Immediate effect of physical activity on the autonomic nervous system in individuals with autism spectrum disorders of different age groups: a randomised trial.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most complex neurodevelopmental disorders. It affects almost all human physiological systems. Individuals with ASD often display dysregulation in their autonomic nervous system (ANS), which may elicit differing effects across age groups. Also, studying the ANS missed several important parameters related to ANS. Studying the ANS is crucial in developing adaptive behavioural strategies and maintaining communication abilities and social behaviours. Thus, this study compared the immediate effect of physical activity on the ANS in individuals with ASD in different age groups. Methods: 200 participants (106 males and 94 females) took part in a double-blinded randomised design. All participants were divided into four groups according to their age (4-7, 7-10, 10-13 and 14-18 years old). Participants performed a 60 min treadmill walk. The main outcome measurements were heart rate (HR), saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2), respiratory rate (RR) and end-tidal carbon dioxide (etCO2). Results: Before the study, there were non-significant differences between groups in their physical characteristics (body mass index, Childhood Autism Rating Scale, physical activity level, both parents' existence, aerobic capacity and gender) (p>0.05). At baseline measurements, there were non-significant differences between all groups for all outcome measurements (p>0.05). Immediately after physical activity, there was significant difference between group 1 and other groups (p<0.05), while all other differences were non-significant (p>0.05). At the follow-up (after 15 min of rest), group 1 maintained significant differences with the other groups for all outcome measurements (p<0.05), while there were non-significant differences between the other three groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that the SpO2 significantly decreased immediately after the physical activity, while HR, RR and etCO2 significantly increased immediately after physical activity in comparison to the baseline measurements. Contrary to other ANS parameters (SpO2, RR and etCO2), HR in early ages (4-7 years old) was higher after physical activity and remained elevated longer than other ages. The early ages (4-7 years old) take more time to return to the normal status of ANS parameters including SpO2, HR, RR and etCO2. Trial registration number: NCT05725733.

An Exploratory Experimental Analysis Backed by Quantum Mechanical Modeling, Spectroscopic, and Surface Study for C-Steel Surface in the Presence of Hydrazone-Based Schiff Bases to Fix Corrosion Defects in Acidic Media.

This work focuses on developing corrosion control and protecting the environment by creating affordable, sustainable, environmentally friendly, and efficient corrosion resistance chemicals. That is, through synthesized three hydrazone Schiff bases E-2-(1-hydrazonoethyl)thiazole (HTZ), 2-((E)-(((Z)-1-(thiazol-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazono)methyl)phenol (HTZS), and 2-((E)-(((Z)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazono)methyl)phenol (HPYS) and corrosion inhibitors for C-steel in 8 M H3PO4 solution that were studied. The chemicals were analyzed by using 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy to learn more about them. Predominantly, the hydrazone-based Schiff bases have been considered powerful inhibitors due to their ability to be adsorbed with very low concentrations through their reactive sites (N, O, and S). Maximum surface (θmax) coverage and inhibition efficiency of 83.33% were sufficiently found at 99.00 × 10-3 mol/L concentration of HTZS at 293 K. Galvanostatic experiments demonstrated that raising the concentration of hydrazones improved mass transfer resistance. To study microstructure, scanning, reflectance, and energy-dispersive X-rays were used. Roughness and qualitative adhesion of the adsorbed layer were estimated by an atomic force microscope. After adding 99.00 × 10-3 mol/L of HTZS, the degree of surface brightness and reflectance increases to 137.20, relative to the corroded electrolyte-free solution 27.70. The roughness (Ra) decreased from 0.468 to 0.088 µm by adding HTZS. A surface morphology study confirmed that adding hydrazones to the C-steel dissolution bath greatly improves the surface's look and texture quality. The atomic absorption spectroscopy technique was used to compare the concentration of the iron ions that remained in the solution after galvanostatic analysis in the absence and presence of the hydrazones under different conditions; it was found that the inhibited solution contained lower concentrations of iron ions as compared to the uninhibited solution. The DFT theoretical analysis verified the observation of hydrazone physical adsorption through bonding electrons that obey kinetic adsorption isotherms. It is based on examining the highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO), the Fukui functions, and the Mulliken atomic charge. Overall, the results suggest that HTZS is a good corrosion inhibitor with a large surface area due to the presence of S, N, and O atoms, allowing for creating a larger surface due to the large molecular volume of atoms protecting against the corrosion process.

Optimization of isotropic MoS2/PES membranes for efficient treatment of industrial oily wastewater.

Elimination of tiny oil droplets nearly miscible with wastewater can be realized using membrane technology through ultrafiltration. The novelty of this work was to blend different phases of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) in isotropic polyethersulfone (PES). We prepared isotropic PES membranes by optimizing nonsolvent vapour-induced phase separation (VIPS). Membranes were blended with MoS2 nanosheets of different phases to promote separation performance and antifouling resistance. FE-SEM revealed the flower-like surface morphology of MoS2 nanosheets. HR-TEM of MoS2 revealed 2H domains in the monolayer, flakes of a few layers and a d-spacing of 0.22 nm. Raman spectroscopy could be used to distinguish mixed-phase MoS2 from single-phase MoS2. Isotropic PES membranes modified with 70% 1T/2H MoS2 had a significantly high permeance to pure water (6911 kg m-2 h bar). The same membrane possessed a high efficiency of oil rejection of 98.78%, 97.85%, 99.83% for emulsions of industrial crude oil at 100, 1000 and 10 000 mg L-1, respectively. Removal of oil droplets from wastewater was dominated by a mechanism based on size exclusion. Isotropic PES modified with 2H MoS2 possessed superior oleophilicity, which resulted in low rejection of crude oil. Modified membranes showed excellent fouling resistance for three successive filtration cycles, as evidenced by enhanced antifouling parameters. Our study reveals how the phase composition of MoS2 nanosheets can significantly affect the performance of isotropic PES membranes during the ultrafiltration of oily wastewater.

Decoding the secrets of longevity: unraveling nutraceutical and miRNA-Mediated aging pathways and therapeutic strategies.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short RNA molecules that are not involved in coding for proteins. They have a significant function in regulating gene expression after the process of transcription. Their participation in several biological processes has rendered them appealing subjects for investigating age-related disorders. Increasing data indicates that miRNAs can be influenced by dietary variables, such as macronutrients, micronutrients, trace minerals, and nutraceuticals. This review examines the influence of dietary factors and nutraceuticals on the regulation of miRNA in relation to the process of aging. We examine the present comprehension of miRNA disruption in age-related illnesses and emphasize the possibility of dietary manipulation as a means of prevention or treatment. Consolidating animal and human research is essential to validate the significance of dietary miRNA control in living organisms, despite the abundance of information already provided by several studies. This review elucidates the complex interaction among miRNAs, nutrition, and aging, offering valuable insights into promising areas for further research and potential therapies for age-related disorders.

Deregulated expression of autophagy genes; PIK3C3 and RAB7A in COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: The role of autophagy in coronaviruses infection and replication has a lot of debate. Autophagy involves the catalytic breakdown of intracellular components to be subsequently recycled by the lysosome. The aim of the study was to evaluate autophagy genes; PIK3C3 and RAB7A expressions in COVID-19 patients, and identify if PIK3C3 and RAB7A can be used as markers for monitoring COVID-19 patients. METHODS: A case-control study was carried out on 50 patients and 50 healthy controls. Genes expression was performed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Compared to controls, PIK3C3 and RAB7A gene expression levels were significantly lower in patients (p < 0.001) with approximately with 9.4 and 2.3 decreased fold in PIK3C3 and RAB7A respectively. The ROC curve of PIK3C3 and RAB7A expressions showed sensitivity of 84 % and 74 % and specificity of 98 % and 78 % respectively. There was a positive correlation between PIK3C3 expression and WBCs, absolute neutrophil count, interleukin-6, D-dimer, and ALT among patients and between RAB7A expression and WBCs, CRP, IL-6, D-dimer and ALT in patients. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed reduction of PIK3C3 and RAB7A expressions in COVID-19 patients. However, further studies are recommended to clarify their roles in the disease pathogenies as autophagy genes.

Venous thromboembolism in Cushing syndrome: results from an EuRRECa and Endo-ERN survey.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Cushing syndrome (CS) are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate current management of new cases of CS with a focus on VTE and thromboprophylaxis. DESIGN AND METHODS: A survey was conducted within those that report in electronic reporting tool (e-REC) of The European Registries for Rare Endocrine Conditions (EuRRECa) and the involved main thematic groups (MTG's) of the European Reference Networks for Rare Endocrine Disorders (Endo-ERN) on new patients with CS from January 2021 until July 2022. RESULTS: Of 222 patients (mean age 44 years, 165 females), 141 patients had Cushing disease (64%), 69 adrenal CS (31%) and 12 patients ectopic CS (5.4%). The mean follow-up period post CS diagnosis was 15 months (range 3-30). Cortisol lowering medications were initiated in 38% of patients. One hundred and fifty-four patients (69%) received thromboprophylaxis (including patients on chronic anticoagulant treatment), of which low-molecular weight-heparins were used in 96% of cases. VTE was reported in 6 patients (2.7%), of which 1 was fatal: 2 long before CS diagnosis, 2 between diagnosis and surgery and 2 post-operatively. Three patients were using thromboprophylaxis at time of the VTE diagnosis. The incidence rate of VTE in patients after Cushing syndrome diagnosis in our study cohort was 14.6 (95% CI 5.5; 38.6) per 1000 person-years. CONCLUSIONS: Thirty percent of patients with CS did not receive preoperative thromboprophylaxis during their active disease stage and half of the VTE cases even occurred during this stage despite thromboprophylaxis Prospective trials to establish the optimal thromboprophylaxis strategy in CS patients are highly needed.

Association between hepatitis C virus genotype 4 and renal cell carcinoma: Molecular and virological studies.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common infection worldwide. The correlation between HCV and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is still mysterious. Therefore, the relationship between HCV and RCC was investigated. The study included 100 patients with RCC; 32 with HCV infection, and 68 without HCV infection. Expressions of viral proteins (NS3 and NS5A) were tested using an immune electron-microscope (IEM) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). IHC and quantitative real time-PCR investigated the presentation of human proteins TP53 and p21 genes. Transmission electron (TEM) detected viral-like particles in infected RCC tissues. The gene and protein expression of P53 was higher in HCV positive versus HCV negative patients and p21 was lower in HCV positive versus HCV negative in both tumor and normal tissue samples. Viral like particles were observed by TEM in the infected tumor and normal portion of the RCC tissues and the plasma samples. The IEM showed the depositions of NS3 and NS5A in infected renal tissues, while in noninfected samples, were not observed. The study hypothesizes that a correlation between HCV and RCC could exist through successfully detecting HCV-like particles, HCV proteins, and (p53 and p21) in RCC-infected patients.

Dihydrophenazine: A multifunctional new weapon that kills multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and restores carbapenem and oxidative stress susceptibilities.

AIMS: The current work aims to fully characterize a new antimicrobial agent against Acinetobacter baumannii, which continues to represent a growing threat to healthcare settings worldwide. With minimal treatment options due to the extensive spread of resistance to almost all the available antimicrobials, the hunt for new antimicrobial agents is a high priority. METHODS AND RESULTS: An Egyptian soil-derived bacterium strain NHM-077B proved to be a promising source for a new antimicrobial agent. Bio-guided fractionation of the culture supernatants of NHM-077B followed by chemical structure elucidation identified the active antimicrobial agent as 1-hydroxy phenazine. Chemical synthesis yielded more derivatives, including dihydrophenazine (DHP), which proved to be the most potent against A. baumannii, yet it exhibited a safe cytotoxicity profile against human skin fibroblasts. Proteomics analysis of the cells treated with DHP revealed multiple proteins with altered expression that could be correlated to the observed phenotypes and potential mechanism of the antimicrobial action of DHP. DHP is a multi-pronged agent that affects membrane integrity, increases susceptibility to oxidative stress, interferes with amino acids/protein synthesis, and modulates virulence-related proteins. Interestingly, DHP in sub-inhibitory concentrations re-sensitizes the highly virulent carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii strain AB5075 to carbapenems providing great hope in regaining some of the benefits of this important class of antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: This work underscores the potential of DHP as a promising new agent with multifunctional roles as both a classical and non-conventional antimicrobial agent that is urgently needed.

Successful Use of Intravenous Methylnaltrexone for Opioid-Induced Constipation in Critically Ill Pediatric Patients.

Objectives Methylnaltrexone is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved as a subcutaneous injection for adults with opioid-induced constipation (OIC). Case series have described the use of methylnaltrexone for OIC in the pediatric oncology population. There are limited data describing its intravenous use in critically ill pediatric patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Patients less than 18 years old who received at least one dose of intravenous methylnaltrexone while admitted to an intensive care unit between January 2016 and August 2019 were included. The primary outcome was documented laxation within 24 hours of methylnaltrexone administration. Results Sixteen patients received a total of 34 doses of intravenous methylnaltrexone. Patients received a median of 1.69 (interquartile range [IQR], 0.9-4.86) morphine milligram equivalents per kilogram per 24 hours, over a median of 14 days (IQR, 11-30), before methylnaltrexone administration. The median dose of methylnaltrexone was 0.15 mg/kg (IQR, 0.15-0.16). Ten patients (63%) responded to the first dose of methylnaltrexone, and 14 patients (88%) responded to at least one dose. Overall, 26 doses (76%) led to patient response. Four patients (25%) experienced adverse events (emesis, abdominal pain) after methylnaltrexone administration. No signs or symptoms of opioid withdrawal were documented. Conclusions Intravenous methylnaltrexone appears to be safe and effective in treating OIC in critically ill pediatric patients. No serious adverse events or signs of opioid withdrawal were observed after single and repeat dosing. Patients responded to methylnaltrexone with varying opioid dosing and durations prior to administration.

HbA1c or fructosamine on evaluating glucose intolerance in children with beta- thalassemia.

BACKGROUND: Beta-thalassemia major (ß-TM) patients are more likely to experience blood glucose intolerance and to date; the blood markers that could evaluate this are debatable. So, this study aimed to assess the roles of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fructosamine in evaluating glucose intolerance in children with ß-TM and figuring out role of insulin resistance in these patients. METHODS: One hundred children diagnosed with ß-TM and 100 age and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h post-prandial blood glucose (2-h PG), HbA1c, fructosamine, fasting insulin level (FINS), insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), and insulin sensitivity index (HOMA-IS) were evaluated. RESULTS: FPG and 2-h PG revealed glucose intolerance in 51 patients (51%), 19 of them had diabetes mellitus. HbA1c, fructosamine, FINS, and HOMA-IR showed a high statistically significant increase in patients compared to controls, (P < 0.001). Results revealed fructosamine was more specific in detecting prediabetes state and more sensitive in identifying diabetes mellitus in our patients when compared to HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: Despite controversies on HbA1c in children with ß-TM, it is still valuable in glucose intolerance detection. Fructosamine showed more sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, insulin resistance was prevalent in children with ß-TM highlighting the necessity of regular glycemic state evaluation. IMPACT: Glucose intolerance is a common complication in beta thalassemia patients. Conflicting data was reported about the role of HbA1c and fructosamine in evaluating glucose intolerance in thalassemic patients. Fructosamine does not yet have a threshold that may be used to distinguish between patients who have diabetes mellitus and those who do not. Fructosamine was more specific in detecting blood glucose intolerance compared to HbA1c and was more sensitive for diagnosing diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance was common in patients with beta-thalassemia and often present before the onset of overt diabetes.

Unveiling the pharmacological potential of plant triterpenoids in breast cancer management: an updated review.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer, the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women globally. Recent research has provided increasing support for the significance of phytochemicals, both dietary and non-dietary, particularly triterpenoids, in the mitigation and management of breast cancer. Recent studies showed that triterpenoids are promising agents in the treatment and inhibition of breast cancer achieved through the implementation of several molecular modes of action on breast cancer cells. This review discusses recent innovations in plant triterpenoids and their underlying mechanisms of action in combating breast cancer within the timeframe spanning from 2017 to 2023. The present work is an overview of different plant triterpenoids with significant inhibition on proliferation, migration, apoptosis resistance, tumor angiogenesis, or metastasis in various breast cancer cells. The anticancer impact of triterpenoids may be attributed to their antiproliferative activity interfering with angiogenesis and differentiation, regulation of apoptosis, DNA polymerase inhibition, change in signal transductions, and impeding metastasis. The present review focuses on several targets, mechanisms, and pathways associated with pentacyclic triterpenoids, which are responsible for their anticancer effects. We could conclude that natural triterpenoids are considered promising agents to conquer breast cancer.

Evaluation of Serum CA 19-9 as a Diagnostic Marker for Pancreatic Malignancy.

In biliary-pancreatic malignancy, the serum CA 19-9 is considered as a tumor marker. Its high level may indicate the presence of a malignant disorder, but it can also be raised in benign conditions and also in malignancies from other organs. The value may be normal even in malignant condition. This comparative study was conducted in the Department of Surgery of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Bangladesh from 1st June 2016 to 31st May 2017 to determine the sensitivity and specificity of CA 19-9 as a tumor marker in pancreatic malignancy in our perspective and to establish a cut-off value of CA 19-9 which might prove as a definitive indication of pancreatic malignancy. We found that when the cut off value of CA 19-9 is 38 U/ml (according to ROC curve), the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 77.8%, 77.8%, 77.8%, 77.8% respectively. And if the serum CA 19-9 threshold was raised to 100 and 120 to diagnose pancreatic cancer, sensitivity became 72.2% and 66.7% and NPV 76.2% and 73.9% respectively. However, the specificity increased to 88.9% and 94.4% and the PPV increased to 86.7% and 92.3% respectively.

3D bioprinting of liver models: A systematic scoping review of methods, bioinks, and reporting quality.

Background: Effective communication is crucial for broad acceptance and applicability of alternative methods in 3R biomedical research and preclinical testing. 3D bioprinting is used to construct intricate biological structures towards functional liver models, specifically engineered for deployment as alternative models in drug screening, toxicological investigations, and tissue engineering. Despite a growing number of reviews in this emerging field, a comprehensive study, systematically assessing practices and reporting quality for bioprinted liver models is missing. Methods: In this systematic scoping review we systematically searched MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid) and BioRxiv for studies published prior to June 2nd, 2022. We extracted data on methodological conduct, applied bioinks, the composition of the printed model, performed experiments and model applications. Records were screened for eligibility and data were extracted from included articles by two independent reviewers from a panel of seven domain experts specializing in bioprinting and liver biology. We used RAYYAN for the screening process and SyRF for data extraction. We used R for data analysis, and R and Graphpad PRISM for visualization. Results: Through our systematic database search we identified 1042 records, from which 63 met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in this systematic scoping review. Our findings revealed that extrusion-based printing, in conjunction with bioinks composed of natural components, emerged as the predominant printing technique in the bioprinting of liver models. Notably, the HepG2 hepatoma cell line was the most frequently employed liver cell type, despite acknowledged limitations. Furthermore, 51% of the printed models featured co-cultures with non-parenchymal cells to enhance their complexity. The included studies offered a variety of techniques for characterizing these liver models, with their primary application predominantly focused on toxicity testing. Among the frequently analyzed liver markers, albumin and urea stood out. Additionally, Cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms, primarily CYP3A and CYP1A, were assessed, and select studies employed nuclear receptor agonists to induce CYP activity. Conclusion: Our systematic scoping review offers an evidence-based overview and evaluation of the current state of research on bioprinted liver models, representing a promising and innovative technology for creating alternative organ models. We conducted a thorough examination of both the methodological and technical facets of model development and scrutinized the reporting quality within the realm of bioprinted liver models. This systematic scoping review can serve as a valuable template for systematically evaluating the progress of organ model development in various other domains. The transparently derived evidence presented here can provide essential support to the research community, facilitating the adaptation of technological advancements, the establishment of standards, and the enhancement of model robustness. This is particularly crucial as we work toward the long-term objective of establishing new approach methods as reliable alternatives to animal testing, with extensive and versatile applications.

Healthcare Providers' knowledge, attitudes and practice in relation to drug hypersensitivity reactions at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh.

Background: Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) are immune-mediated responses triggered by exposure to a drug. DHRs are responsible for serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and are considered the fifth leading cause of death. This study aims to assess and evaluate the knowledge, practice, and attitudes of healthcare providers (HCPs) towards DHRs. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Healthcare providers, including pharmacists, physicians, and nurses, were recruited using a convenience sampling method to complete the survey. The survey comprised three domains: knowledge (14 items), attitudes (5 items), and practices (6 items), utilizing a standardized self-administered questionnaire. Results: The survey was completed by 373 healthcare providers. The respondents were predominantly female (72.1 %) with a mean age of 33.8 ± 7.8 years. Of the respondents, 64 % were nurses, 25 % pharmacists, and 11.3 % physicians. Educational levels varied, with 53 % holding a bachelor's degree, 22 % an associate degree, and 25 % a master's degree or higher. The median knowledge score was 48. Female healthcare providers, those with advanced levels of education, and physicians had higher knowledge scores compared to male and nurse participants (p < 0.05). One-third of the respondents (33 %) were satisfied with their knowledge of DHRs, and 42 % believed HCPs should receive more advanced training in DHR management. Less than a quarter of HCPs reported inquiring about patients' histories of hypersensitivity reactions. Conclusions: The study revealed that healthcare workers had a relatively low level of knowledge about drug hypersensitivity reactions and lacked a consensus on DHR management. While displaying a positive attitude towards DHRs, they often did not translate this attitude into consistent clinical practice.

Iron-tannic acid nano-coating: A promising treatment approach for enhancing Lactococcus lactis antibiotic resistance.

The objective of this study was to explore a novel methodology for the synthesis of nanocoated probiotics following their collection and cultivation under optimized conditions, in light of their significant contribution to human health. Probiotics are instrumental in sustaining immune health by modulating the gastrointestinal microbiota and facilitating digestion. However, the equilibrium they maintain can be adversely affected by antibiotic treatments. It is critical to investigate the vulnerability of probiotics to antibiotics, considering the potential implications. This research aimed to assess whether nanoparticle coating could augment the probiotics' resistance to antibiotic influence. A strain of Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) was isolated, cultured, and comprehensively characterized utilizing state-of-the-art methodologies, including the VITEK® 2 compact system, VITEK® MS, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The nanoparticle coating was performed using iron (III) chloride hexahydrate and tannic acid, followed by an evaluation of the probiotics' resistance to a range of antibiotics. The analysis through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) demonstrated a partial nanoparticle coating of the probiotics, which was further supported by UV/Vis spectroscopy findings, suggesting enhanced resistance to standard antibiotics. The results revealed that this strain possesses a unique protein profile and is genetically similar to strains identified in various other countries. Moreover, nano-encapsulation notably increased the strain's resistance to a spectrum of standard antibiotics, including Benzylpenicillin, Teicoplanin, Oxacillin, Vancomycin, Tetracycline, Rifampicin, Erythromycin, and Clindamycin. These findings imply that nanoparticle-coated probiotics may effectively counteract the detrimental effects of extended antibiotic therapy, thus preserving their viability and beneficial influence on gastrointestinal health.

Novel 2-[thio]acetamide linked quinazoline/1,2,4-triazole/chalcone hybrids: Design, synthesis, and anticancer activity as EGFR inhibitors and apoptotic inducers.

Novel triazoloquinazolines carrying the 2-[thio]acetamide entity (4 and 5a-d) and triazoloquinazoline/chalcone hybrids incorporating the 2-[thio]acetamide linker (8a-b and 9a-f) were developed as anticancer candidates. NCI screening of the synthesized compounds at 10 µM concentration displayed growth inhibition not only up to 99.74% as observed for 9a but also a lethal effect could be achieved as stated for compounds 9c (RPMI-8226 and HCT-116) and 8b, 9a, and 9e on the HCT-116 cell line. The antiproliferative activity was determined for the chalcone series on three cell lines: RPMI-8226, HCT-116, and MCF-7. Compounds 8b, 9a, 9b, and 9f were the most active ones. To understand the mechanistic study, the inhibitory effect on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase was evaluated. The results stated that the activity of compound 8b (IC50 = 0.07 µM) was near that of the reference drug erlotinib (IC50 = 0.052 µM) whereas compound 9b (IC50 = 0.045 µM) was found to be more potent than erlotinib. Both compounds 8b and 9b were selected for cell cycle analysis and apoptotic assays. Moreover, molecular docking results of the selected chalcone hybrids showed high binding scores and good binding affinities especially for 8b and 9b, which were consistent with the biological activity (EGFR).

Antibiotics efficacy in clinical and microbiological cure of uncomplicated urinary tract infection: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Fosfomycin has been used more frequently in managing uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to decreased compliance and increased multidrug-resistant bacteria. The aim of this network meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of Fosfomycin compared to Nitrofurantoin, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), and Ciprofloxacin in terms of clinical and microbiological cure alongside with other measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). We included randomized control trials (RCTs) with uncomplicated UTI patients who received Fosfomycin, Nitrofurantoin, TMP-SMX, or Ciprofloxacin and reported the clinical or microbiological cure. We used Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool to assess the included studies' quality. R-software was used for all statistical analysis. We ranked all antibiotics using the netrank function which yielded P scores. Frequentist network meta-analysis was used to assess the efficacy of all outcomes. RESULTS: We included 13 RCTs with a total number of 3856 patients that showed Fosfomycin ranked the highest among the other antibiotics with respect to clinical cure (P-score = 0.99) and microbiological cure (P-score = 0.99) while Ciprofloxacin ranked the lowest (P-score = 0.11 and 0.02, respectively). Moreover, Ciprofloxacin yielded the highest relapse rate (P-score = 1), whereas TMP-SMX had the lowest relapse rate (P-score = 0.07). As for the adverse events, Ciprofloxacin demonstrated the highest adverse events as opposed to Fosfomycin (P-score = 0.98 and 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: The network meta-analysis demonstrated that Fosfomycin is the most effective antibiotic in treating uncomplicated UTIs with respect to clinical cure, microbiological cure, and adverse events profile.

Transcriptome Profiling of a Salt Excluder Hybrid Grapevine Rootstock 'Ruggeri' throughout Salinity.

Salinity is one of the substantial threats to plant productivity and could be escorted by other stresses such as heat and drought. It impairs critical biological processes, such as photosynthesis, energy, and water/nutrient acquisition, ultimately leading to cell death when stress intensity becomes uncured. Therefore, plants deploy several proper processes to overcome such hostile circumstances. Grapevine is one of the most important crops worldwide that is relatively salt-tolerant and preferentially cultivated in hot and semi-arid areas. One of the most applicable strategies for sustainable viticulture is using salt-tolerant rootstock such as Ruggeri (RUG). The rootstock showed efficient capacity of photosynthesis, ROS detoxification, and carbohydrate accumulation under salinity. The current study utilized the transcriptome profiling approach to identify the molecular events of RUG throughout a regime of salt stress followed by a recovery procedure. The data showed progressive changes in the transcriptome profiling throughout salinity, underpinning the involvement of a large number of genes in transcriptional reprogramming during stress. Our results established a considerable enrichment of the biological process GO-terms related to salinity adaptation, such as signaling, hormones, photosynthesis, carbohydrates, and ROS homeostasis. Among the battery of molecular/cellular responses launched upon salinity, ROS homeostasis plays the central role of salt adaptation.

The Effects of Cataract Surgery on Children's Vision: A Systematic Review.

Background: Five-fifths of all incidents of blindness in Saudi Arabia may be attributed to cataracts. Cataracts are the second major cause of blindness, responsible for 35.5% of cases. Therefore, the purpose of the research was to measure the visual acuity improvement after cataract surgery in children. Materials and Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic reviews. All procedures followed the recommendations of the Cochrane handbook. Studies of varying study designs, both published and unpublished, are included. Retrospective studies with outcomes of pediatric cataract surgery were identified from various databases. Result: After an initial screening, 108 out of 167 items were deemed unsuitable for publication. There were 59 full-text papers assessed for inclusion, and only seven matched the criteria. All the articles included were of a very high standard. Both the duration of therapy and the target population varied widely between the studies. Conclusion: The results indicated that the majority of childhood cataracts are hereditary. Primary posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy combined with cataract extraction and intra-ocular lens implantation is the treatment of choice for pediatric cataracts. It is recommended that surgery be performed in a properly equipped facility staffed by trained, cooperative personnel and that different procedures be used to enhance post-operative follow-up.

Exploring the Oral Manifestations and Hazards to Dental Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has inundated the whole world by causing severe acute respiratory syndrome in humans, thus posing serious public health concerns. The oral and olfactory systems are significantly impacted by the COVID-19 condition, in addition to the respiratory and digestive systems. Oral symptoms of COVID-19 can be caused by a loss in oral hygiene, immune system suppression, a decline in general health, and candidiasis due to prolonged antibiotic use. Because many aerosols and droplets are produced during various dental operations, dental professionals and dentists are at a significant risk of contracting the COVID-19 infection. Few precautionary measures include performing a pre-appointment health screening for all patients, performing aerosol-producing procedures in a designated space or operatory, using proper personal protective equipment and disinfecting the operatory between patients, and limiting the number of dental procedures at one time. Against this background, the purposes of this article are to explore the oral presentations of COVID-19 infection and to emphasize the hazards to dental professionals during COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, few preventive measures are also highlighted.