Clinical, pathological, and adjuvant chemotherapy use differences among microsatellite unstable and microsatellite stable colon cancers.

Background: Colon cancers are categorized into mismatch repair deficient/microsatellite unstable (MSI-H) and mismatch repair proficient/microsatellite stable (MSS) cancers. This study aims to compare the disease characteristics and trends in the utilization of cancer therapies across different age groups and stages in these two groups. Methods: MSI-H and MSS colon adenocarcinomas from 2010 to 2016 were identified using the National Cancer Database. We compared patient and disease characteristics between the two groups and evaluated the use of adjuvant chemotherapy across age groups and cancer stages. Within MSI-H and MSS groups, we conducted a landmark analysis after propensity score matching for adjuvant chemotherapy versus no chemotherapy to determine its effect on survival. Results: Of the 542,368 patients that met inclusion criteria, 120,751 (22%) had mismatch repair results available-out of these 96,928 (80%) had MSS colon cancers while 23,823 (19.7%) had MSI-H cancers. MSI-H disease had a bimodal age distribution (<40 years = 22%; ≥75 years = 26%) and was frequent among females (22%) and non-Hispanic Whites (20%). Among those < 65 years, 15% of low-risk stage 2 MSI-H patients and 40% of high-risk stage 2 MSI-H patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. More than two-thirds of stage 3 patients <65 years received adjuvant chemotherapy in both groups. After conducting propensity-score matching for age, gender, and co-morbidities, we found that adjuvant chemotherapy use had a trend towards lower overall survival (OS) in low-risk stage 2 MSI-H (HR = 1.8 [95% CI, 0.8-4.02]) and high-risk stage 2 MSI-H (HR = 1.42 [95% CI, 0.96-2.12]) groups. Adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved OS in stage 3 colon cancer patients irrespective of microsatellite status or risk category of disease. Conclusions: MSI-H colon cancer had bimodal age distribution. Among stage 2 MSI-H patients <65 years, a notable proportion received adjuvant chemotherapy. Among MSI-H stage 2 patients, adjuvant chemotherapy use was associated with lower survival while it significantly improved survival for stage 3 patients, irrespective of MSI status.

Cloud-fog architecture-based control of smart island microgrid in master-slave organization using disturbance observer-based hybrid backstepping sliding mode controller.

Distributed control is an effective method to coordinate the microgrid with various components, and also in a smart microgrid, communication graph layouts are essential since changing the topology unexpectedly could disrupt the operation of the distributed controllers, and also an imbalance may occur between the production and load. Hence, reducing the exchanged data between units and system operator is essential in order to reduce the transmitted data volume and computational burden. For this purpose, an islanded microgrid with multiple agents which is using cloud-fog computing is proposed here, in order to reduce the computing burden on the central control unit as well as reducing data exchange among units. To balance the production power and loads in a smart island with a stable voltage/frequency, a hybrid backstepping sliding mode controller (BSMC) with disturbance observer (DO) is suggested to control voltage/frequency and current in the MG-based master-slave organization. Therefore, this paper proposes a DO-driven BSMC for controlling voltage/frequency, and power of energy sources within a Master-Slave organization; in addition, the study proposes a clod-fog computing for enhancing performance, reducing transferred data volume, and processing information on time. In the extensive simulations, the suggested controller shows a reduction in steady-state error, a fast response, and a lower total harmonic distortion (THD) for nonlinear and linear loads less than 0.33 %. The fog layer serves as a local processing level, so it reduces the exchanged data between cloud and fog nodes.

Cu immobilized on MgZnFe2O4 nanoparticles as a green catalyst in the synthesis of mono and bis-polyhydroquinolines.

In this study, a green and environmentally friendly catalyst (MgZnFe2O4@ZSC-Cu) was synthesized using a simple and clean method. The catalyst was prepared by combining MgZnFe2O4 MNPs with Ziziphus spina-christi extract (ZSC) and immobilizing Cu ions on the resulting material. The catalyst was thoroughly characterized using various techniques including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDS), Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), Thermogravimetric (TGA), and Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) analyses. The catalytic activity of MgZnFe2O4@ZSC-Cu was evaluated in the Hantzsch reaction involving a four-component reaction with ethyl acetoacetate or dimedone/cyclohexane-1,3-dione, various aromatic aldehydes/di-aldehydes, and ammonium acetate. The structure of the newly formed bis compound and polyhydroquinolines was determined using FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. This catalyst provides numerous benefits, such as simple separation using a magnet, less reaction times, high product yield, solvent-free conditions, straightforward work-up, and the capability to reuse the catalyst for up to five cycles.

Investigating the efficacy of Endolift laser and Nanofat as a combination therapy for horizontal neck lines compared to Nanofat autologous alone.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of horizontal neck wrinkles is increasingly becoming a focal point for both cosmetic professionals and clients. Various treatment approaches must be considered to address this issue effectively, owing to its diverse underlying causes. The study explores the potential of utilizing the Endolift laser in conjunction with nanofat injection as a viable treatment option. METHODS: Twenty patients with horizontal neck wrinkles involved in the study. Ten patients underwent treatment with a combination of Endolift laser and nanofat injection and 10 patients treated with nanofat injection alone. The participants were monitored for 6 months post-treatment. Biometric measurements were utilized to assess outcomes, including changes in volume, depth, and area of the wrinkles, skin elasticity, as well as the diameter and density of the epidermis and dermis in the treated area. Skin improvement was evaluated by two independent dermatologists, who compared before and after photos in a blinded manner. Patient satisfaction levels were also documented. RESULTS: The Visioface analysis showed a notable decrease in neck wrinkle depth and area in both groups. However, the group receiving the combination treatment of Endolift laser and nanofat exhibited a significantly greater improvement compared to the group treated with nanofat alone. Skin ultrasonography results demonstrated an increase in thickness and density of the dermis and epidermis in both groups. Particularly, the group treated with Endolift laser-nanofat displayed significant enhancements in dermis and epidermis density and thickness when contrasted with the nanofat-only group. Analysis with Cutometer revealed a marked enhancement in skin elasticity in the Endolift-nanofat treated group in comparison to the nanofat-only treated group. Furthermore, in the Endolift-nanofat treated group, a substantial majority (90%) of patients exhibited improvement. Patient evaluations highlighted significant distinctions between the two groups, with 95% of patients in the Endolift-nanofat treated group demonstrating enhancement. CONCLUSION: Both methods notably enhance horizontal neck wrinkles; nevertheless, the combination of endolift laser and nanofat seems to be more efficient for treating horizontal neck wrinkles.

Comparison of Thyroid Gland Sonography Index with Serum Antithyroid Peroxidase, Antithyroglobulin, and Thyroid Function Tests in Patients with Hashimoto Thyroiditis.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound examination of the thyroid has emerged as a useful diagnostic and prognostic tool, along with measuring serum titers of anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO), anti-thyroglobulin (Tg), and thyroid hormones, in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. So, we aimed at considering correlations of ultrasonographic, antibodies, and thyroid hormone levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 149 patients (118 females, 31 males; aged 18-60 years; mean age: 38.60 ± 8.03 years) who were diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis were enrolled in the study. The blood sample was taken to measure serum titers of free T3 (FT3) and T4 (FT4), TSH, anti-TPO, and anti-Tg antibody titers. The thyroid sonography of each patient was classified into one of the five grades by real-time ultrasound (US) based on echogenicity, thyroid size, and thyroid pattern. We evaluated whether there was a correlation between thyroid characteristics observed via ultrasound and serum levels of thyroid hormones, anti-TPO antibodies, and anti-Tg antibodies. RESULTS: Nodular structures were detected in 54 (36.2%) patients (38 micro-nodular and 16 macro-nodular). Echogenicity was recorded as isoechoic in 15(10.07%) and hypoechoic in 119 (79.87%) subjects. Euthyroid subjects had significantly thicker isthmus than overt and subclinical hypothyroid patients (P=0.018). Mean serum TSH, anti-Tg, and anti-TPO antibody titers showed a significant increase in patients with macro-nodules compared to those with micro-nodules and individuals without nodules (P0.05). The thickness of the isthmus had a significant negative correlation with FT4 (P=0.046; r=0.11) and FT3 (P=0.017; r=0.15), respectively. Thyroid autoantibodies had positive significant correlations with different parameters of thyroid volume (P0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid US findings, in addition to serum anti-Tg and anti-TPO antibody titers, might be correlated with the severity and extent of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, but further evaluations are needed.

Exploring autoimmune endocrine diseases induced by monoclonal antibodies used as multiple sclerosis pharmacotherapy: a systematic review.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease that targets myelin, leading to inflammation and neuron death. Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) have long been used to control the progression and exacerbations of this disorder, which may induce secondary autoimmune disease as a rare adverse event. This systematic review aimed to gather data of case reports around this subject and to explain the mechanism behind their occurrence. PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar were searched for published case reports until February 21st 2024. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist was used to assess the quality of the included studies. In total, 20 articles met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed by the authors. The most autoimmune disorders were thyroiditis and as expected induced by alemtuzumab. Ocrelizumab had one secondary autoimmune complication reported. MAbs used in MS immunotherapy have shown to induce secondary autoimmune disorders including endocrine complications, which have been reported in many case reports. It is recommended to use these agents with caution and monitor patients for symptoms of the aforementioned conditions.

Uncontrolled blood pressure among the established hypertensive elderly people in Jashore, Bangladesh: A cross-sectional type of observational study.

Objectives: Hypertension is one of the major modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity throughout the world. Increased life expectancy leads to increase prevalence of non-communicable diseases among the elderly people including Bangladesh. However, different studies reported high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension ranging from 52.6% to 67.9% among the elderly people in different countries. With this view, we aimed to assess the frequency of uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) among the elderly hypertensive people and its associated risk factors and treatment pattern in Bangladesh. Methodology: This cross-sectional type of observational study recruited 246 eligible hypertensive elderly patients attending in 250 Bedded General Hospital, Jashore, Bangladesh dated from 1st July to 31st December 2022. A structured questionnaire was developed and data on associated risk factors, treatment pattern and current blood pressure (BP) measurement were collected by face-to-face interview for the purposive sampling technique. Results: The mean age of our study patients was 72 ± 7 years with a male and female ratio nearly 1:1. Of the total hypertensive patients aged over 65 years or more, 56.5% remained with uncontrolled hypertension even on their prescribed antihypertensive medications. The mean systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were significantly high (P < 0.001) as 167 ± 22 mm Hg and 95 ± 11 mm Hg, respectively, among the uncontrolled hypertensive patients. However, we noticed the mean SBP and DBP among the total hypertensive patients were also significantly high (P < 0.001) as 148 ± 27 mm Hg and 87 ± 13 mm Hg, respectively. In this study, we reported that the mean number of last prescribed antihypertensive medications used by the total patients was 2 ± 1 (P =0.224) which was similar among the controlled and uncontrolled hypertensive patient groups. Among the elderly hypertensive patients, the most commonly prescribed antihypertensive medications were Amlodipine 39.8% (P =0.006), Olmesartan 29.3% (P = 0.186), Losartan 24.4% (P = 0.127), Bisoprolol 15.0% (P = 0.266) and Atenolol 14.6% (P = 0.224). Conclusion: We noticed high frequency of uncontrolled blood pressure among the elderly hypertensive patients, despite of using multiple antihypertensive medications in Jashore, Bangladesh.

Nanoarchitecture-Integrated Hydrogel Boosts Angiogenesis-Osteogenesis-Neurogenesis Tripling for Infected Bone Fracture Healing.

Infected fracture healing is a complicated process that includes intricate interactions at the cellular and molecular levels. In addition to angiogenesis and osteogenesis, the significance of neurogenesis in fracture healing has also been recognized in recent years. Here, a nanocomposite hydrogel containing pH-responsive zinc-gallium-humic acids (HAs) nanoparticles is developed. Through the timed release of Zn2+, Ga3+, and HAs, the hydrogel exhibits potent antibacterial effects and promotes angiogenesis, osteogenesis, and neurogenesis. The enhanced neurogenesis further promotes angiogenesis and osteogenesis, forming a mutually supportive angiogenesis-osteogenesis-neurogenesis cycle at the fracture site. The hydrogel achieves rapid infected fracture healing and improves tissue regeneration in mice. This study proposes a comprehensive treatment approach that combines antibacterial effects with the regulation of tissue regeneration to improve infected fracture healing.

Coupling artificial neural network and sperm swarm optimization for soil temperature prediction at multiple depths.

Soil temperature (ST) stands as a pivotal parameter in the realm of water resources and irrigation. It serves as a guide for farmers, enabling them to determine optimal planting and fertilization timings. In the backdrop of regions like Iran, where water resources are scarce, a proficient and economical prediction model for ST, particularly at lower depths, becomes imperative. While recent models have demonstrated adeptness in predicting ST, in general, their error decreases with increasing depth, so that they had the lowest error at a depth of 100 cm. Addressing this gap, our study pioneers a novel hybrid model that excels in accurate daily ST prediction as it delves deeper. The models deployed encompass the multilayer perceptron (MLP) and an enhanced version, MLP coupled with the Sperm Swarm Optimization Algorithm (MLP-SSO). These models prognosticate daily ST across varying depths (5-100 cm), leveraging meteorological parameters such as air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, sunshine hours, and precipitation. These parameters are anchored to the Ahvaz and Sabzevar synoptic stations in Iran, spanned over the period from 1997 to 2022. Evaluation of our research outcomes unveils that the root mean square error (RMSE) witnesses its most substantial reduction at a depth of 100 cm. For instance, at the Ahvaz station, the MLP-SSO model diminishes the RMSE value from 1.25 to 1.12 °C, in contrast to the MLP model. Similarly, at the Sabzevar station, the RMSE value drops from 1.78 to 1.49 °C using the coupled MLP-SSO model. These results robustly highlight the considerable enhancement brought about by the utilization of the MLP-SSO model, clearly surpassing the performance of the standalone MLP model. This emphasizes the potential and promise of the MLP-SSO model for future investigations, offering insights that can significantly advance the domain of soil temperature prediction and its implications for agricultural decision-making.

Adaptive closed-loop modulation of cortical theta oscillations: Insights into the neural dynamics of navigational decision-making.

Navigational decision-making tasks, such as spatial working memory (SWM), rely highly on information integration from several cortical and sub-cortical regions. Performance in SWM tasks is associated with theta rhythm, including low-frequency oscillations related to movement and memory. The interaction of the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), reflected in theta synchrony, is essential in various steps of information processing during SWM. We used a closed-loop neurofeedback (CLNF) system to upregulate theta power in the mPFC and investigate its effects on circuit dynamics and behavior in animal models. Specifically, we hypothesized that enhancing the power of the theta rhythm in the mPFC might improve SWM performance. Animals were divided into three groups: closed-loop (CL), random-loop (RL), and OFF (without stimulation). We recorded local field potential (LFP) in the mPFC while electrical reward stimulation contingent on cortical theta activity was delivered to the lateral hypothalamus (LH), which is considered one of the central reward-associated regions. We also recorded LFP in the vHPC to evaluate the related subcortical neural changes. Results revealed a sustained increase in the theta power in both mPFC and vHPC for the CL group. Our analysis also revealed an increase in mPFC-vHPC synchronization in the theta range over the stimulation sessions in the CL group, as measured by coherence and cross-correlation in the theta frequency band. The reinforcement of this circuit improved spatial decision-making performance in the subsequent behavioral results. Our findings provide direct evidence of the relationship between specific theta upregulation and SWM performance and suggest that theta oscillations are integral to cognitive processes. Overall, this study highlights the potential of adaptive CLNF systems in investigating neural dynamics in various brain circuits.

NEAT1 and CHROMR lncRNAs: a promising diagnostic tool for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma especially in elderly patients.

Background: Long non-coding (lnc) RNAs have crucial regulatory roles in molecular pathways, and their dysregulation is associated with the pathogenesis of malignancies such as Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Therefore, we aimed to study the NEAT1 and CHROMR expression in DLBCL and explore their association with clinicopathological characteristics.Methods & materials: DLBCL and non-tumor lymph node specimens were obtained to assess the expression levels.Results: NEAT1 and CHROMR expressions were significantly increased in DLBCL, and were linked with the age of DLBCL patients (aged >60). NEAT1 and CHROMR overexpression may serve as moderate-to-good diagnostic biomarkers, with NEAT1 and CHROMR exhibiting area under the curve values of 0.781 and 0.831, respectively.

[Box: see text].

​Statistical-based optimization and mechanism assessments of Arsenic (III)​ adsorption by ZnO-Halloysite nanocomposite​.

Arsenic contamination in aqueous media is a serious environmental problem, especially in developing countries. In this research, the Box-Behnken response surface methodology was used to optimize the most relevant variables affecting arsenic adsorption on the ZnO-halloysite surface, including temperature, adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time, and As (III) initial concentration. The regression analysis indicated that the experimental data were appropriately fitted to a quadratic model with the adjusted R-squared value (R2) of 0.982 for As(III) adsorption capacity and a linear model with R2 of 0.931 for As(III) removal. The p-values for both adsorption capacity and removal efficiency were below 0.05, with F-values of 116.91 and 115.58, respectively, supporting the model's validity. The optimum conditions for maximum removal of As(III) were determined through numerical and graphical optimization using the desirability function. It was found that the optimum conditions for adsorption were pH = 7.99, contact time of 3.99 h, As(III) initial concentration of 49.96 mg/L, and adsorbent dosage of 0.135 g/40 ml. The accuracy of the optimization procedure was confirmed by a confirmatory experiment, which showed a maximum arsenic removal of 91.31% and an adsorption capacity of 12.63 mg/g under optimized conditions. Moreover, XPS analysis was performed at different pH levels to investigate the As (III) adsorption mechanism. The results demonstrated that As(III) adsorption occurs at acidic and neutral pH levels. On the other hand, when pH is increased to 8, As (III) oxidizes to As (V), and then adsorption occurs.

Household financial burden associated with out-of-pocket payments for healthcare in Iran: insights from a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: One of the key functions and ultimate goals of health systems is to provide financial protection for individuals when using health services. This study sought to evaluate the level of financial protection and its inequality among individuals covered by the Social Security Organization (SSO) health insurance between September and December 2023 in Iran. METHODS: We collected data on 1691 households in five provinces using multistage sampling to examine the prevalence of catastrophic healthcare expenditure (CHE) at four different thresholds (10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) of the household's capacity to pay (CTP). Additionally, we explored the prevalence of impoverishment due to health costs and assessed socioeconomic-related inequality in OOP payments for healthcare using the concentration index and concentration curve. To measure equity in out-of-pocket (OOP) payments for healthcare, we utilized the Kakwani progressivity index (KPI). Furthermore, we employed multiple logistic regression to identify the main factors contributing to households experiencing CHE. FINDINGS: The study revealed that households in our sample allocated approximately 11% of their budgets to healthcare services. The prevalence of CHE at the thresholds of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% was found to be 47.1%, 30.1%, 20.1%, and 15.7%, respectively. Additionally, we observed that about 7.9% of the households experienced impoverishment due to health costs. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the age of the head of the household, place of residence, socioeconomic status, utilization of dental services, utilization of medicine, and province of residence were the main factors influencing CHE. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that while wealthy households spend more money on healthcare, poorer households spend a larger proportion of their total income to healthcare costs. The KPI showed that households with lower total expenditures had higher OOP payments relative to their CTP. CONCLUSION: The study findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve financial protection in healthcare and mitigate inequalities among individuals covered by SSO. It is recommended that these interventions prioritize the expansion of coverage for dental services and medication expenses, particularly for lower socioeconomic status household.

Repeated prefrontal tDCS for improving mental health and cognitive deficits in multiple sclerosis: a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study.

BACKGROUND: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease associated with physical disability, psychological impairment, and cognitive dysfunctions. Consequently, the disease burden is substantial, and treatment choices are limited. In this randomized, double-blind study, we conducted repeated prefrontal electrical stimulation in 40 patients with MS to evaluate mental health variables (quality of life, sleep difficulties, psychological distress) and cognitive dysfunctions (psychomotor speed, working memory, attention/vigilance), marking it as the third largest sample size tDCS research conducted in MS to date. METHODS: The patients were randomly assigned (block randomization method) to two groups of sham (n = 20), or 1.5-mA (n = 20) transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3) and right frontopolar cortex (Fp2) with anodal and cathodal stimulation respectively (electrode size: 25 cm2). The treatment included 10 sessions of 20 min of stimulation delivered every other day. Outcome measures were MS quality of life, sleep quality, psychological distress, and performance on a neuropsychological test battery dedicated to cognitive dysfunctions in MS (psychomotor speed, working memory, and attention). All outcome measures were evaluated at the pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments. Both patients and technicians delivering the stimulation were unaware of the type of stimulation being used. RESULTS: Repeated prefrontal real tDCS significantly improved quality of life and reduced sleep difficulties and psychological distress compared to the sham group. It, furthermore, improved psychomotor speed, attention, and vigilance compared to the sham protocol. Improvement in mental health outcome variables and cognitive outperformance were interrelated and could predict each other. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated prefrontal and frontopolar tDCS ameliorates secondary clinical symptoms related to mental health and results in beneficial cognitive effects in patients with MS. These results support applying prefrontal tDCS in larger trials for improving mental health and cognitive dysfunctions in MS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06401928.

Non-Muscle Myosin II A: Friend or Foe in Cancer?

Non-muscle myosin IIA (NM IIA) is a motor protein that belongs to the myosin II family. The myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9) gene encodes the heavy chain of NM IIA. NM IIA is a hexamer and contains three pairs of peptides, which include the dimer of heavy chains, essential light chains, and regulatory light chains. NM IIA is a part of the actomyosin complex that generates mechanical force and tension to carry out essential cellular functions, including adhesion, cytokinesis, migration, and the maintenance of cell shape and polarity. These functions are regulated via light and heavy chain phosphorylation at different amino acid residues. Apart from physiological functions, NM IIA is also linked to the development of cancer and genetic and neurological disorders. MYH9 gene mutations result in the development of several autosomal dominant disorders, such as May-Hegglin anomaly (MHA) and Epstein syndrome (EPS). Multiple studies have reported NM IIA as a tumor suppressor in melanoma and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; however, studies also indicate that NM IIA is a critical player in promoting tumorigenesis, chemoradiotherapy resistance, and stemness. The ROCK-NM IIA pathway regulates cellular movement and shape via the control of cytoskeletal dynamics. In addition, the ROCK-NM IIA pathway is dysregulated in various solid tumors and leukemia. Currently, there are very few compounds targeting NM IIA, and most of these compounds are still being studied in preclinical models. This review provides comprehensive evidence highlighting the dual role of NM IIA in multiple cancer types and summarizes the signaling networks involved in tumorigenesis. Furthermore, we also discuss the role of NM IIA as a potential therapeutic target with a focus on the ROCK-NM IIA pathway.

Serum Selenium Levels and Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies.

Selenium is a trace element with pivotal roles in metabolic processes. Studies suggested that selenium deficiency could lead to impaired lipid profiles. However, inconsistent results have been reported regarding the association between serum selenium concentrations and lipid profile (triglycerides, LDL, HDL, VLDL, and total cholesterol). Thus, we aimed to review the correlation between them. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar until 31 December 2023. The relevant correlation coefficients were used as desired effect sizes to assess the correlation between selenium level and lipid profile. Among 8291 records found in the primary search, 47 and 34 articles were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. All included studies were observational investigations and had acceptable quality. Our results failed to reach strong evidence supporting the correlation between serum selenium level and lipid profiles, except for HDL, which showed a weak correlation among both adults (r = 0.1 [0.03:0.17]; I2 = 71%) and pediatrics (r = 0.08 [0.03:0.14]; I2 = 38%). Subgroup analyses based on gender did not reveal a significant or strong correlation with selenium levels (except for total cholesterol in males (r = 0.12 [0.01:0.22]; I2 = 52%)). The results did not change after the sensitivity analysis. Although some previous studies have suggested that selenium deficiency could lead to impaired lipid profile, the findings of this study indicate no strong correlation between serum selenium levels and lipid profile.

Association Study of 3-untranslated region Haplotype of Human leukocyte antigen-G Gene with Lupus.

Background: Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a pivotal protein involved in immune regulation and tolerance, while systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifaceted autoimmune condition influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Research indicates that variations and mutations in HLA-G may impact SLE development. Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between polymorphisms in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the HLA-G gene and SLE. Methods: DNA from 100 SLE patients and 100 controls was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction to amplify the target sequence. Allele and genotype frequencies were determined, and haplotypes were assessed using Haploview v.4.2 software, with linkage disequilibrium calculated. Results: Findings revealed that the +2960 Ins allele was significantly linked to SLE as a risk factor, with the Del allele showing a protective effect. In addition, the +3010C allele and +3187A allele were significantly associated with SLE at both allele and genotype levels. The +3142 GG homozygote was notably linked to SLE at the genotype level. Haplotype analysis identified UTR-2 haplotypes as risk factors for SLE, whereas the UTR-1 haplotype was protective, shedding light on genetic factors influencing SLE risk. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of HLA-G gene 3'-UTR polymorphisms in SLE susceptibility, suggesting their potential as diagnostic or therapeutic targets.

The cost-effectiveness analysis of semaglutide for the treatment of adult and adolescent patients with overweight and obesity: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to systematically collect and synthesize available cost-effectiveness studies of semaglutide in patients with obesity or overweight in comparison with other interventions. METHODS: We comprehensively searched multiple electronic databases to identify relevant literature. Studies were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of studies was appraised using the "Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards" (CHEERS) tool. This study is conducted and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. RESULTS: Out of a total of 252 items, after review, 32 articles were fully reviewed, and, finally, 7 studies met inclusion and exclusion criteria. The discount rate was in the range of 1.5-3.5%. Studies included showed semaglutide offered more QALYs than anti-obesity drugs but because of higher cost, in some cases, ICER exceeds the willingness to pay threshold. Results show that semaglutide creates higher total cost compared to conventional interventions in patients with class I, II, and III obesities. Results show that in patients with class I obesity (BMI 33) lifestyle intervention (LI), endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), Sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and semaglutide create $124,195; $126,732; $139,971; and $370,776, respectively. CONCLUSION: The current systematic review showed that semaglutide provides more QALYs and creates more costs in comparison with phentermine-topiramate, phentermine, and naltrexone-bupropion. Semaglutide may be cost-effective with substantial cost reduction. Semaglutide appears to be cost-effective versus diet and exercise (D&E) and liraglutide but it was not cost-effective versus sleeve gastrectomy, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, and gastric bypass.

First Report of Burkholderia glumae Causing Bacterial Panicle Blight in Rice in Bangladesh.

Bacterial panicle blight (BPB) is one of the emerging diseases occurring in different Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ) of Bangladesh and can cause up to 75% yield loss. In Bangladesh, the typical symptoms of BPB include sheath rot, panicle blight, grain spotting, and grain rot in both inbred and hybrid rice varieties, which resemble those reported by Zhou (2019). To confirm, 300 field samples of 20 panicles each with typical BPB symptoms from 20 districts (3 locations each district and 5 fields per location) were collected during mid-November 2022 for the causal pathogen(s) isolation. Nearly 70% of the panicles showed a dark brown chaffy appearance in the fields. For identification of the causal pathogen(s), 1 g of rice grains with typical BPB symptoms was surface sterilized by immersing for 15 seconds in 70% ethanol, 1 min in 3% sodium hypochlorite solution followed by rinsing the grains three times, and soaked in 1 mL sterile distilled water for 10 min (Mirghasempour et al. 2018). During grinding using mortar and pestle, 5 mL water was added (Islam et al. 2023) after which the suspension (20 µL) was then streaked onto the selective medium (S-PG) (Tsushima et al. 1986). Purple color colonies on the S-PG medium were selected and purified as candidate pathogens. For further confirmation, the genomic DNA of the bacterial isolates was extracted and amplified by PCR using 16SF (5'-AGAGTTTGATCCTGGCTCAG-3') and 16SR (5'-GGCTACCTTGTTACGACTT-3') (Nandakumar et al. 2009), and glu-FW (5'-GAAGTGTCGCCGATGGAG-3') and glu-RV (5'-CCTTCACCGACAGCACGCAT-3') primers (Maeda et al. 2006). The PCR products were visualized on 1% agarose gel resulting amplicons of 1494bp for 16S-rDNA and 529bp for gyrB. The PCR results revealed 529bp amplification for gyrB gene in one sample that was collected from a field in Natore (24°21'0.00" N 89°04'59.88" E) district cultivating Swarna (a local rice variety), primarily indicating the causal pathogen is Burkholderia glumae. The PCR products were sequenced using both primers and sequence data was analyzed by the BLAST nucleotide program. The obtained partial sequences of 16S rDNA and gyrB were deposited in Genbank (OR573691 and PP332812 respectively). The homology of 16S rDNA resulted over 98% with B. glumae (OK559611 and ON870618.1) and 100% with B. glumae (PP332812 and KX213523) for gyrB gene. To confirm B. glumae by pathogenicity test, 10 mL (108 UFC/ml) suspension of the representative strains, 0.5 mL was then injected into the panicles and sheaths of Horidhan (a susceptible local variety) in greenhouse condition and a control was inoculated with distilled water (Nandakumar et al. 2009). Typical BPB like symptoms were observed after 3 weeks post inoculation. The pathogen was again confirmed by reisolating from the infected spots as B. glumae to fulfill Koch's postulates. This report confirms the presence of B. glumae causing BPB of rice in Bangladesh. Future research for the investigation of BPB and the evolutionary origins of its causal bacteria is necessary to reduce the emergence of the disease and its management in Bangladesh.