Widespread Illness Research Articles

Advanced Deep Learning Fusion Model for Early Multi-Classification of Lung and Colon Cancer Using Histopathological Images.

In recent years, the healthcare field has experienced significant advancements. New diagnostic techniques, treatments, and insights into the causes of various diseases have emerged. Despite these progressions, cancer remains a major concern. It is a widespread illness affecting individuals of all ages and leads to one out of every six deaths. Lung and colon cancer alone account for nearly two million fatalities. Though it is rare for lung and colon cancers to co-occur, the spread of cancer cells between these two areas-known as metastasis-is notably high. Early detection of cancer greatly increases survival rates. Currently, histopathological image (HI) diagnosis and appropriate treatment are key methods for reducing cancer mortality and enhancing survival rates. Digital image processing (DIP) and deep learning (DL) algorithms can be employed to analyze the HIs of five different types of lung and colon tissues. Therefore, this paper proposes a refined DL model that integrates feature fusion for the multi-classification of lung and colon cancers. The proposed model incorporates three DL architectures: ResNet-101V2, NASNetMobile, and EfficientNet-B0. Each model has limitations concerning variations in the shape and texture of input images. To address this, the proposed model utilizes a concatenate layer to merge the pre-trained individual feature vectors from ResNet-101V2, NASNetMobile, and EfficientNet-B0 into a single feature vector, which is then fine-tuned. As a result, the proposed DL model achieves high success in multi-classification by leveraging the strengths of all three models to enhance overall accuracy. This model aims to assist pathologists in the early detection of lung and colon cancer with reduced effort, time, and cost. The proposed DL model was evaluated using the LC25000 dataset, which contains colon and lung HIs. The dataset was pre-processed using resizing and normalization techniques. The model was tested and compared with recent DL models, achieving impressive results: 99.8% for precision, 99.8% for recall, 99.8% for F1-score, 99.96% for specificity, and 99.94% for accuracy. Thus, the proposed DL model demonstrates exceptional performance across all classification categories.

Prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis Among Patients Attending Dental Clinics in Wasit Province

Gingivitis and periodontitis are two inflammatory illnesses that are also considered infectious diseases in the context of periodontal disease diagnosis, periodontitis is a widespread oral illness that affects people all over the world .The current study used the wet mount technique with physiological saline and Giemsa stain to ascertain the incidence of Entamoeba gingivalis among 30 subjects (15 men and 15 females). (73%), E. gingivalis was prevalent overall (21 - 30) year olds had the highest frequency of E. gingivalis (54.55%). Infection was highly significant in female (59%) than male (41%). The conclusion that periodontal disease has a higher prevalence of E. gingivalis. The presence of E. gingivalis in the oral cavity is interpreted as an indication of inadequate dental hygiene, even though it is not often linked to pathogenesis. It is important to emphasise that patients' oral hygiene practices are not up to scratch. They employ mostly ineffective oral cavity hygiene products.

Exploring the interaction between aminobutyric acid and epigenetics in modulating ash dieback response in european ash (Fraxinus excelsior)

AbstractEuropean ash populations face a significant threat from the invasive fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, leading to ash dieback disease. The absence of resistant individuals and restrictions on biotechnological solutions hinder the ability to combat this widespread illness in the near term. Priming strategies offer an alternative approach to boost stress tolerance not only in this scenario but also in other endangered tree species by triggering plant defense mechanisms. The non-proteinogenic amino acid β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) has demonstrated potential in enhancing resistance to diverse stressors in plants. Despite limited research on forest tree species, the current study evaluated BABA’s effectiveness in mitigating ash dieback disease severity and explored potential correlations between priming treatments and epigenetic modifications. The results indicated that BABA enhanced stress tolerance in ash seedlings following inoculation with Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. BABA effectively decreased the development of necrosis associated with ash dieback disease in seedlings five months post-inoculation. Additionally, treatments involving BABA were linked to observed epigenetic alterations. Elevated levels of the non-canonical deoxynucleosides 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2'-deoxycytidine (5-hmdC) and 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (5-hmdU) were confirmed subsequent to the treatments. This study highlights the potential of BABA and other priming strategies in enhancing disease tolerance in forest tree species like European ash. Short-term improved stress tolerance and epigenetic changes were confirmed. Yet, the exact priming conditions for inducing long-term effects in plants, including long-living forest trees, remain unknown, posing a challenge for applying priming strategies to manage ash dieback and protect many other endangered tree species.

An innovative patient clustering method using data envelopment Analysis–Discriminant analysis and artificial neural networks: A case study in healthcare systems

A major lesson healthcare managers learned from the COVID-19 outbreak is the need for more effective patient classification and medical resource allocation for future pandemics. In their view, hospitalization mortality could be greatly reduced if more effective systems for patient classification were in place before the outbreak to evaluate and assign treatment facilities. This study presents a scalable patient clustering approach using a Self-Organizing Map (SOM) of the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to cluster patients for appropriate treatment allocation. The patients’ membership is forecasted using Data Envelopment Analysis–Discriminant Analysis (DEA-DA). The objectives of this research are to develop a flexible framework that healthcare systems can adopt to cluster patients based on specific testing criteria from medical records and to assign them to suitable medical centers with appropriate treatment resources. This method aims to enhance healthcare system efficiency by ensuring patients with severe illnesses receive care at well-equipped centers, while those with milder symptoms are directed to other suitable facilities. The approach is scalable and adaptable to any type of widespread illness and aims to increase recovery rates and decrease mortality rates, as confirmed by the case study results.

Balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in young patients who passed active Immunization against SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic began and changed the world. Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused widespread illness and death around the world. In this regard, vaccination become the most important tool for creating herd immunity. Our study analyzed the dynamics of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in the blood serum of young patients before and after vaccination against COVID-19. The study group included 76 young men. Determination of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IFNγ, TNFα and IgM and IgG antibodies to COVID-19 in venous blood sera was carried out twice, by ELISA using the test systems of Vector-Best Company, Novosibirsk. The first blood samples were carried out before vaccination, the second — 1 month after vaccination against COVID-19. The results were processed using STATISTICA 8.0. The vaccinated people were monitored for 6 months after vaccination. Levels of indices before vaccination: IL-1β (5.6 pg/ml (Q₂₅–Q₇₅ = 3.1–14.2); IL-4 (1.02 pg/ml (Q₂₅–Q₇₅ = 0.75–1.28); IL-6 (27.8 pg/ml (Q₂₅–Q₇₅ = 7.1–59.9); IL-8 (29.9 pg/ml (Q₂₅–Q₇₅ = 19.51–32.14); IL-10 (4.47 pg/ ml (Q₂₅–Q₇₅ = 1.84–14.75); IL-17 (7.33 pg/ml (Q₂₅–Q₇₅ = 6.82–8.58); IFNγ (0.7 pg/ml (Q₂₅–Q₇₅ = 0.4–0.9); TNFα (3.9 pg/ml (Q₂₅–Q₇₅ = 2.2–6.4). Levels of indices after vaccination: IL-1β (1.6 pg/ml (Q₂₅–Q₇₅ = 1.4- 2.2); IL-4 (0.84 pg/ml (Q₂₅–Q₇₅ = 0.59–1.12); IL-6 (1.2 pg/ml (Q₂₅–Q₇₅ = 0.6–1.7); IL-8 (10.1 pg/ml (Q₂₅–Q₇₅ = 3.8–28.9); IL-10 (5.84 pg/ml (Q₂₅–Q₇₅ = 1–9.99); IFNγ (0.6 pg /ml (Q₂₅–Q₇₅ = 0.3–0.8); TNFα (0.6 pg/ml (Q₂₅–Q₇₅ = 0.3–1.9). Both before and after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, different distributions of cytokine levels were identified with a downward trend, but despite this, strong correlations were observed between many of them, which indicates an increase in the tension of the immune system in response to vaccination. When calculating the ratio of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, its two-fold decrease was revealed, which reflects a decrease in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines after vaccination. The level of IgG antibodies to COVID-19 exceeded the protective level: more than 14 times in 98% of subjects. Further research into the impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on innate immunity will allow us to reconsider the current vaccination strategy and determine the best approach to preventing COVID-19.

Computational and ADMET Predictions of Novel Compounds as Dual Inhibitors of BuChE and GSK-3β to Combat Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease is a serious and widespread neurodegenerative illness in the modern healthcare scenario. GSK-3β and BuChE are prominent enzymatic targets associated with Alzheimer's disease. Co-targeting GSK3β and BChE in Alzheimer's disease helps to modify disease progression and enhance cognitive function by addressing both tau pathology and cholinergic deficits. However, the treatment arsenal for Alzheimer's disease is extremely inadequate, with present medications displaying dismal success in treating this never-ending ailment. To create novel dual inhibitors, we have used molecular docking and dynamics analysis. Our focus was on analogs formed from the fusion of tacrine and amantadine ureido, specifically tailored to target GSK-3β and BuChE. In the following study, molecular docking was executed by employing AutoDock Vina and molecular dynamics and ADMET predictions were performed using the Desmond and Qikprop modules of Schrödinger. Our findings unveiled that compounds DKS1 and DKS4 exhibited extraordinary molecular interactions within the active domains of GSK-3β and BuChE, respectively. These compounds engaged in highly favorable interactions with critical amino acids, including Lys85, Val135, Asp133, and Asp200, and His438, Ser198, and Thr120, yielding encouraging docking energies of -9.6 and -12.3 kcal/mol. Additionally, through extensive molecular dynamics simulations spanning a 100 ns trajectory, we established the robust stability of ligands DKS1 and DKS4 within the active pockets of GSK-3β and AChE. Particularly noteworthy was DKS5, which exhibited an outstanding human oral absorption rate of 79.792%, transcending the absorption rates observed for other molecules in our study. In summary, our in silico findings have illuminated the potential of our meticulously designed molecules as groundbreaking agents in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, capable of simultaneously inhibiting both GSK-3β and BuChE.

Risk Assessment and Personalized Treatment Options in Inherited Dilated Cardiomyopathies: A Narrative Review.

Considering the worldwide impact of heart failure, it is crucial to develop approaches that can help us comprehend its root cause and make accurate predictions about its outcome. This is essential for lowering the suffering and death rates connected with this widespread illness. Cardiomyopathies frequently result from genetic factors, and the study of heart failure genetics is advancing quickly. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most prevalent kind of cardiomyopathy, encompassing both genetic and nongenetic abnormalities. It is distinguished by the enlargement of the left ventricle or both ventricles, accompanied by reduced contractility. The discovery of the molecular origins and subsequent awareness of the molecular mechanism is broadening our knowledge of DCM development. Additionally, it emphasizes the complicated nature of DCM and the necessity to formulate several different strategies to address the diverse underlying factors contributing to this disease. Genetic variants that can be transmitted from one generation to another can be a significant contributor to causing family or sporadic hereditary DCM. Genetic variants also play a significant role in determining susceptibility for acquired triggers for DCM. The genetic causes of DCM can have a large range of phenotypic expressions. It is crucial to select patients who are most probable to gain advantages from genetic testing. The purpose of this research is to emphasize the significance of identifying genetic DCM, the relationships between genotype and phenotype, risk assessment, and personalized therapy for both those affected and their relatives. This approach is expected to gain importance once treatment is guided by genotype-specific advice and disease-modifying medications.

GLP-1/GIP Agonist as an Intriguing and Ultimate Remedy for Combating Alzheimer's Disease through its Supporting DPP4 Inhibitors: A Review.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a widespread neurological illness in the elderly, which impacted about 50 million people globally in 2020. Type 2 diabetes has been identified as a risk factor. Insulin and incretins are substances that have various impacts on neurodegenerative processes. Preclinical research has shown that GLP-1 receptor agonists decrease neuroinflammation, tau phosphorylation, amyloid deposition, synaptic function, and memory formation. Phase 2 and 3 studies are now occurring in Alzheimer's disease populations. In this article, we present a detailed assessment of the therapeutic potential of GLP-1 analogues and DPP4 inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease. This study aimed to gain insight into how GLP-1 analogues and associated antagonists of DPP4 safeguard against AD. This study uses terms from search engines, such as Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, to explore the role, function, and treatment options of the GLP-1 analogue for AD. The review suggested that GLP-1 analogues may be useful for treating AD because they have been linked to anti-inflammatory, neurotrophic, and neuroprotective characteristics. Throughout this review, we discuss the underlying causes of AD and how GLP signaling functions. With a focus on AD, the molecular and pharmacological effects of a few GLP-1/GIP analogs, both synthetic and natural, as well as DPP4 inhibitors, have been mentioned, which are in the preclinical and clinical studies. This has been demonstrated to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients.

Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata Exhibit Antioxidant and Borrelia burgdorferi Inhibiting Activities.

Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infection, is the most widespread vector-borne illness in the Northern Hemisphere. Unfortunately, using targeted antibiotic therapy is often an ineffective cure. The antibiotic resistance and recurring symptoms of Lyme disease are associated with the formation of biofilm-like aggregates of B. burgdorferi. Plant extracts could provide an effective alternative solution as many of them exhibit antibacterial or biofilm inhibiting activities. This study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata as B. burgdorferi inhibitors. Hydroalcoholic extracts from three different samples of each plant were first characterised based on their total concentrations of polyphenolics, flavonoids, iridoids, and antioxidant capacity. Both plants contained substantial amounts of named phytochemicals and showed considerable antioxidant properties. The major non-volatile constituents were then quantified using HPLC-DAD-MS analyses, and volatile constituents were quantified using HS-SPME-GC-MS. The most prevalent non-volatiles were found to be plantamajoside and acteoside, and the most prevalent volatiles were β-caryophyllene, D-limonene, and α-caryophyllene. The B. burgdorferi inhibiting activity of the extracts was tested on stationary-phase B. burgdorferi culture and its biofilm fraction. All extracts showed antibacterial activity, with the most effective lowering the residual bacterial viability down to 15%. Moreover, the extracts prepared from the leaves of each plant additionally demonstrated biofilm inhibiting properties, reducing its formation by 30%.

An Evidence-Based Case Study to Elicit the Antimiasmatic Approach in Enhancing the Quality of Life for Individuals Suffering from Migraine Through Migraine Assessment Questionnaire (MAQ)

Migraine is a relatively widespread chronic health illness with an episodic presentation, accounting for a large increase in years lived with disability (YLD). According to the Global Burden of Disease, migraine is the third leading cause of disability in both men and women under the age of 50. In reaction to this increasing phenomenon, numerous therapeutic approaches have been developed over the past few decades. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) are the first line of treatment for migraines that have gastrointestinal symptoms, including dyspepsia, burning or discomfort in the abdomen, and diarrhea as common adverse effects. The homeopathic medical method provides patients with a gentle cure free of adverse effects. Due to the nature and stage of the disease, anti-miasmatic treatment has a higher chance of minimizing effects and recurrence. An examination and comprehensive reconstruction of a migraine patient's case have been carried out. Subsequently, a remedy was prescribed based on the totality and miasmatic background of the case. In order to ensure effective assessment and evaluation, the migraine assessment questionnaire is considered. The result of this clinical trial, which showed improvement, proved that treating such instances with the anti-miasmatic method is effective. Keywords: Migraine, Homoeopathy, Miasm, Quality of life.

Exploring of spectrum beta lactamase producing multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serovars in goat meat markets of Bangladesh

The emergence of Salmonella enterica serovars that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and exhibit multi-drug resistance (MDR) poses a substantial global threat, contributing to widespread foodborne illnesses and presenting an alarming issue for public health. This study specifically concentrated on the isolation and identification of ESBL-resistant genes (blaTEM,blaSHV,blaCTX-M1,blaCTX-M2,blaCTX-M9,MultiCaseACC,MultiCaseMOX,MultiCaseDHA,blaOXA) and the antibiogram profiling of Salmonella enterica serovars found in goat meat samples procured from retail outlets in Bangladesh. During the research in the Sylhet district of Bangladesh, researchers gathered a total of 210 samples of goat meat from 13 different Upazilas. Primarily, cultural and biochemical methods were used for isolation of bacteria from the selected samples. Salmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium and Enteritidis, along with three ESBL-resistant genes, were identified through polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). The disk diffusion test was used to determine antimicrobial susceptibilities. Out of 210 samples analysed, Salmonella spp. was detected in 18.10 % (38 out of 210), with S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium found in 9.05 % (19 out of 210) and 5.24 % (11 out of 210) of the samples, respectively. A total of 72.73 % (8/11) of S. Enteritidis and 100 % (19/19) of S. Typhimurium isolates were positive by Multidrug-resistant patterns. The positive outcomes were found of S. Typhimurium tested 63.16 % (12 out of 19) for the blaTEM gene and 21.05 % (4/19) for the blaSHV, gene. The study proposes that the retail goat meat market channel could be a prominent transmission way of ESBL-producing MDR Salmonella enterica serovars, representing a significant public health hazard.

The Utility of SHBG Assay in Clinical Biochemistry for Iraqi Women

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, additionally called PCOS is the most widespread endocrine illness amongst women. The aetiology of PCOS is attributed to a multi-factorial interplay among environmental and genetic effects. The overarching goal evaluates the correlation among blood concentrations of total testosterone, sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in ladies with PCOS and the impact of obesity, age, marital popularity on the obtained results. This study was conducted at the National Center for Educational Laborites /Medical City/ Baghdad. The study comprised of a sample of 83 women, elderly between 17 -45 years, who had been selected in a random manner from a Gynaecology Clinic. The statistics collection duration spanned from November 2022 to March 2023. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were based on their body mass index (BMI), age and marital status. Investigations included serum-free testosterone measurements by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA), total testosterone, SHBG, E2, FSH and LH by Automated Immunoassay Analyzer (AIA-2000). The current findings showed non-significant distinctions in mean values of BMI between studied groups of patients and controls which reflect matches between them. This study revealed the effect of marital status compared to PCOS and healthy control subjects. Married PCOS patients were non significantly affected (83.9% vs. 85.2%, p>0.05) as compared to married controls. Results of these studies showed a significantly higher mean rate of serum FSH level in PCOS-affected women when opposed to normal individuals.

Bioterrorism in the Twenty-First Century: Exploring the Threat of Potential use of Biological Weapons by Anti-State Agents

Bioterrorism involves the intentional dissemination of biological agents, such as bacteria, viruses, toxins, or fungi, with the aim of causing widespread fear, illness, and death among targeted populations. Anti-state agents, including terrorist organizations or individuals with extremist ideologies, may employ bioterrorism as a means to achieve their political, ideological, or religious objectives. The study explores the motivation behind the potential use of bioterrorism by anti-state agents, the threat of biological warfare, and the state readiness in the case of a biological attack. It examines the history of biological warfare, the factors that make biological warfare attractive to terrorist organizations including potential for mass casualties, psychological factors behind the attacks, access of biological agents, and the issues and challenges associated with detection, responses, and prevention of a biological attack by anti-state agents. The research used securitization theory to understand the phenomenon behind biological warfare. The study identified that despite the small scale of biological attacks in the past by anti-state agents, the threat has increased in the recent times as the technological advances and access to these agents make the people vulnerable to such attacks by the non-state actors . The study also concluded that strengthening global surveillance systems, enhancing public health infrastructure, and promoting information sharing among states and international emergency response services are vital in preventing and mitigating the impact of bioterrorist attacks.

Development and application of a blocking ELISA based on a N protein monoclonal antibody for the antibody detection against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus 2

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is one of the most widespread illnesses in the world's swine business. To detect the antibodies against PRRSV-2, a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (B-ELISA) was developed, utilizing a PRRSV-2 N protein monoclonal antibody as the detection antibody. A checkerboard titration test was used to determine the optimal detection antibody dilution, tested pig serum dilution and purified PRRSV coated antigen concentration. After analyzing 174 negative pig sera and 451 positive pig sera, a cutoff value of 40 % was selected to distinguish between positive and negative sera using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The specificity and sensitivity of the assay were evaluated to equal 99.8 % and 96 %, respectively. The method had no cross-reaction with PCV2, PRV, PPV, CSFV, PEDV, TGEV, and PRRSV-1 serum antibodies, and the coefficients of variation of intra-batch and inter-batch repeatability experiments were both <10 %. A total of 215 clinical serum samples were tested, and the relative coincidence rate with commercial ELISA kit was 99.06 %, and the kappa value was 0.989, indicating that these two detection results exhibited high consistency. Overall, the B-ELISA should serve as an ideal method for large-scale serological investigation of PRRSV-2 antibodies in domestic pigs.

Association of COVID-19 symptoms and functional status of the COVID-19 survivors in a tertiary health care center in a developing country

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people globally, causing widespread illness and functional limitations. Methods This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between COVID-19 symptoms and the functional status of COVID-19 survivors at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in Bangladesh. A total of 244 COVID-19 survivors were enrolled in the study, and their symptoms and functional status were assessed using standardized questionnaires. The post-COVID-19 functional status scale (PCFS) was used to assess the entire range of functional outcomes. Results Among the participants 57.4% were male and 42.6% were female. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 44.6 ±14.7 years where 37.7% were from the 20-35 years age group. The mean duration of suffering from COVID-19 was 15.9 ±6.1 days where 61.5 % of the patients had a duration of suffering of 11-20 days. Out of the 244 patients, 40 patients had no functional limitation (grade 0 functional status in the PCFS scale) while 100 had negligible functional limitation and 14 had severe functional limitation. We found patients who were suffering from multi-symptoms were statistically significant with PCFS scale grade 4, whereas grade 1 was found to be statistically significant with only respiratory distress. There was a significant association between the duration of COVID-19 symptoms and post-COVID-19 functional status for patients who experienced symptoms for 14 days or more (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions Considering the negative impact of COVID-19 symptoms on functional status, comprehensive care and support are required for COVID-19 survivors.

Structure - Guided design of arctigenin derivatives against infections of Gyrodactylus kobayashii

Gyrodactylosis is a widespread parasitic illness that affects fish in both farming and natural environments. The current chemotherapy approaches are not always satisfactory, so the development of new anthelmintic agents is necessary. Arctigenin, a natural lignan found in various plants, possesses a multitude of biological activities. Previous research has demonstrated that arctigenin targets the protein myosin in Gyrodactylus kobayashii. Building upon this interaction, we designed 31 derivatives of arctigenin using Discovery Studio. The ester derivatives exhibited significant anthelmintic activity, with C-21 displaying the highest activity, boasting an EC50 of 0.4 mg/L. Furthermore, we conducted an investigation into the mechanism by which C-21 affects the parasite and discovered that it disrupts the muscular structure of the parasite's body surface, thus inhibiting its energy production and myosin expression, ultimately leading to the parasite's demise. In conclusion, C-21 exhibits promising potential as an agent for controlling Gyrodactylus kobayashii infection.

Hematological Assessments of Children with Oral Aphthous Ulcer in Diyala Governorate, Iraq

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although the terms “aphthous ulcers” and “aphthous stomatitis” have been used interchangeably in the past, the latter is now preferable. It is a widespread illness that affects 20% of the general population and 9% of children, according to estimates. Due to the high prevalence, pediatric patients who complain of mouth ulcers frequently present to medical and dental specialists. OBJECTIVES: Hematological assessments of patients with oral aphthous ulcer and comparison with healthy control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case–control study of 120 kids was conducted. The study included 100 patients with oral aphthous ulcer (56 male and 44 female) and a group of 20 healthy controls (10 males and 10 females). Data were collected using questionnaires. The questionnaires had two sections. The first section involved personal information. The second section is related to hematological examinations, such as hemoglobin level, serum iron level, folic acid level, Vitamin B12 level, and mean corpuscular volume. Statistical analysis was carried out using the t-test, and the LSD was employed to significantly compare the means. RESULTS: The level of hemoglobin in the control group was statistically highly significantly increased when compared with patients with mean ± standard error (SE) (13.14 ± 0.20) versus mean ± SE (10.39 ± 0.19). Serum iron showed an increased level in the control group compared to patients with statistically showed highly significant correlation with mean ± SE (71.77 ± 5.14) versus mean ± SE (46.76 ± 2.79). A highly significant correlation existed when compared the control group and patients concerning Vitamin B12 levels with mean ± SE (517.02 ± 28.11) versus mean ± SE (367.32 ± 21.25). CONCLUSIONS: Hemoglobin, serum iron, and Vitamin B12 levels of patients are higher than that of controls. It is very important to observe the hemoglobin, folic acid, Vitamin B12, and serum iron levels in patients with oral ulcer before it starts to suggest treatments for oral ulcer.

Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction among Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Both coronary artery disease (CAD) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are widespread illnesses that frequently coexist. Numerous triggering risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms contribute to both diseases. Penile color Doppler ultrasound can serve as a crucial tool to evaluate penile arterial blood flow. Therefore, this study aims to assess the ED prevalence in CAD patients, to determine the socioeconomic and clinical profiles of the population, and to define risk factors of their development. The cross-sectional study included 100 male patients who were admitted to the coronary angiography (CAG) unit. Patients were asked if they had ED, and if present, it was graded using the International Index of Erectile Function 5. Right and left cavernosal arteries were examined using color Doppler and erection hardness to assess the peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity. Among the 52 cases that suffered from ED, most of the cases had mild grades (38.5%). All cases without ED (100%) had penile artery Doppler PSV findings ≥30 (cm/s) with an average Doppler PSV of 48.02 ± 7.49 cm/s for the right cavernosal arteries and 47.4 ± 7.17 cm/s for the left cavernosal arteries. Yet, 71.2% of cases with ED had penile artery Doppler PSV findings &lt;30 (cm/s) with an average Doppler PSV of 29.1 ± 7.57 cm/s for the right cavernosal arteries and 28.69 ± 7.11 cm/s for the left cavernosal arteries. Furthermore, by CAG, 50% of cases without ED had blockage not necessitating a coronary intervention (no significant disease) compared to 25% of cases with ED. There was positive correlation between advanced grade of ED and age (r = 0.327, P &lt;0.001), hypertension (r = 0.213, P = 0.033), DM (r = 0.253, P = 0.011), smoking (r = 0.202, P = 0.044), and severity of CAD (r = 0.332, P &lt;0.001). Patients with multivessel CAD have a significantly higher incidence and more severity of ED. Moreover, pathological penile vessels PSV (&lt;25 or &lt;30 cm/s) via Doppler ultrasound is mostly valuable as a noninvasive tool to define ED attributable to vascular impairment that may be antecedent to atherosclerosis in the coronary vessels.

Silver Nanoparticles From Cassia alata L. Incorporated to Coconut Oil‐Oleogel Based Ointment As An Alternative for Diabetes Mellitus Wound Healing: Optimization, In Vitro and In Vivo Tests

AbstractDiabetes mellitus, a widespread chronic illness categorized by elevated blood sugar levels, poses a significant health burden. This study aimed to synthesize an optimal oleogel formula and investigate its impact on accelerating diabetic wound healing through a multidimensional approach. The evaluation spanned in vitro examination utilizing bacterial cultures, and in vivo assessments on mice, involving a meticulous 9‐day observation of wound healing percentages. The successful synthesis and characterization of AgNPs and Na‐CMC laid the foundation for further exploration. Oleogel formulation optimization using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) revealed the most effective composition featuring Na‐CMC at 4.5 %, beeswax at 12.5 %, and a stirring temperature of 80 °C. Manufacturing success was affirmed through comprehensive testing encompassing pH, organoleptic properties, dispersion, gelation time, and FTIR analyses. Characteristics of extracted nanoparticles were scrutinized through SEM‐EDX, PSA, and Zetapotential tests. In vitro evaluations showcased the commendable antibacterial activity of AgNPs. Notably, in vivo observations highlighted the superior wound healing capabilities of oleogel ointment enriched with AgNPs. These findings collectively underscore the promising potential of the synthesized oleogel in promoting the healing process for diabetic wounds, validated through diverse analytical approaches, marking a significant stride toward effective therapeutic interventions in diabetes‐related wound management.

Association of COVID-19 symptoms and functional status of the COVID-19 survivors in a tertiary health care center in a developing country

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people globally, causing widespread illness and functional limitations. Methods This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between COVID-19 symptoms and the functional status of COVID-19 survivors at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in Bangladesh. A total of 244 COVID-19 survivors were enrolled in the study, and their symptoms and functional status were assessed using standardized questionnaires. The post-COVID-19 functional status scale (PCFS) was used to assess the entire range of functional outcomes. Results Among the participants 57.4% were male and 42.6% were female. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 44.6 ±14.7 years where 37.7% were from the 20-35 years age group. The mean duration of suffering from COVID-19 was 15.9 ±6.1 days where 61.5 % of the patients had a duration of suffering of 11-20 days. Out of the 244 patients, 40 patients had no functional limitation (grade 0 functional status in the PCFS scale) while 100 had negligible functional limitation and 14 had severe functional limitation. We found patients who were suffering from multi-symptoms were statistically significant with PCFS scale grade 4, whereas grade 1 was found to be statistically significant with only respiratory distress. There was a significant association between the duration of COVID-19 symptoms and post-COVID-19 functional status for patients who experienced symptoms for 14 days or more (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions Considering the negative impact of COVID-19 symptoms on functional status, comprehensive care and support are required for COVID-19 survivors.