End Of Week Research Articles

Glucose Fluctuation Inhibits Nrf2 Signaling Pathway in Hippocampal Tissues and Exacerbates Cognitive Impairment in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

This research investigated whether glucose fluctuation (GF) can exacerbate cognitive impairment in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and explored the related mechanism. After 4 weeks of feeding with diets containing high fats plus sugar, the rat model of diabetes mellitus (DM) was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Then, GF was triggered by means of alternating satiety and starvation for 24 h. The weight, blood glucose level, and water intake of the rats were recorded. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was carried out to appraise the cognitive function at the end of week 12. Moreover, the morphological structure of hippocampal neurons was viewed through HE and Nissl staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed for ultrastructure observation. The protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO-1, Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3 in the hippocampal tissues of rats were measured via Western blotting, and the mRNA expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO-1 were examined using qRT-PCR. Finally, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were conducted to detect BDNF levels. It was manifested that GF not only aggravated the impairment of spatial memory in rats with STZ-induced type 2 DM but also stimulated the loss, shrinkage, and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. Regarding the expressions in murine hippocampal tissues, GF depressed Nrf2, HO-1, NQO-1, Bcl-2, and BDNF but boosted Caspase-3 and Bax. GF aggravates cognitive impairment by inhibiting the Nrf2 signaling pathway and inducing oxidative stress and apoptosis in the hippocampal tissues.

EVALUATION OF COST AND TIME PERFORMANCE OF KARETAN - SAMBIMULYO ROAD MAINTENANCE PROJECT IN BANYUWANGI DISTRICT

Along with technological developments in the field of project work implementation, it must also be accompanied by developments in the field of Management as a control function in the implementation of the project. In this case, the application of the Earned Value Concept Method is expected to be able to provide an alternative solution to the problem of evaluating the cost and time that has been spent on project implementation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a project work that is being carried out, namely in the form of Maintenance of Karetan-Sambimulyo Road, Banyuwangi Regency against Time and Cost Control of the Project, so that it can be used as a reference material by the project implementer and the employer in terms of decision making whether the project is feasible to complete or not. The research was conducted at the end of week 21 (twenty-one), with different evaluation results, thus it can be concluded with the following description: a. Based on Cost Variance (CV) & Schedule Variance (SV) analysis results obtained: Work is carried out later than the schedule plan, costs are lower than the budget plan; b. Based on Cost Performance Index (CPI) & Schedule Performance Index (SPI): Profit but experiencing delays; c. Based on Estimation to Complete (ETC) & Estimation at Completion (EAC): Obtaining a profit of Rp. 263,004,000, 00-,; d. Based on Estimate Temporary Cost (ETC) & Estimate All Cost (EAS): Experienced a Time Delay of 2.09 Weeks.

Early vaccination of laying hens with the live bivalent Salmonella vaccine AviPro™ Salmonella DUO results in successful vaccine uptake and increased gut colonization.

Salmonella Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium are the two most clinically important zoonotic Salmonella serovars and vaccination of breeding and laying hens affords effective Salmonella control. The use of live vaccines has proven beneficial for a number of reasons, including ease of application, protection from the first day of life onwards and initiation of a strong local immune response. Live vaccines can be applied in the drinking water from the first day of life onwards, but some rearers choose to wait until the end of the first week to ensure sufficient water consumption. However, this practice leaves the birds unprotected during the crucial first week of life, where they are most susceptible to colonization by field strains. The aim of this study was to determine if successful vaccine uptake is achieved when layer pullets are vaccinated as early as day one. Three pullet flocks were vaccinated at 1, 2, 3 or 5 days-of-age with AviPro™ Salmonella DUO, a live vaccine containing attenuated strains of S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium (Elanco Animal Health, Cuxhaven, Germany). The vaccine was administered via the drinking water following manufacturer's instructions. Two days post-vaccination, 10 birds per flock were culled and caecal and liver samples taken, along with two pools of faeces per flock. Levels of vaccine strains were determined by quantitative and qualitative bacteriology. Vaccine strains were detected in all birds from all age groups indicating successful uptake of the vaccine. Levels of the S. Enteritidis vaccine were higher than levels of the S. Typhimurium vaccine, with the latter frequently only detectable following enrichment. There was an inverse correlation between age and caecal levels of vaccines, with the highest numbers seen in birds vaccinated at 1-day-of-age. Interestingly, S. Enteritidis vaccine strain levels in liver samples were highest when birds were vaccinated at 5 days-of-age. These results show that successful uptake of both vaccine strains was evident in all age groups. The earlier the chicks were vaccinated, the higher the vaccine levels in caecal contents. We therefore recommend vaccination of pullets as early as practicably possible to ensure protection against exposure to field strains.

Effects of scapular stabilization program on pain, range of motion, and disability in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain

Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the impacts of the scapular stabilization program (SSP) on pain, range of motion (ROM), and disability in chronic non-specific neck pain (NNP). Methods: It was a randomized clinical trial. The study was conducted at University Medical Centre, Lahore. According to eligibility criteria, 28 participants were randomly allocated to the experimental and control groups through the lottery method. While the control group received only relaxation exercises, the experimental group received SSP exercises along with the relaxation exercises on the cervicoscapular region. Three sessions of 45 min each, three times/week, on alternating days for three weeks were given. The outcome measures for pain, ROM, and disability were the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), goniometer, and neck disability index (NDI), respectively. These were assessed before the intervention and at the end of the third week. Results: The mean age of Groups A and B was 24.76 ± 4.53 and 27.76 ± 4.62, respectively. Within-group analysis of NPRS, NDI, and cervical flexion and extension ROM showed significant improvement in both groups. Between-group analysis showed post-treatment NPRS (P = 0.000), NDI (P = 0.000), cervical flexion (P = 0.004), and extension (P = 0.000). A significant improvement (P < 0.05) in pain, disability, and flexion and extension was observed in the experimental group. Conclusion: Both groups showed improved outcomes, but a significant difference was found in the control and experiment groups. The trial concluded that in treating NNP, the SSP effectively alleviates pain and improves disability and mobility.

Weekly hair washing: The recommended solution for women with afro-textured hair to alleviate dandruff and scalp discomfort.

Dandruff and scalp discomfort are common concerns for women and men in Africa. Moreover, women with afro-textured hair are prone to scalp discomfort owing to irregular hair washing, frequent use of oil-based products on their scalp, and harsh chemical treatments. Current literature does not, however, provide data on the pathophysiological mechanisms of these conditions in this population. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms behind scalp discomfort and dandruff in women of African descent before and after hair washing. We conducted the in Durban, South Africa, over a 3-week period with 60 women of African descent aged 20-40 years. The respondents were equally divided into a "dandruff" and a "no dandruff" group, based on clinical grading of adherent dandruff by a dermatologist. Malassezia spp. and bacterial loads were quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Evaluations of scalp condition and sample collection were performed at five time points during the 3 weeks. Data on discomfort symptoms were collected via a self-assessment questionnaire. We observed that the dandruff severity peaked at the end of the first week after hair washing and plateaued from thereon in both groups. Dandruff was associated with higher Malassezia and bacterial load counts and there was a direct correlation between the Malassezia spp. load and dandruff score. Via self-assessment questionnaire responses submitted by participants, we observed that itching was the most pronounced scalp discomfort, compared with the sensation of tingling and burning at baseline, while an improvement of the scalp symptoms of dandruff and itch was observed in both groups after one hair wash. The study also showed that higher colonization with Malassezia spp. and bacteria is associated with dandruff independently of the time point, confirming a scalp microbiome contribution to the dandruff pathophysiology in the study population. The benefits of washing were, however, not sustained after 1 week and we thus recommend weekly hair washing for long-term management of dandruff and scalp itchiness in this population.

Evaluation of Antibacterial Effect of New Sealer "Neoseal" and Two Commercially Used Endodontic Sealers against Enterococcus faecalis: An In Vitro Study.

To evaluate the antibacterial activity of three endodontic sealing materials, Neoseal, CeraSeal, and AH Plus against Enterococcus faecalis bacteria in vitro. The antibacterial activity of three endodontic sealing materials including two bioceramic sealers; NeoSEALER Flo (group I), CeraSeal (group II), and one epoxy resin sealer; AH Plus (group III) was investigated against E. faecalis bacteria American Type Cell Culture Collection (ATCC) 29212 (ATCC, Rockville, Maryland, USA). Using modified direct contact test (MDCT). The endodontic sealers were tested in contact with bacterial suspension when unset (20 minutes after mixing) and after setting, assessing the antibacterial activity of aged sealers after 1, 3, 7, and 14 days. Analyzing the collected data has been done with version 25.0 of the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) IBM software (SPSS, Chicago, Illinois, USA). Descriptive analyses were calculated using standard deviation (SD) and mean. Shapiro-Wilk test was done to detect the normality of the result values. Kruskal-Wallis test was then performed to test the level of significance between groups. After 20 minutes - Group I showed higher bacterial count mean values (5,500 ± 500) and 0 values for groups II and III groups. After 1 day, the highest bacterial count mean values were in group III (54,333.3 ± 4,041.5) and 0 values for groups I and II. After 3 days - group III again recorded the highest bacterial count mean values (45,000 ± 5,000) and 0 values for I and II groups. After 7 days - Group III still recorded the highest bacterial count mean values (53,333.3 ± 1,527.5) and 0 values for groups I and II. After 14 days - Group III recorded the highest bacterial count mean values (56,000 ± 1,000) followed by group II (6,333.3 ± 577.4), and the least was group I (2,000 ± 500). Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant values between groups in all tested durations, p > 0.05. The sealing material AH Plus showed a strong bactericidal effect at the beginning but lost its ability after 24 hours. CeraSeal showed strong bactericidal activity from the beginning till the end of the first week but showed bacterial count at 14 days. Neoseal took 24 hours to show bactericidal effect and similar to CeraSeal showed bacterial count at 14 days; CeraSeal recorded the best results within the study. Silicate-based (bioceramic) endodontic sealers can be the best available endodontic sealing material that is clinically beneficial in removing residual microbes which had survived irrigation protocols and chemomechanical preparation. How to cite this article: Basta DG, Reslan MR, Rayyan M, et al. Evaluation of Antibacterial Effect of New Sealer "Neoseal" and Two Commercially Used Endodontic Sealers against Enterococcus faecalis: An In Vitro Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2023;24(11):871-876.

Impact of heliotherapy and phototherapy on the course of atopic dermatitis

Introduction and purpose. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects many children and adults around the world. It has been also empirically known that some environmental factors such as exposure to the sun can be beneficial for patients with AD. The purpose of this literature review is to present positive impact, as well as challenges and risks of heliotherapy and phototherapy on patients suffering from AD.
 Material and methods. The article is a review of publications obtained from the PubMed database and published between 2017-2023. Based on the keywords "phototherapy" "heliotherapy"and "atopic dermatitis", 14 articles were selected. Finally, 1 meta-analysis and 3 observational studies were included in the rewiev.
 Brief description of the state of knowledge. People with AD have a compromised skin barrier, which favors infiltration by activated Th2 cells, and their cytokine, causing thickening of the skin. It makes management of AD challenging. It is known that most patients’ skin condition improves due to sun exposure. This is why an artificial UV radiation (UVR) is employed for the treatment. The idea is to administrate a non-ionizing radiation to the skin. Both sunlight and artificial light have a significant immunosuppressive effect on the skin.
 Summary. Phototherapy as well as heliotherapy improved skin condition of people suffering from AD. It was appreciable by the end of few weeks of studies and also afer 3 months, reflected by improvement in PO-SCORAD, VAS and DLQI scales. During some of the studies there have been incidents of side-effects. More research is necessary to define a long-term effect of this kind of treatment and the role of chronic and prolonged therapy of AD.

Effects of Intra-Articular Platelet Rich Plasma on Clinical Outcomes in Knee Osteoarthritis

Background and Aim: With increasing frequency, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) preparations have been used to treatcartilage lesions to regenerate tissue homeostasis and retard the progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The aimof our research was to study the effectiveness of intra-articular PRP injections in early-stage OA patients and toevaluate the clinical outcome and QOL at 6 months.Material and Methods: Present study was conducted on 80 patients at tertiary care institute of Gujarat for thePeriod of 1 year. Intraarticular administration of PRP was done by injecting 5 mL of platelet concentrate in thesupra-patellar pouch through supero-lateral approach with a 22-gauge needle. The patients were followed upfor reduction in pain, reduction in stiffness and improvement in physical function in accordance with WOMACscoring system on day 0 and at the end of 6th week, 3rd and 6th months and QOL in accordance with WHOQOLquestionnaire before PRP therapy and at the end of 6th month.Results: In our study of 80 patients 26 had very poor, 23 had poor and 1 had neither poor nor good QOL beforePRP injection evaluated by WHOQOL. At 6 months post PRP therapy 5 had very good, 59 had good, 15 hadneither good nor poor and 1 had poor QOL which showed highly significant improvement in QOL.Conclusion: Intra-articular injection of autologous PRP is a safe, cheap, easy to prepare and use, and has atherapeutic role in early knee OA. Hence, PRP therapy can be used in management of early stage knee OA toprovide relief from symptoms and to improve QOL with negligible complication, low cost and ultimately withgood results.

Evaluation of Post-Operative Morbidity and Palatal Wound Healing after Implant Uncovering Surgical Procedure Performed with Apically Positioned Flap (APF) and Leukocyte and Platelet-Rich-Fibrin (L-PRF): An Original Technique.

Background and Objectives: Dental implants are recognized as an effective treatment in the management of edentulous patients; controversies surround the connection between the sufficiency of keratinized gingiva (KG) and peri-implant health. Maintaining an ample amount of peri-implant KG is crucial for minimizing gingival inflammation, highlighting the need for regular consideration of soft-tissue augmentation. Among the diverse periodontal plastic surgical procedures, the apically positioned flap (APF) is notable for its ability to enhance the width of keratinized tissue while minimizing patient morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of L-PRF on palatal wound healing and patient discomfort after surgery. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with two adjacent submerged fixtures in the maxilla and buccal keratinized gingiva widths < 2 mm were treated with APF and L-PRF. Clinical evaluations were performed at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks post-surgery, focusing on parameters such as complete wound epithelialization (CWE), postoperative discomfort (D), changes in feeding habits (CFH), alteration of sensitivity (AS) around the wound area, and the consumption of analgesics. Results: Our data revealed CWE in 5 patients by the end of the second week, with the remaining 15 achieving CWE by the end of the third week. For D and CHF, a statistically significant improvement was recorded for all cases between the first and second weeks, as well as AS, although less substantial, by the third week. No significant changes were noted for AS over the initial two weeks. Conclusions: These findings suggest that L-PRF may enhance wound healing and decrease patient discomfort following APF for fixture uncovering.

The Effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors on Impulsivity in Young Adults with Major Depression in the Early Phase of Treatment.

Whether selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) increase suicide risk, especially in young adults, is still a controversial issue. This study aimed to examine the change in impulsivity characteristics and to evaluate the relationship between impulsivity and suicidality in young adults with major depression who were started on SSRIs. The study included 50 patients between the ages of 18-24 years with a diagnosis of major depression who were planned to start SSRIs. Participants were evaluated with the Beck Depression Scale, Beck Anxiety Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale, Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, Barratt Impulsivity Scale, Daily Impulsivity Scale (DIS), and Go/ No-Go Task (GNG) before and at the end of the first week of treatment. Seventy percent of the patients (n: 35) completed the assessments at baseline and at the end of the first week. At the end of one-week there was a statistically significant decrease in the DIS (t=2.283, p=0.029) and commission errors in GNG (t=3.19, p=0.003). In addition, 7 out of 11 patients who had suicidal ideation at the first evaluation did not continue to have suicidal ideation at the end of the first week and there was a significant decrease in the severity of suicidal ideation at the end of the follow-up (W:132.0, p<0.001). One-week SSRI use in young adults resulted in a decrease in impulsivity in self-report scales assessing state impulsivity and in the GNG. It was observed that the severity of suicidal ideation decreased at the end of the one-week treatment period.

A study of the effect of antitubercular drugs on liver functions in newly diagnosed cases of tuberculosis during intensive phase of therapy in tertiary care hospital

Background: Antitubercular drugs are commonly associated with drug-induced liver injury (DILI), which can present as asymptomatic alterations in liver function test (LFT) to symptomatic hepatic injury and failure. Regular and frequent monitoring of LFT during intensive phase of therapy helps to identify early DILI and its complication. Aims and Objectives: The main objective was to evaluate the effects of antitubercular drugs on liver functions by early monitoring. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted for 1 year among 97 newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients in tertiary care hospital. LFT was performed during baseline, at the end of 2nd week, and at end of intensive phase of treatment. Diagnosis of liver injury was based on DILI criteria and assessment of the clinical pattern of liver damage was done using “R value”. Results: Among 97 patients, 16 had experienced DILI and incidence was higher during the first visit. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase were significantly altered during the first visit while AST and total bilirubin during the second visit. The number of parameters deranged was higher at the end of intensive phase than during the end of 2nd week. Cholestatic pattern (81.25 %) of liver injury was the most common type as per “R value”. According to DILI network severity index, the majority were categorized as “moderately-severe” and “moderate” during the first and second follow-up, respectively. Conclusion: The incidence of antitubercular drugs-induced liver injury was higher during the initial 2 weeks of treatment, but the derangement was more evident at the end of the intensive phase. Frequent and regular monitoring during the initial phase of treatment helps to detect early DILI which prevents the impending liver failure.

FGF-2 enriched nanofiber scaffold for advancing achilles tendon healing: a comparative experimental investigation.

Achilles tendon rupture is a common and debilitating injury that significantly impacts mobility and quality of life. Effective treatment options that promote faster and more complete healing are needed. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) has shown potential in enhancing tendon repair. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of FGF-2 in promoting tendon healing in a rat model of Achilles tendon rupture, providing insights into its potential as a therapeutic option. Forty-eight rat hind legs with complete Achilles tendon ruptures were divided into four equal groups: the Sham (S) group (tendon repair only), the Polymer (P) group (tendon repair with scaffold wrapping), the Produced FGF-2 (PF) group (scaffold coated with lab-produced FGF-2), and the Commercial FGF-2 (CF) group (scaffold coated with commercially sourced FGF-2). Histological analyses at two and four weeks post-surgery evaluated healing based on nuclear morphology, vascularity, fibril organization, inflammation, and adipogenesis. At the end of the second week, no macroscopic healing was observed in one rat each from the S and P groups. By the end of the fourth week, macroscopic healing was observed in all groups. The S and P groups exhibited similarly severe fibril disorganization, pathological adipogenesis, and sustained inflammation, particularly at the fourth week. In contrast, the CF group demonstrated improved tendon healing with increased vascularity and extracellular matrix, lower inflammatory cell infiltration, and better fibril organization. Pathological adipogenesis was absent in the CF group, especially at the fourth week. The PF group showed comparable improvements at the second week but experienced a relapse by the 4th week, with increased inflammation and adipogenesis. FGF-2 coated scaffolds significantly enhanced tendon healing in a rat Achilles tendon rupture model by improving fibril organization, increasing vascularity, and reducing inflammation and pathological adipogenesis. These findings suggest that FGF-2 could be a promising therapeutic option for accelerating tendon repair. Future perspectives on tendon repair will focus on enhancing FGF-2 delivery using innovative scaffolds, paving the way for more effective therapies and improved patient outcomes.

The Pregnancy Tele-yoga Module to Combat Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Associated with Pregnancy: An Exploratory Open-label Multicentric Study.

Untreated stress, anxiety, and depression during the perinatal period can lead to adverse maternal and infant outcomes. Yoga, the practice of body-mind-spirit techniques has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The aim of the study was to examine the feasibility and limited efficacy of the 4-week practice of pregnancy tele-yoga module (PTYM) delivered and monitored through an online platform. A multicentric, open-label, exploratory study was conducted in the antenatal clinics (ANCs) of three tertiary care hospitals in India. Pregnant women between 13 and 32 weeks of gestation were invited to participate. PTYM was taught by the trained research staff. A YouTube link demonstrating the PTYM developed by the researchers was shared with consenting participants. Using the Yoga Performance Assessment (YPA), research staff monitored the online performance of the PTYM. Pre- and postintervention, women were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Preintervention, among 162 consented pregnant women, anxiety (62.34%) was the most common mental health condition, followed by stress (55.55%) and depression (45.67%). YPA at the end of week 1, week 2, week 3, and week 4 was 19.45, 21.35, 24.15, and 28.45, respectively. Postintervention anxiety, stress, and depression persisted in 19.78%, 11.44%, and 10.41% of women. Pregnant women with stress (DASS-21 ≥15; n = 90), anxiety (DASS-21 ≥8; n = 101), and depressive (DASS-21 ≥10; n = 74) symptoms after undergoing 4 weeks of PTYM reported significant reduction in the scores. The current study demonstrated the feasibility and limited efficacy of PTYM in ANCs of a tertiary care hospital in India.

Ampiang-Dadih-a combination of Indonesian traditional fermented buffalo milk and black glutinous rice-prevents hypercholesterolemia and liver cell degeneration in vivo: A pilot study.

We aimed to evaluate the potential of Ampiang-Dadih (AD), a combination of Indonesian traditional fermented buffalo milk (Dadih) and black glutinous rice flakes (Ampiang) as an anti-hypercholesterolemic agent and to prevent liver-cell degeneration using a rat model. A mixture of black glutinous rice powder (0.3 gm/gm feed) and fermented buffalo milk (3.74/200 gm BW) was prepared to obtain AD. Fifteen adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups of five animals each: (A) negative control group (distilled water; 5 weeks), (B) hypercholesterolemia group (1% cholesterol per feed; 5 weeks), and (C) preventive AD group (1% cholesterol and AD; 5 weeks). The blood lipid profiles were measured at weeks 2, 4, and 5. The liver enzyme activity, cholesterol level, and histology were observed at the end of week 5. AD administration simultaneously with cholesterol in Group C significantly prevented an increase in total plasma cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels compared to Group B. Alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase were maintained at normal levels in Group C. Furthermore, the levels of liver cholesterol and liver cell degeneration in Group C were also maintained because of AD administration compared to that in Group B. This study demonstrated that AD has the potential to be developed as a functional food for hypercholesterolemia prevention.

Respule or metered-dose inhaler for eosinophilic esophagitis treatment? A dose-ranging, randomized clinical trial study on efficacy, safety, and relapse rate

&lt;sec&gt;&lt;title&gt;Background&lt;/title&gt;&lt;p&gt;Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic allergen/immune-mediated disease known by eosinophil infiltration into the esophagus. Topical steroids are used for its treatment. We investigated the efficacy, side effects, and symptom relapse after discontinuation of two budesonide forms in EoE patients.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/sec&gt;&lt;sec&gt;&lt;title&gt;Methods&lt;/title&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this prospective, dose-ranging, randomized trial, 35 EoE patients under 18 years who received two budesonide forms were assigned to low-dose oral respule (17 patients) and swallowed metered-dose inhaler (MDI) (18 patients) groups. Both groups received low-dose budesonide for eight weeks. Doses were doubled after the first eight weeks if symptom remission was not achieved, but the previous dose was continued for the next eight weeks for the subjects with symptom relief. At the end of week 16, budesonide was discontinued in all patients. The following outcomes were assessed: The primary outcome was symptom relief, assessed by Pediatric EoE Symptom Scores (PEESS®v2.0). Secondary outcomes included safety, side effects, and histological changes, based on repeated endoscopy at weeks 0, 8, 16, and 32.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/sec&gt;&lt;sec&gt;&lt;title&gt;Results&lt;/title&gt;&lt;p&gt;Non-response to low-dose treatment in the first eight weeks was observed in 2 cases (13.3%, 95% CI: 2.6%–35.2%) in the respule group and 7 cases (50.0%, 95% CI: 22.7%–77.3%) in the MDI group, indicating a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.033). In the 16&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; week, the treatment failure rate was 13.3% and 26.6% in the oral respule and swallowed MDI groups, respectively (p = 0.048). The therapeutic response during the 8&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; week was significantly higher in oral respule group than swallowed MDI group (OR = 8.418, p = 0.046).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/sec&gt;&lt;sec&gt;&lt;title&gt;Conclusion&lt;/title&gt;&lt;p&gt;This study indicates that the oral respule formulation of budesonide is more effective than the swallowed MDI in alleviating symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in children. The oral respule not only resulted in a higher rate of symptom relief but also exhibited a better safety profile, with fewer incidents of oral thrush and adrenal suppression.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/sec&gt;

Zinc alleviates high fat diet-induced spermatogenic dysfunction in Wistar rats: role of oxidative stress, HMGB1 and inflammasome.

Whether chronic inflammation in the genital tract induced by obesity shares in spermatogenic dysfunction is not clearly known. We aimed to study the effect of high fat diet (HFD) on spermatogenesis, seminal oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA)) and inflammatory markers (high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine rich repeat and pyrin-3 domain containing (NLRP3)) in the rat testes and the role of zinc on testicular dysfunction and chronic inflammation in high fat diet (HFD) fed rat testes. This parallel group comparative experimental study included 36 male wistar rats divided into 3 groups: group A (fed on normal control diet); group B (fed on high fat diet (HFD) only); and group C (fed on HFD with zinc supplementation 3.2 mg/kg/day orally). At the end of the 12th week, sperm count, viability and motility were assessed by computer-assisted seemen analysis (CASA), seminal malondialdehyde measured by calorimetry and histopathological examination of testicular sections was done. Immunohistochemical staining was done for HMGB1 and NLRP3 evaluation. Sperm count was lowest in group B. Groups A and C showed statistically significant higher mean sperm vitality, total and progressive motility scores (p < 0.001), while no difference was found between the groups A and C (p > 0.05). Seminal malondialdehyde level was significantly highest in group B. Tubular diameter, epithelial height and Johnsen score were significantly lowest in group B. Significantly higher HMGB1 and NLRP3 levels were demonstrated in group B (p < 0.001). Obesity is associated with testicular dysfunction, testicular oxidative stress and increased testicular HMGB1 and NLRP3. We suggest a beneficial effect of zinc on testicular function in HFD-rats.

The effects of isocaloric diets derived from different lipid sources on zebrafish.

Characterizing the effects of saturated fat intake on metabolic health and its changes remains a major challenge. Lipid diets, from different sources, vary widely in their physiological effects on health; therefore, it is important to consider the specific lipid source consumed. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of the imposition of isocaloric diets with different lipid sources in zebrafish (fish oil/pork lard). Depicting how metabolic, morphological and behavioral parameters might express themselves in these fishes. Forty adult female fishes were used for the experiment. The animals were divided into a control group (C), fed with unsaturated fatty acid diet, and a saturated fatty acid group (Sat). They received food three times a day, during the 11-week period. The results showed that animals in the Sat group had increased body weight, with a difference relative to the C group, from the third week of diet until the end of the experiment. At the end of the last week, the Sat group had a body weight 32% higher (P=0.0182) than the body weight of the control group. The consumption of a diet rich in saturated fatty acids did not generate signs related to stress and anxiety in zebrafish. There was an increase in glycemia at T60 and T120, with a statistically significant difference between the two moments. Animals in the Sat group showed an increase (P=0.0086) in hepatic steatosis compared to animals in the control group. The results obtained on the relationship between diet and metabolic changes are fundamental to ensure the understanding and appropriate treatment of these problems.

Targeting PknL as a novel therapeutic strategy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The bacterium “Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)” causes tuberculosis, which is currently regarded as the most common cause of bacterial infection-related death globally. In addition to eukaryotes, MTB also encodes 11 “serine/threonine protein kinases (STPKs),” including PknA, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, and L that control cell division, cell development, metabolism, and dormancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antisense and sense-orientated PknL have been cloned utilizing the shuttle mycobacterial vector-pAZI9018b, which is IPTG inducible. Utilizing the appropriate primers, the PknL (Rv2176) full-length gene from MTB has been amplified. The product which was amplified was then inoculated inside the vector at the “5’BamH1 and 3’Nde1” regions to produce PknL in the sense orientation (PknL-S) resembling PknL-S, and likewise, amplified substance was introduced into the vector at the 3’BamHI and 5’NdeI sites for producing PknL in the antisense orientation (PknL-AS). RESULTS: Regardless of the absence or presence of an inducer, PknL-AS had lower transcription levels than Wild type and PknL-S, but PknL-AS revealed a significant decrease in PknL expression during the end of 2nd week with 1 mM of IPTG and a further decrease on day 10 with 10 mM IPTG. In the presence of 10 mM IPTG, PknL expression has been close to, 1.8 log in Wild type, 1.4 log in PknL-AS, and 2.4 log in PknL-S. CONCLUSION: It has been clear that PknL may read environmental cues and respond appropriately, assisting bacteria to adapt to stressful situations in the host by lowering bacterial development, leading to a dormant state, and allowing bacteria to stay inside the host.

The relationship between the development of post-stroke cognitive impairment and changes in the coagulation component of hemostasis

To evaluate the relationship between the severity of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and coagulation parameters assessed using the dynamic thrombophotometry. Thirty-five patients with hemispheric ischemic stroke (IS) with moderate neurological deficit at admission were included. All patients underwent a comprehensive clinical and instrumental assessment according to the current guidelines. On days 10-14, the cognitive status of patients was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Coagulation parameters were assessed using the dynamic thrombophotometry at admission, on 6-8th days and 13-15th days from the onset of the disease. A database of laboratory studies of 30 apparently healthy volunteers was used as a comparison group. Data analysis revealed that a number of spatial and temporal parameters were within the reference values, and there were no significant changes over time. Nevertheless, though the optical density of the fibrin clot (D) was within the reference values, it showed a steady increase from the admission by the end of the 1st week of the disease (p=0.007) and by 13-15th days (p=0.009). Correlation and multivariate linear regression, including baseline stroke symptom severity, showed significant associations (p<0.01 in all tests) between the higher optical density of the fibrin clot (D) on days 6-8 and 13-15 and lower MoCA score, confirming the negative effect of altered hemostatic parameters on cognitive function in IS patients. The increase of optical density of the fibrin clot (D) by 6-8th and 13-15th days is a potential prognostic biomarker for the early development of PSCI.

RESULTS OF MICROCLIMATE MODELING FOR PIGLETS

The modeling results confirmed that the use of brooders with a closed valve made it possible to generate a temperature of 35.4 °C in the first days after farrowing under 100 W infrared lamps and above a heated floor – 33.2 °C, increasing it by 14.6 and 23.3%, with the newborns inside; with the valve slightly open, at the end of the first week of life the temperature was 32.6 and 31.2 °C, by the second week – 28.7 and 28.3 °C; this made it possible to ensure an increase in live weight of piglets by 11.9 –15.6% at weaning, and safety – by 5.4–6.5%, in comparison with the floor heating or infrared lamps.