE through Clarivate, was conducted to include the eligible articles. RESULTS: A total of 14 unique studies were included in the final analysis, with 473 cases of pediatric SGS. The pooled success rate of EBD in treatment of pediatric SGS was 76% (k = 14 studies, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.65-0.86, P < 0.001, Q test for heterogeneity = 0.03, P < .001, I2 = 91%). CONCLUSIONS: We reported a high success rate of EBD in treating pediatric SGS. The reported complications were uncommon, although they can be serious and life threatening. The intensity of SGS may be related to the likelihood of therapy failure.

Beneath the Surface: Exploring Hidden Threats of Long-Term Corticosteroid Therapy to Bone Density.

Within the field of medical treatments, corticosteroids are potent substances that efficiently reduce inflammation and immunological responses, making them essential for the management of a wide range of medical ailments. However, continued use of these synthetic drugs presents a serious risk: the onset of osteoporosis brought on by corticosteroids. Determining the complex pathways by which corticosteroids cause a general disturbance in bone metabolism, suppress osteoblast function, increase osteoclast activity, and upset the delicate balance of bone remodelling emphasizes the need for all-encompassing management and prevention approaches. In this review, we aim to expose the complexities of corticosteroid-induced bone loss and urge for personalized, proactive measures to improve long-term therapeutic outcomes.

Metaplastic Breast Cancer with Squamous Differentiation: Beyond the Recognized Statistics.

Background: Metaplastic breast cancer is a clinically rare subtype of breast carcinomas, accounting for less than 1% of all breast neoplasms, and was not officially recognized till the end of the 20th century as an independent pathological diagnosis. Objective: In this paper, we report a case of metaplastic breast cancer with squamous differentiation in a 51-year-old female, with a succinct review of the literature. Case Report: The patient presented to our outpatient department with a complaint of left breast mass for 2 months duration with a diagnostic workup found to be grade three metaplastic carcinoma with squamous differentiation. The management decision was to proceed with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by surgical intervention based on the tumor cell response to neoadjuvant therapy. Conclusion: Metaplastic breast cancer represents a rare clinical entity, encountered in a minority of patients. The clinical presentation of metaplastic carcinomas in general is similar to other breast cancers, however, metaplastic breast cancer tend to present in later stages as a rapidly growing mass with poor prognosis. The recognized poor prognosis along with rarity necessities having a high index of suspicion for early detection and appropriate management of metaplastic breast cancer.

A DFT approach to correlate the physical characteristics of novel chalcopyrites ASbN2(A = Li, Na) for green technology.

Semiconductor chalcopyrite compounds have been a subject of research interest due to their diverse range of physical properties that have captured the attention of scientists. In this ongoing research, we have examined the physical characteristics of LiSbN2 and NaSbN2 chalcopyrites using DFT. The modified Becke-Johnson (mBJ) potential is utilized for the computation of electronic structures. The stability is attained with negative formation energies and optimization curves. A bandgap of 2.60 eV in LiSbN2 and 3.15 eV in NaSbN2 has been achieved, which is further endorsed by the density of states. An in-depth analysis of the optical properties unveils the potential utility of LiSbN2 and NaSbN2 in various photovoltaic devices, attributed to its pronounced absorption in the UV spectrum. The transport characteristics are also assessed through various transport characteristics. The large electrical conductivity and ZT values for both chalcopyrite compounds are attained. Due to their remarkable capability to convert heat into electricity, these materials display potential for use in thermoelectric devices.

HLD-DDoSDN: High and low-rates dataset-based DDoS attacks against SDN.

Software Defined Network (SDN) has alleviated traditional network limitations but faces a significant challenge due to the risk of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks against an SDN controller, with current detection methods lacking evaluation on unrealistic SDN datasets and standard DDoS attacks (i.e., high-rate DDoS attack). Therefore, a realistic dataset called HLD-DDoSDN is introduced, encompassing prevalent DDoS attacks specifically aimed at an SDN controller, such as User Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), and User Datagram Protocol (UDP). This SDN dataset also incorporates diverse levels of traffic fluctuations, representing different traffic variation rates (i.e., high and low rates) in DDoS attacks. It is qualitatively compared to existing SDN datasets and quantitatively evaluated across all eight scenarios to ensure its superiority. Furthermore, it fulfils the requirements of a benchmark dataset in terms of size, variety of attacks and scenarios, with significant features that highly contribute to detecting realistic SDN attacks. The features of HLD-DDoSDN are evaluated using a Deep Multilayer Perception (D-MLP) based detection approach. Experimental findings indicate that the employed features exhibit high performance in the detection accuracy, recall, and precision of detecting high and low-rate DDoS flooding attacks.

The crucial role of fascin-1 in the pathogenesis, metastasis, and chemotherapeutic resistance of breast cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer in women to be diagnosed, and it is also the second leading cause of cancer death in women globally. It is the disease that causes the most life years adjusted for disability lost among women, making it a serious worldwide health issue. Understanding and interpreting carcinogenesis and metastatic pathways is critical for curing malignancy. Fascin-1 was recognized as an actin-bundling protein with parallel, rigid bundles as a result of the cross-linking of F-actin microfilaments. Increasing levels of fascin-1 have been associated with bad prognostic profiles, aggressiveness of clinical courses, and poor survival outcomes in a variety of human malignancies. Cancer cells that overexpress fascin-1 have higher capabilities for proliferation, invasion, migration, and metastasis. Fascin-1 is being considered as a potential target for therapy as well as a potential biomarker for diagnostics in a variety of cancer types. This review aims to provide an overview of the FSCN1 gene and its protein structure, elucidate its physiological and pathological roles, and throw light on its involvement in the initiation, development, and chemotherapeutic resistance of BC.

Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) through Ammonia volatilization mitigation and nitrogen management approaches.

Management of nitrogen (N) fertilizer is a critical factor that can improve maize (Zea mays L.) production. On the other hand, high volatilization losses of N also pollute the air. A field experiment was established using a silt clay soil to examine the effect of sulfur-coated urea and sulfur from gypsum on ammonia (NH3) emission, N use efficiency (NUE), and the productivity of maize crop under alkaline calcareous soil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block (RCBD) with seven treatments in three replicates: control with no N, urea150 alone (150 kg N ha-1), urea200 alone (200 kg N ha-1), urea150 + S (60 kg ha-1 S from gypsum), urea200 + S, SCU150 (sulfur-coated urea) and SCU200. The results showed that the urea150 + S and urea200 + S significantly reduced the total NH3 by (58 and 42%) as compared with the sole application urea200. The NH3 emission reduced further in the treatment with SCU150 and SCU200 by 74 and 65%, respectively, compared to the treatment with urea200. The maize plant biomass, grain yield, and total N uptake enhanced by 5-14%, 4-17%, and 7-13, respectively, in the treatments with urea150 + s and urea200 + S, relative to the treatment with urea200 alone. Biomass, grain yield, and total N uptake further increased significantly by 22-30%, 25-28%, and 26-31%, respectively, in the treatments with SCU150 and SCU200, relative to the treatment with urea200 alone. The applications of SCU150 enhanced the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by (72%) and SCU200 by (62%) respectively, compared with the sole application of urea200 alone. In conclusion, applying S-coated urea at a lower rate of 150 kg N ha-1 compared with a higher rate of 200 kg N ha-1 may be an effective way to reduce N fertilizer application rate and mitigate NH3 emission, improve NUE, and increase maize yield. More investigations are suggested under different soil textures and climatic conditions to declare S-coated urea at 150 kg N ha-1 as the best application rate for maize to enhance maize growth and yield.

Retraction: A Rare Case of Solitary Schwannoma of Submandibular Gland.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21373.].

Retraction: Saddle Aortic Embolism Following Recovery From Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18074.].

Dynapenic Abdominal Obesity Increases Risk for Falls Among Adults Aged ≥50 Years: A Prospective Analysis of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

BACKGROUND: There is a scarcity of studies examining the longitudinal relationship between dynapenic abdominal obesity (DAO; ie, impairment in muscle strength and high waist circumference) and future fall risk. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prospective association between DAO at baseline and falls occurring during 2 years of follow-up in a nationally representative sample of middle-aged and older individuals from Ireland. METHODS: Data from 2 consecutive waves of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing survey were analyzed. Dynapenia was defined as handgrip strength of <26 kg for men and <16 kg for women. Abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumference of >88 cm for women and >102 cm for men. DAO was assessed at Wave 1 (2009-2011) and was defined as having both dynapenia and abdominal obesity. Falls occurring between Wave 1 and Wave 2 (2012-2013) were self-reported. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Data on 5 275 individuals aged ≥50 years were analyzed (mean [standard deviation {SD}] age 63.2 [8.9] years; 48.8% males). After adjustment for potential confounders, compared to no dynapenia and no abdominal obesity at baseline, DAO was significantly associated with 1.47 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-1.89) times higher odds for falls at 2-year follow-up. Dynapenia alone (odds ratio [OR] = 1.08; 95% CI: 0.84-1.40) and abdominal obesity alone (OR = 1.09; 95% CI: 0.91-1.29) were not significantly associated with falls at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: DAO increased the risk for falls among middle-aged and older adults in Ireland. Interventions to prevent or reverse DAO may be beneficial for fall reduction.

Synergistic Influence of FRET on a High Quantum Yield π- Conjugate Polycarbazole-ZnS Composite Thin Film.

The incorporation of semiconducting materials into the π-conjugate polymer improves the optical, thermal, electrical, and electrochemical properties of optoelectronic devices. In this study, polycarbazole-zinc sulfide (PCZ) composites are synthesized via an in situ polymerization process, and their thin films are produced by spin coating. ZnS enhances the charge transfer qualities of polycarbazoles, which in turn results in better photophysical and electrical characteristics. The PCZ15 thin film has an optical band gap of 2.44 eV, a refractive index of 2.15, and an Urbach energy of 0.44 eV. Relative quantum yield for the PCZ15 was 38.4%, while Förster resonance energy transfer efficiency was 2%. Excellent thermal performance was shown by the PCZ15, which was 37.04% more efficient than the pure polycarbazole with an activation energy of 356 kJ/mol. PCZ15 has an outstanding charge mobility of 54.22 m2/(V s) and a conductivity of 0.298 S/cm. High charge transfer efficiencies were discovered by electrochemical analysis, which had a specific capacitance of 116 Fg-1. These characteristics strongly supported the viability of the PCZ15 thin film as a high-performance polymer-derived composite materials for optoelectronic devices.

The local medicinal plant knowledge in Kashmir Western Himalaya: a way to foster ecological transition via community-centred health seeking strategies.

BACKGROUND: The mountainous region of Kashmir is a biodiversity hotspot, with diverse local communities and a rich cultural history linked to nature. Mountain ecosystems are highly vulnerable to climate change. This study emphasises the need to record the indigenous ethnoecological knowledge of wild plants used for the treatment of various ailments at higher elevations in remote areas where globalisation poses a threat to this traditional knowledge. METHODS: The field survey was carried out in 2020-2022, to collect data on wild medicinal plants. Informants were selected randomly to collect indigenous medicinal knowledge using semi-structured interviews and group discussions. Various quantitative indices were employed to evaluate ethnomedicinal data. RESULTS: A total of 110 medicinal plants belonging to 49 families were recorded in the study area. These medicinal plants are extensively used by local communities for the treatment of 20 major disease categories. Asteraceae was the dominant family contributing (9.09%) to medicinal plants, followed by Polygonaceae (8.18%), Apiaceae (7.27%), Lamiaceae (5.45%), and Ranunculaceae (5.45%). We observed 166 remedies were used for the treatment of various diseases in humans, and 9 remedies were used for animals. The most frequently used medicinal remedy was tea or decoction (30.91%). Among the medicinal plants, herbs (85.5%) were most frequently used by the local populations of Kashmir, whereas leaves (10.26%) were used for the treatment of various ailments. Out of 110 species, 31 were endemic, 15 of which are endemic to the Kashmir region and 16 to the Western Himalaya. The highest RFC value was reported for Allium humile (0.77), the highest UV value for Fritillaria cirrhosa (1.33), and the highest ICF value for gastro-intestinal/digestive disorders (0.85). CONCLUSIONS: Local communities still rely on wild medicinal plants for primary healthcare. These communities retained valuable indigenous knowledge, which needs to be preserved for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of natural resources. Further field exploration is required to fully explore indigenous knowledge in the mountainous regions of Kashmir, and this knowledge has the potential to support the ongoing ecological transition.