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Allopurinol attenuates development of Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS-induced cardiomyopathy in mice
Oxidative stress is involved in the progression of periodontitis, independently of confounding factors such as smoking, and numerous studies suggest that periodontitis is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In this study, therefore, we examined the effects of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol on cardiac dysfunction in mice treated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (PG-LPS) at a dose (0.8 mg/kg/day) equivalent to the circulating level in patients with periodontal disease. Mice were divided into four groups: 1) control, 2) PG-LPS, 3) allopurinol, and 4) PG-LPS + allopurinol. After1 week, we evaluated cardiac function by echocardiography. The left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly decreased in PG-LPS-treated mice compared to the control (from 68 ± 1.3 to 60 ± 2.7%), while allopurinol ameliorated the dysfunction (67 ± 1.1%). The area of cardiac fibrosis was significantly increased (approximately 3.6-fold) and the number of apoptotic myocytes was significantly increased (approximately 7.7-fold) in the heart of the PG-LPS-treated group versus the control, and these changes were suppressed by allopurinol. The impairment of cardiac function in PG-LPS-treated mice was associated with increased production of reactive oxygen species by xanthine oxidase and NADPH oxidase 4, leading to calmodulin kinase II activation with increased ryanodine receptor 2 phosphorylation. These changes were also suppressed by allopurinol. Our results suggest that oxidative stress plays an important role in the PG-LPS-promoted development of cardiac diseases, and further indicate that allopurinol ameliorates Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS-induced cardiac dysfunction.
A continuous kinematic calibration method for accuracy maintenance of industrial robot based on recursive least squares algorithm
Experiences of Indigenous peoples living with pelvic health conditions: A scoping review
Background Pelvic health conditions significantly impact quality of life and are prevalent in the general population. Urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic pain are examples of pelvic health conditions. A scoping review was conducted to understand what is currently known about pelvic health conditions experienced by Indigenous populations worldwide. To date, no such review has been reported. Methods A scoping review methodology was used. In February 2024, a search was conducted, capturing both primary and grey literature. An iterative process of abstract and full text screening was conducted by two reviewers before proceeding to data extraction. Inclusion criteria focused on English publications and reports of pelvic health conditions experienced by Indigenous peoples. Data was collected in Google Sheets, and then underwent descriptive statistical analysis. Publications that provided qualitative data were further analyzed using thematic analysis. Results A total of 242 publications were included in the analysis. Several patterns emerged: most publications originated from English-speaking regions, fewer than half of publications specifically recruited Indigenous peoples, women participated in more studies than men, and bladder conditions were most frequently reported. Perceptions of pelvic health conditions and experiences with help seeking and the health care system were described. Notable gaps were a lack of publications and representation of Indigenous peoples from China, Russia, and Nordic countries, minimal representation of gender diverse populations, few publications reporting on auto-immune and bowel conditions, and limited mention of trauma-informed and culturally safe approaches. Conclusions This study highlights gaps in the current literature around gender representation, bowel and auto-immune conditions, regional representation, and the use of safety frameworks, which may inform future research initiatives. It also summarizes the existing literature, which may inform clinical and health system-level decision making.
Effectiveness of Trichoderma harzianum in mitigating Beet curly top Iran virus infection in tomato plants
Do smartphones and social media really harm teens’ mental health?
Healthcare professionals interpersonal variability and determinants of medical decision thresholds for active management of extremely preterm infants in a level 3 perinatal center in France
Background Before 26 weeks of gestational age, because extremely preterm infants (EPI) face a high risk of death or disability, management decisions may involve either active treatment or palliative care. Survival chances largely depend on the willingness of medical teams and parents to opt for active management. Variability of practices explains differences in survival between countries and regions, and interpersonal variability may also exist among caregivers within the same center. Our objective was to study the variability of management decisions and their determinants among caregivers in a French type 3 maternity hospital. Methods All caregivers, obstetricians, pediatricians, and midwives, involved in the management of EPI in a type 3 perinatal center were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. Each respondent reported their personal thresholds for deciding on active management, defined as the unborn child’s estimated likelihood of survival without severe neonatal morbidity. Median and interquartile ranges (IQR) of these thresholds were calculated and compared by respondent characteristics. Results 85 (75%) eligible professionals responded. The median threshold of survival without severe neonatal morbidity below which active management was deemed impossible was 15% (IQR 10-30%), while the median threshold above which active management could not be refused was 80% (IQR 70-90%). Wide IQRs indicated significant variability in individual thresholds. This variability appeared to be influenced by profession and gender but was not associated with factors such as having children, age, experience, or the personal estimates of the neonates’ outcomes. Conclusions Decision thresholds for active management of EPI, expressed in terms of survival without severe neonatal morbidity, vary significantly among professionals. The thresholds reported in our study were notably higher than those observed in other countries, which may help explain the lower rates of active management before 26 weeks in France. Recognizing these differences and comparing personal thresholds with peers could facilitate more consensus-based decision-making within teams.
Publisher Correction: Extreme heat affects blueberry pollen nutrition, bee health, and plant reproduction
Prevalence and associated factors of chronic kidney disease among adults receiving antiretroviral therapy at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital
Background Antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves life expectancy in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is greater in people living with HIV (PLWH) than in the general population, and it is becoming a significant public health issue, increasing disease progression and complicating treatment. However, patients in Africa are not routinely screened due to resource constraints, which leads to a high CKD burden. Identifying the predisposing factors is the crux of mitigating the burden of CKD. We investigate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease and associated factors among PLWH at the Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2 to September 3, 2022, at the HUCSH ART clinic, in Hawassa, Ethiopia. Data were collected from 338 PLWH through interview and medical record review. Renal function was assessed using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated using the “Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration” (CKD-EPI) formula. Data were entered in Epidata version 3.01 and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with CKD among PLWH. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was reported to show the strength of the association. The goodness of fit of the model was checked by the Hosmer and Lemeshow test. The statistical significance of associations was declared at a p-value < 0.05. Results The study included 338 PLWH with a response rate of 96%. The mean (standard deviation (SD) age of the participants was 44.4 ( ± 10.9) years. The female-to-male ratio was 1:1.8. The prevalence of CKD was 7.7% [95% CI: 5–10.7%]. History of alcohol use [AOR: 5.4; 95%CI: 1.32, 21.7], having chronic medical illness [AOR: 5.3; 95%CI: 1.45, 19.1], late stage of HIV [AOR: 5.2; 95%CI: 1.1, 25.3], opportunistic infections [AOR: 5.4; 95%CI: 1.25, 23.4], and low baseline hemoglobin level [AOR: 7.9; 95%CI: 2.58, 24.4] were significantly associated with CKD. Conclusion The study found that CKD prevalence in PLWH was high. Factors associated with CKD include alcohol use, chronic medical illness, advanced WHO HIV stage, opportunistic infections, and low hemoglobin. Therefore, PLWH should be regularly screened for early diagnosis and management of CKD, and those with associated factors should be closely monitored.
Low-energy physics and finite-size effects in nonuniform parafermion chains
Association of microRNA-210-3p with NT-proBNP, sST2, and Galectin-3 in heart failure patients with preserved and reduced ejection fraction: A cross-sectional study
Background Heart failure (HF) is a growing health problem and around two percent are affected in the general population. Accurate diagnostic markers that have the potential for early diagnosis of HF are lacking. This study aimed to compare the expression levels of microRNA-210-3p with biomarkers NT-proBNP, sST2, and galectin-3, in heart failure patients with preserved and reduced ejection fractions. Materials and methods The cross-sectional study was conducted on 270 hypertensive heart failure patients in the age group of 30 to 75 years of both genders. The participants with evidence of HF were recruited from the Department of Cardiology in a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, India. MicroRNA-210-3p was analyzed by qRT-PCR in a stratified sample of 80 HF patients and 20 apparently healthy individuals. Biomarkers were analyzed by ELISA. Institutional ethics committee approval and written informed consent were obtained. Statistical analysis was performed using R software (4.2.1). Based on the type of distribution of data, appropriate statistical tools were used. p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results All the biomarkers including microRNA-210-3p were significantly higher in HFrEF than in HFpEF. MAGGIC score showed a positive correlation with all the biomarkers. The cut-off of microRNA-210-3p was 5.03. Conclusion All the biomarkers were significantly elevated in HFrEF compared to HFpEF. However, microRNA-210-3p could be an early marker in the diagnosis of heart failure. The strategy of employing a multi-marker approach could help in the early diagnosis as well as in stratifying the HF patients.
Early detection of intractable postpartum hemorrhage
Abstract Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, with timely detection complicated by the inability to visualize bleeding within the uterine cavity. This study aimed to develop a method for early detection of intractable PPH, characterized by arterial contrast extravasation on dynamic CT (PRACE), often requiring uterine arterial embolization. The study comprised two components: (1) an ex vivo study, evaluating the PRACE visualization model using a postpartum uterine cavity simulation, and (2) an in vivo study assessing whether the time interval for bleeding to appear at the vagina (TI-V) could serve as an indicator of intractable PPH. The ex vivo simulation of PPH at various flow rates suggested that the overflow time from the uterine cavity may assist in stratifying life-threatening PPH. In the in vivo study, TI-V was measured in cases of uncomplicated vaginal delivery and severe PPH, including those transported for treatment. The results indicated that a TI-V of less than 2 s strongly predicted intractable PPH, with a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 98.2%. This straightforward method could significantly improve maternal health outcomes by enabling early identification and management of severe PPH.
Naringenin impairs mitochondrial function via ROS to induce apoptosis in tamoxifen resistant MCF-7 breast cancer cells
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women. While tamoxifen, a commonly used drug therapy in breast cancer patients, is effective, many patients acquire tamoxifen resistance. Therefore, it is essential to identify alternative or combination therapeutics for the treatment of breast cancer. Naringenin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, has been reported to elicit antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and pro-apoptotic effects in cancer cells. The current study aimed to identify the mechanism by which naringenin induces apoptosis in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells. The present study demonstrated that naringenin induced an increase in ROS, resulting in oxidative stress, impaired mitochondrial function, and apoptosis in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells. Our study reports that naringenin specifically increases mitochondrial superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide production while also causing mitochondrial dysfunction. These studies provide novel evidence for the mechanism by which naringenin induces apoptosis in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells and supports the use of naringenin as a therapeutic on breast cancer cells and drug-resistant cancer cells.
Supplemental effect of dietary nucleotides on hematological profile, hepatic biomarkers, antioxidant capacity, and digestive functions in Sterlet sturgeon, Acipenser ruthenus
Editorial Note: Model of tumor dormancy/recurrence after short-term chemotherapy
Maximum admittance method for cerebrovascular outlet boundary conditions and importance of stenosis severity as a dominant factor on hemodynamics
Positive relationship between education level and risk perception and behavioral response: A machine learning approach
This paper aims to examine the influence mechanism of education level as a key situational factor in the relationship between risk perception and behavioral response, encompassing both behavioral intention and preparatory behavior. Utilizing non-parametric estimation techniques in machine learning, particularly the Random Forest and XGBoost algorithms, this study develops predictive models to analyze the impact of 27 influencing factors on behavioral responses following risk perception. The findings indicate that, while the model’s fit for preparatory behavior is 25.71% and its fit for behavioral intention is below 20%, the model effectively identifies key influencing factors. Further analysis employing SHAP values demonstrates that education level not only exerts a significant influence but also exhibits varying effects across different educational groups. Moreover, statistical testing corroborates the importance of education level in the relationship between risk perception and behavioral response, providing a robust scientific foundation for the development of risk management policies.
Immobilization of CuO onto melamine functionalized magnetic nanocomposite: an efficient catalyst for the Preparation of benzimidazole compounds
The role of health literacy in the relationship between mothers’ knowledge and practices of iron supplementation in children (aged 12 to 24 months): A structural equation model
Introduction Iron deficiency anemia represents the most common form of anemia globally and constitutes a significant public health concern, particularly in developing nations. Therefore, supplementation is one of the best strategies for protecting children from anemia. The objective of the study was to assess the level of knowledge and practices of mothers with children aged 12 to 24 months and to assess the mediating role of health literacy in this relationship. Methods and materials This cross-sectional study was conducted on 435 mothers of children (aged 12 to 24 months) referred to Tehran healthcare centers. Information was collected through socio-demographic and reproductive checklists, knowledge and practice questionnaires, and health literacy questionnaires. The data were analyzed by SPSS26 and AMOS24 software and a significance level less than 0.05 was considered. Results Among the participants, 18.4% had poor knowledge, 47.4% had moderate knowledge, and only 34.2% had good knowledge. The mothers’ practice score regarding iron drop feeding was moderate (8.22 ± 2.27). A total of 37.9%, 54.7%, and 7.4% had good, moderate, and poor performance, respectively. Pearson’s correlation coefficient indicated a significant positive association between mothers’ understanding of iron drop feeding and their corresponding practices, as well as the practices of mothers with children aged 12 to 24 months (P < 0.001, r = 0.421). According to the results, health literacy and mothers’ knowledge can predict 40% of the changes in mothers’ practices, which is partial or moderate. Health literacy plays a mediating role in the relationship between mothers’ knowledge and practices. Conclusion Considering the effect of anemia on children’s health, paying attention to mothers’ health literacy as an important factor to improve their performance is essential.