Osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of apical papilla stem cells using nanoparticles of Neo MTA and bioactive glass.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation ability and proliferation of apical papilla stem cells using nanoparticles of Neo MTA and bioactive glass. Methods: Neo MTA and bioactive glass 45S5 nanoparticles were prepared and characterized using a transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. Apical papilla stem cells were harvested from freshly-extracted fully-impacted wisdom teeth, cultured, and characterized using flow cytometric analysis. Tested nanomaterials were mixed and samples were classified into four equal groups as follows; Negative control group: SCAP with Dulbecco's modified eagle's medium, Positive control group: SCAP with inductive media, First experimental group: Neo MTA nanoparticles with SCAP, Second experimental group: Bioactive glass nanoparticles with SCAP. Osteoblastic differentiation was assessed using an alkaline phosphatase assay and RANKL expression using specific polyclonal antibodies by fluorescence microscope. The proliferation of SCAP was assessed using cell count and viability of Trypan Blue in addition to an MTT assay. Results: Isolated SCAP showed a non-hematopoietic origin. Neo MTA showed the highest ALP concentration followed by bioactive glass nanoparticles, and negative control. Bioactive glass nanoparticles showed the highest H score for RANKL protein expression followed by Neo MTA, and negative control. Bioactive glass nanoparticles showed the highest viable cell count. Conclusions: SCAP isolation is achievable from extracted fully impacted immature third molars. Both tested nanobiomaterials have the ability to induce osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of SCAP.

The Promising Frontier of Cardiometabolic Syndrome: A New Paradigm in Cardiology.

Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) is a complex interplay of metabolic dysregulation, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and diabetes risk factors. It encompasses obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, and hypertension, with obesity triggering metabolic disturbances. The global prevalence of CMS, driven by rising obesity rates and sedentary lifestyles, varies across regions. Underlying CMS mechanisms intertwine genetics, sedentary behaviors, poor diets, and hormonal imbalances. Genetic predisposition interacts with environmental factors, while sedentary lifestyles and poor diets amplify obesity and insulin resistance. Hormonal disruptions further complicate the syndrome's development. CMS has far-reaching clinical implications, extending beyond CVD and diabetes to conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cancer, and sleep apnea. Innovative CMS approaches revolve around biomarkers, personalized medicine, lifestyle interventions, and pharmacological breakthroughs. Emerging biomarkers offer early insights, while personalized medicine tailors interventions based on genetic profiles. Lifestyle modifications, encompassing dietary changes and tailored exercise, foster metabolic recalibration. The pharmaceutical frontier targets CMS facets, promising more precise treatments.

Unveiling the Unseen Struggles: A Comprehensive Review of Vitiligo's Psychological, Social, and Quality of Life Impacts.

This review explores the psychosocial impact of vitiligo on patients, its consequences for their quality of life, and the need for holistic support. Vitiligo's psychosocial burden, driven by the need to conceal lesions and societal beauty ideals, leads to stress, sadness, and low self-esteem. Social stigma affects self-esteem, especially in cultural contexts, exacerbating the need for culturally sensitive support. Anxiety and depression are common due to visible differences and societal pressures. Vitiligo significantly reduces the quality of life, especially in younger patients, impacting daily activities, careers, and relationships. Disease severity worsens these effects, particularly in visible areas and among individuals with darker skin tones. Long-term disease activity may improve acceptance and quality of life. Psychological support and counseling are crucial, as many patients don't seek medical help. Education plays a key role, improving understanding and reducing anxiety. Raising awareness about the impact of vitiligo can challenge perceptions and contribute to enhancing patients' well-being. In conclusion, this review highlights the interplay between psychosocial factors, quality of life, and the importance of addressing social stigma, providing psychological support, and advancing education and awareness for those with vitiligo.

Application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers in the Analysis of Waters and Wastewaters.

The increase of the global population and shortage of renewable water resources urges the development of possible remedies to improve the quality and reusability of waste and contaminated water supplies. Different water pollutants, such as heavy metals, dyes, pesticides, endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), and pharmaceuticals, are produced through continuous technical and industrial developments that are emerging with the increasing population. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) represent a class of synthetic receptors that can be produced from different types of polymerization reactions between a target template and functional monomer(s), having functional groups specifically interacting with the template; such interactions can be tailored according to the purpose of designing the polymer and based on the nature of the target compounds. The removal of the template using suitable knocking out agents renders a recognition cavity that can specifically rebind to the target template which is the main mechanism of the applicability of MIPs in electrochemical sensors and as solid phase extraction sorbents. MIPs have unique properties in terms of stability, selectivity, and resistance to acids and bases besides being of low cost and simple to prepare; thus, they are excellent materials to be used for water analysis. The current review represents the different applications of MIPs in the past five years for the detection of different classes of water and wastewater contaminants and possible approaches for future applications.

PRKAR1B-AS2 Long Noncoding RNA Promotes Tumorigenesis, Survival, and Chemoresistance via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway.

Many long noncoding RNAs have been implicated in tumorigenesis and chemoresistance; however, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. We investigated the role of PRKAR1B-AS2 long noncoding RNA in ovarian cancer (OC) and chemoresistance and identified potential downstream molecular circuitry underlying its action. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas OC dataset, in vitro experiments, proteomic analysis, and a xenograft OC mouse model were implemented. Our findings indicated that overexpression of PRKAR1B-AS2 is negatively correlated with overall survival in OC patients. Furthermore, PRKAR1B-AS2 knockdown-attenuated proliferation, migration, and invasion of OC cells and ameliorated cisplatin and alpelisib resistance in vitro. In proteomic analysis, silencing PRKAR1B-AS2 markedly inhibited protein expression of PI3K-110α and abrogated the phosphorylation of PDK1, AKT, and mTOR, with no significant effect on PTEN. The RNA immunoprecipitation detected a physical interaction between PRKAR1B-AS2 and PI3K-110α. Moreover, PRKAR1B-AS2 knockdown by systemic administration of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine nanoparticles loaded with PRKAR1B-AS2-specific small interfering RNA enhanced cisplatin sensitivity in a xenograft OC mouse model. In conclusion, PRKAR1B-AS2 promotes tumor growth and confers chemoresistance by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Thus, targeting PRKAR1B-AS2 may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of OC patients.

Back to the Future: Rethinking the Great Potential of lncRNAS for Optimizing Chemotherapeutic Response in Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most fatal cancers in women worldwide. Currently, platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy is the mainstay for the treatment of OC. Yet, the emergence of chemoresistance results in therapeutic failure and significant relapse despite a consistent rate of primary response. Emerging evidence substantiates the potential role of lncRNAs in determining the response to standard chemotherapy in OC. The objective of this narrative review is to provide an integrated, synthesized overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the role of lncRNAs in the emergence of resistance to platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy in OC. In addition, we sought to develop conceptual frameworks for harnessing the therapeutic potential of lncRNAs in strategies aimed at enhancing the chemotherapy response of OC. Furthermore, we offered significant new perspectives and insights on the interplay between lncRNAs and the molecular circuitries implicated in chemoresistance to determine their impacts on therapeutic response. Although this review summarizes robust data concerning the involvement of lncRNAs in the emergence of acquired resistance to platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy in OC, effective approaches for translating these lncRNAs into clinical practice warrant further investigation.

Green synthesis of graphene from recycled PET bottle wastes for use in the adsorption of dyes in aqueous solution.

Polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) is an important component of post-consumer plastic waste. This study focuses on the potential of utilizing "waste-treats-waste" by synthesis of graphene using PET bottle waste as a source material. The synthesized graphene is characterized by SEM, TEM, BET, Raman, TGA, and FT-IR. The adsorption of methylene blue (MB) and acid blue 25 (AB25) by graphene is studied and parameters such as contact time, adsorbent dosage were optimized. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is applied to investigate the effect of three variables (dye concentration, time and temperature) and their interaction on the removal efficiency. Adsorption kinetics and isotherm are followed a pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters demonstrated that adsorption of dye is spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The plastic waste can be used after transformation into valuable carbon-based nanomaterials for use in the adsorption of organic contaminants from aqueous solution.

Combined Application of Biofertilizers and Inorganic Nutrients Improves Sweet Potato Yields.

Sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam] yields currently stand at 4.5 t ha-1 on smallholder farms in Uganda, despite the attainable yield (45-48 t ha-1) of NASPOT 11 cultivar comparable to the potential yield (45 t ha-1) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). On-farm field experiments were conducted for two seasons in the Mt Elgon High Farmlands and Lake Victoria Crescent agro-ecological zones in Uganda to determine the potential of biofertilizers, specifically arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), to increase sweet potato yields (NASPOT 11 cultivar). Two kinds of biofertilizers were compared to different rates of phosphorus (P) fertilizer when applied with or without nitrogen (N) and potassium (K). The sweet potato response to treatments was variable across sites (soil types) and seasons, and significant tuber yield increase (p < 0.05) was promoted by biofertilizer and NPK treatments during the short-rain season in the Ferralsol. Tuber yields ranged from 12.8 to 20.1 t ha-1 in the Rhodic Nitisol (sandy-clay) compared to 7.6 to 14.9 t ha-1 in the Ferralsol (sandy-loam) during the same season. Root colonization was greater in the short-rain season compared to the long-rain season. Biofertilizers combined with N and K realized higher biomass and tuber yield than biofertilizers alone during the short-rain season indicating the need for starter nutrients for hyphal growth and root colonization of AMF. In this study, N0.25PK (34.6 t ha-1) and N0.5PK (32.9 t ha-1) resulted in the highest yield during the long and the short-rain season, respectively, but there was still a yield gap of 11.9 and 13.6 t ha-1 for the cultivar. Therefore, a combination of 90 kg N ha-1 and 100 kg K ha-1 with either 15 or 30 kg P ha-1 can increase sweet potato yield from 4.5 to >30 t ha-1. The results also show that to realize significance of AMF in nutrient depleted soils, starter nutrients should be included.

A novel one-step synthesis for carbon-based nanomaterials from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles waste.

Nowadays our planet suffers from an accumulation of plastic products that have the potential to cause great harm to the environment in the form of air, water, and land pollution. Plastic water bottles have become a great problem in the environment because of the large numbers consumed throughout the world. Certain types of plastic bottles can be recycled but most of them are not. This paper describes an economical solvent-free process that converts polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles waste into carbon nanostructure materials via thermal dissociation in a closed system under autogenic pressure together with additives and/or catalyst, which can act as cluster nuclei for carbon nanostructure materials such as fullerenes and carbon nanotubes. This research succeeded in producing and controlling the microstructure of various forms of carbon nanoparticles from the PET waste by optimizing the preparation parameters in terms of time, additives, and amounts of catalyst. IMPLICATIONS: Plastic water bottles are becoming a growing segment of the municipal solid waste stream in the world; some are recycled but many are left in landfill sites. Recycling PET bottles waste can positively impact the environment in several ways: for instance, reduced waste, resource conservation, energy conservation, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and decreasing the amount of pollution in air and water sources. The main novelty of the present work is based on the acquisition of high-value carbon-based nanomaterials from PET waste by a simple solvent-free chemical technique. Thus, the prepared materials are considered to be promising, cheap, eco-friendly materials that may find use in different applications.

Bradyrhizobium Inoculants Enhance Grain Yields of Soybean and Cowpea in Northern Ghana.

This study evaluated the symbiotic effectiveness and economic evaluation of Rhizobium inoculants with the objective of recommending the most effective inoculant strain for soybean and cowpea production in Northern Ghana. Field experiments were established in three locations using randomized complete block design with five blocks. A total of four treatments (Legumefix, Biofix, 100 kg N ha-1 and uninoculated control for soybean and BR 3267, BR 3262, 100 kg N ha-1 and uninoculated control for cowpea) were applied. At Nyankpala, inoculation of soybean with Legumefix and Biofix led to significant (P < 0.05) increases in nodule number (90-118%), nodule dry weight (>two-folds), and grain yield (12-19%) relative to the control. The Biofix effect on soybean grain yield was 1.5-fold of Legumefix. Similarly, inoculation of cowpea with BR 3262 and BR 3267 significantly (P < 0.05) increased nodule number (41-68%), nodule dry weight (45-65%), and grain yield (11-38%) relative to the control. Strain BR 3267 performed consistently (>two-folds) better than BR 3262 on grain yield. At Nyagli, there was no significant effect of inoculation on cowpea. Wilks lambda values (0.067, 0.039; P = 0.00) indicated that 93.3 and 96.1% of the variations observed in soybean and cowpea, respectively, were due to the applied inoculants. Biofix and BR 3267 were economically profitable with VCR ratio of 8.7 and 4.6, respectively. Based on grain yield and economic returns observed, Biofix and BR 3267 can be recommended in Nyankpala for inoculation of soybean and cowpea, respectively.

The effect of triiodothyronine on maturation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells during remyelination following induced demyelination in male albino rat.

Demyelination was induced by two weeks cuprizone treatment. Rats of +ve control and triiodothyronine (T3) then received three subcutaneous injections of either saline or T3 day after day and sacrificed at the end of the third and fifth weeks. Animals in -ve control group received only standard rodent chow. After one week of cuprizone withdrawal the corpus callosum in +ve control and T3 treated rats was still demyelinated as revealed by MBP immunohistochemistry. The assay of PLP gene showed significant increase of T3 treated group compared to both the -ve control and +ve control groups. After three weeks, significant improvement in myelination was detected in T3-treated group compared to +ve control as detected by both MBP immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. After one week of cuprizone withdrawal, PDGFRα positive cells and gene expression showed significant increase in +ve control and T3-treated groups as compared to -ve control with insignificant difference in between the former two groups. After three weeks of cuprizone withdrawal, PDGFRα positive cells in T3-treated and +ve control groups decreased to the control levels. These results suggest that T3 was effective in improving remyelination when administered during acute phase and might direct progenitor lineage toward oligodendrocytes.

Case Report: Whole-exome analysis of a child with polycystic kidney disease and ventriculomegaly.

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is an inherited ciliopathy leading to progressive kidney and liver disease. Biallelic mutations in the PKHD1 gene underlie this condition. We describe a child with bilaterally enlarged cystic kidneys, portal hypertension, and cerebral ventriculomegaly. Molecular genetic investigations using whole-exome sequencing and confirmation using Sanger sequencing revealed a homozygous pathogenic mutation in PKHD1 underlying the clinical phenotype of ARPKD. Whole-exome data analysis was used to search for additional rare variants in additional ciliopathy genes that may have contributed to the unusual brain phenotype. Aside from a rare hypomorphic allele in MKS1, no other pathogenic variants were detected. We conclude that the homozygous pathogenic mutation in PKHD1 underlies the ciliopathy phenotype in this patient.

Impact of a real-time controlled wastewater subsurface drip disposal system on the selected chemical properties of a vertisol.

The operation of onsite septic effluent disposal without considering seasonal moisture changes in drain field conditions can be a major cause of the failure of conventional septic systems. This study addressed this issue from a soil hydraulic perspective by using real-time drain field soil moisture levels to limit septic effluent disposal in a vertisol via subsurface drip irrigation. A prototype system was field-tested in a Houston clay soil and results describe the subsequent impact on selected soil chemical properties. After one year of hydraulic dosing with a synthetic wastewater, soil total carbon and nitrogen concentrations increased, but no increase in soil total phosphorus concentration was observed. Soil NO3-N leaching potential was noted, but soil NH4-N concentrations decreased, which could be ascribed to NH4-N nitrification, fixation within clay sheets and NH3 volatilization. Soil K+, Mg2+ and Na+ concentrations increased in soil layers above the drip lines, but decreased in soil layers below drip lines. Soil electrical conductivity accordingly increased in soil layers above drip lines, but the range was significantly lower than the threshold for soil salinity. Although the moisture-controlled effluent disposal strategy successfully avoided hydraulic dosing during unfavourable wet drain field conditions and prevented accumulation of soil salts in the soil profile beneath the drip lines, soil salts tended to accumulate in top soil layers. These adverse effects warrant system corrections before large-scale implementation of subsurface drip irrigation of effluent in similar vertisols.

Study of host immunity in patients with Helicobacter pylori-related idiopathic thrombocytopenia.

To test the role of T helper cell Th1 immunity we recruited 24 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenia associated with H. pylori seropositivity. They were divided into 2 groups: 12 with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (Group 1) and 12 with non-immune mediated thrombocytopenia (Group 2). We also recruited 10 individuals seronegative for H. pylori (Group 3) as controls. Initial platelet count was significantly lower in Group 1 than Group 2. H. pylori was eradicated in 10 of 12 patients in Group 1 and in all patients in Group 2. Transient improvement (< 3 months) in the platelet count occurred in only 2 patients in Group 1 while improvement for > 6 months was observed in all patients in Group 2. There was a statistically significant direct correlation between platelet count and levels of TNF- and IFN-gamma in both study groups, while a non-significant correlation was seen in Group 3. Thus, H. pylori infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all cases of thrombocytopenia, and should be eradicated in all H. pylori-positive patients with thrombocytopenia.

Study of host immunity in patients with Helicobacter pylori-related idiopathic thrombocytopenia

To test the role of T helper cell Th1 immunity we recruited 24 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenia associated with H. pylori seropositivity. They were divided into 2 groups: 12 with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia [Group 1] and 12 with non-immune mediated thrombocytopenia [Group 2]. We also recruited 10 individuals seronegative for H. pylori [Group 3] as controls. Initial platelet count was significantly lower in Group 1 than Group 2. H. pyloriwas eradicated in 10 of 12 patients in Group 1 and in all patients in Group 2. Transient improvement [< 3 months] in the platelet count occurred in only 2 patients in Group 1 while improvement for > 6 months was observed in all patients in Group 2. There was a statistically significant direct correlation between platelet count and levels of TNF- and IFN-gamma in both study groups, while a non-significant correlation was seen in Group 3. Thus, H. pyloriinfection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all cases of thrombocytopenia, and should be eradicated in all H. pylori-positive patients with thrombocytopenia

Follow-up testing for ketonuria. Is it necessary?

The authors examined the utility of confirming positive urinary ketones detected by Multistix and the designation of trace ketonuria by Acetest. They also studied whether ketonuria should signal a need for microscopic evaluation. They used Multistix to test for ketones in 4345 urine samples; 108 samples tested positive and were retested using Acetest. The positive predictive value for Multistix was 98% for samples of small amounts or more of ketonuria. Sensitivity and specificity were then assessed on 179 samples tested prospectively by both methods. Multistix specificity was high at 96%, but sensitivity decreased from 87.5% to 63.6% when trace ketonuria was regarded as positive ketonuria. In evaluating the usefulness of positive ketonuria to signal a need for microscopic examination, the authors found 12% of 78 ketotic, but otherwise negative, samples demonstrated positive microscopic findings compared with 15% for 114 chemically negative controls. The authors concluded that using Acetest for confirmation is necessary only for trace ketonuria by Multistix and that confirmatory testing of higher levels of ketonuria incurs increased costs without adding significantly to patient care. Using more sensitive Acetest detection levels does not change these results. In addition, ketonuria does not appear to signal a need for further microscopic evaluation.