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In the past, natural pigments derived from plant-biomass wastes had been widely used for coloring purposes (e.g. fabrics/batik), before finally getting pushed aside by the imported synthetic/inorganic pigments. Thorough attempts to revive the use of such natural pigments then deserve carrying out. Relevantly, conducting storage of liquid/wet or dry natural coloring pigments, extracted from wood wastes; and use of fixatives for batik fabrics intended to impart fabric-color variations. Wood wastes (i.e. leaves and barks) were obtained from nine plant species (Acacia mangium Willd, Avicenia marina L, Caesalpinia sappan L, Ceriop tagal Perr. CB. Rob, Pelthophorum ferruginum Benth, Rhyzophora mucronata Lamk, Tectona grandis Linn.f., Terminalia catappa L and Xylocarpus granatum KD Koenig.), prevalently growing on plain/lowland areas; and their wood portions commonly utilized by wood industries, which generate similar wastes enormously. The pigments in liquid/wet and then in dry forms were produced from those wastes. The production process of pigments adopted traditions by local batik crafters in Bogor. Variations occurring in fabric colors could be due to fixatives, i.e. lime (CaCO3), ferrous sulphate/tunjung (FeSO4); and various wastes. Six-month storage insignificantly changed the coloring qualities of natural coloring pigments applied to fabrics, compared to those of corresponding initially produced pigments. Leaf wastes always contained green-colored compounds, while bark wastes appeared aptly brownish in color. Color performances of bark extracts at fabrics with ferro-sulfat fixative brought about strong grey colors, and with lime fixative produced brown colors. Coloring of fabrics using leaf waste extracts with ferro-sulfat fixative aptly exhibited greenish grey; while with lime fixative became reddish brown. Testing results on the leaching resistance of pigment-colored and fixative-treated fabrics against rubbing and exposure to sunlight revealed a very good category (4-5), but against detergent, washing was very low (2-3).

Today, there are said to be some 590 million people of all ages around the world, who are suffering from a range of swallowing problems – probably about 4 million in the UK. Either living at home or as residents in some 20,000 Care Homes, with perhaps another 25,000 as patients in hospitals every day.Professor David Smithard, of the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, has been leading a national campaign for some years to raise general awareness of Dysphagia and to improve the treatment of patients with varying conditions. He and his team at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital have now completed a detailed Review of the use of carbonated water (CW) in the treatment of Dysphagia, which has just been published and can be accessed here: https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/8/1/6The Review concludes that further evidence-based research is essential before CW can be adopted as standard in clinical practice – but that although the amount of evidence is small, there is a suggestion that swallows are safer and that secretion management improves, and consequently until further studies are undertaken, Carbonated Water should be limited to individual patient use.My experience as a Dysphagia sufferer is that the use of CW has resulted in life-changing benefits, and this paper is devoted to describing how CW worked for me, and what the practical requirements are, so that many others may be able to benefit as I have done. The paper has three sections: My Personal Experience, Practical Considerations, and Conclusions.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive and debilitating neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. The disease is characterized by motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity and postural instability, as well as non-motor symptoms such as depression and cognitive impairment. While there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, there are various treatments available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life for patients.This case study examines a 65-year-old retired accountant, Mr. John Smith, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease five years ago. Mr. Smith has been treated with a combination of medications, including levodopa and carbidopa and physical therapy to manage his symptoms. However, his symptoms have not significantly improved.This literature review explores the current research on Parkinson’s disease, including its pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. Parkinson’s disease is caused by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, leading to a depletion of dopamine and the accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein, oxidative stress and inflammation. Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, neurological examination and response to dopaminergic therapy. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, with medications and non-pharmacological interventions such as exercise and physical therapy. Deep brain stimulation is a surgical treatment option that has been shown to be effective in managing motor symptoms.While there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, ongoing research into its pathophysiology and treatment holds promise for improving outcomes for patients. This case study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and personalized treatment plans for patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Hypertension is a risk factor for the development of heart failure and has a negative impact on the survival of these patients. Although patients with these two conditions usually take different antihypertensive medications, some patients do not achieve adequate blood pressure control and their hypertension becomes resistant or refractory. In this scenario, percutaneous renal denervation has emerged in recent years as an alternative to achieve blood pressure control goals. We present the case of a 53-year-old woman with a medical history of essential hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, unipolar depression, and diabetes, who was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (33%). Despite the initiation of multiple antihypertensive medications and placement of a cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker, the patient remained hypertensive with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40%. At that time, percutaneous renal denervation was performed without complications, and one year after the procedure, the patient had improved better blood pressure control and the left ventricular ejection fraction increased to 51%. This case illustrates one of the clinical scenarios in which it has been suggested that renal denervation may be more beneficial, as in the situation of patients with refractory hypertension and heart failure.

Recent clinical, experimental and epidemiological studies report that ALS is thought possibly due to a multi-stage process, arising from a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, which alone or superimposed, perhaps on genetic polymorphism yet to be identified, may contribute to the incidence rate of sporadic ALS. In particular, a large amount of evidence suggests that mercury is toxic to motor neurons and may be a risk factor for ALS, playing a part in its pathogenesis. In fact, there have been case reports of ALS or ALS-like symptoms associated with mercury exposure, thus raising the possibility that mercury could be one of the non-genetic factors of the multistep process that is thought to underlie ALS. In order to give recent elucidations on the putative relationship between mercury exposure and ALS, we reviewed all the papers reported in the literature and published on Pubmed from 2006 to 2022. Despite a number of pathogenetic mechanisms that have been linked to mercury, evidence linking exposure to mercury to ALS is not consistent and discordant and, based on the evaluation of the articles, which emerged from our analysis that to date no convincing correlation between mercury and ALS has been established and no conclusive evidence has been enlightened suggesting increased mercury exposure is associated with ALS.

Prescriptions for psychoactive substances such as Pregabalin, Methamphetamine, Caffeine, Clonazepam and Mirtazapine (PM-CCM) are common in the treatment of a variety of disorders. Indeed, the PM-CCM has been used in different therapeutic areas, including insomnia, anxiety, seizure disorders, etc. Unfortunately, these psychoactive substances are present in the illegal street market, leading to a lot of drug abuse among some addicted users, road insecurity and suicide. Hence, it has become essential to validate and develop a rapid and effective method to analyze the PM-CCM, a modified illicit drug, for drug abuse in the forensic sciences. A simple, rapid, specific and sensitive Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry(GC-MS) method has been developed for the identification of Pregabalin, Methamphetamine, Caffeine, Clonazepam and Mirtazapine (PM-CCM) in forensic exhibits. At room temperature, the sample was ultrasonicated for 5 minutes before being extracted with methanol. A highly precise auto-injector is used to inject a very small quantity of samples for analysis. Helium is used as a carrier gas with a flow rate of 1 ml/min. The separation of PM-CCM was performed on SH-RXi-5 MS, ID.25 mm, film thickness. 25 µm, length of 30 m column. The constituents of PM-CCM were identified by the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z ratio) of fragments of the parent compound by comparing them with the NIST-17 MS Library. Separation and identification of PM-CCM were achieved within a 15-minute run. The proposed method has been successfully used for the routine analysis of PM-CCM in complex illicit drug preparations and in forensic exhibits as well. The application of above discussed qualitative analysis method and screening of PM-CCM, modified illicit drug samples demonstrates the potential and applicability of the technique to the fast chemical profiling of illicit samples.  

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a potent antimicrobial agent that has recently gained attention as a potential alternative to conventional antibiotics. HOCl is produced by the human immune system in response to infection and is known for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. It is effective against a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and has been shown to be more effective than many conventional antibiotics. One of the key advantages of HOCl is its ability to kill bacteria without promoting the development of antibiotic resistance. Unlike conventional antibiotics, which target specific bacterial structures or processes, HOCl acts by disrupting multiple cellular components, making it much more difficult for bacteria to develop resistance. Another advantage of HOCl is its safety profile. Unlike many conventional antibiotics, HOCl is not toxic to human cells and does not cause side effects such as gastrointestinal upset or allergic reactions. Overall, HOCl shows great promise as a potential alternative to conventional antibiotics, particularly in the face of rising antibiotic resistance. With further research, it may become an important tool in the fight against infectious diseases. Herein, we discuss the mechanisms of HOCl antimicrobial action, its potential clinical applications, and future directions for research. This review aims to provide an overview of the use of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) as an antibiotic agent.

Vacuum therapy has become a new option in the treatment of wounds in surgery. More recently this therapy has also been used as a treatment for anastomotic leakages in association or not to emergency surgery. The management of these devices should be familiar to all the staff in a surgical ward.

mRNA drugs are synthesized using cell-free systems without complex and stringent manufacturing processes, which makes their preparation simple, efficient, and economical. Over the past few years, mRNAs encoding antibodies have been one of the research frontiers of antibody drug development. In cancer immunotherapy, mRNAs encoding immune checkpoint antibodies may be advantageous regarding antibody persistence and durability of the anti-tumor immune response of patients. In our previous study, a candidate antibody—AET2010—targeting the novel immune checkpoint TIGIT was reported. Its anti-tumor activity was also investigated using adoptive transfer of NK-92MI cells in a xenograft mouse model, but the limitations of the model did not facilitate precise evaluation. In the present study, we further investigated the therapeutic potential of AET2010 for cancer in TIGIT-humanized BALB/c mice. Next, we explored the design, synthesis, and optimization of mRNAs encoding AET2010 and ultimately obtained a candidate mRNA (mRNA-BU) with favorable in vitro and in vivo expression levels of active AET2010. Particularly, lipid-nanoparticle-encapsulated mRNA-BU delivered to mice produced AET2010 with significantly higher peak concentration and expression duration than an equivalent dose of original AET2010. This study provides a sound basis for developing novel drugs targeting TIGIT.

Therapies using autologous serum and platelet lysate have shown promise among blood and biological products in the treatment of various diseases. The autologous serum has been shown to be a superior alternative to traditional eye drops in treating eye diseases in ophthalmology. Platelet lysate (PL) has recently been considered a more interesting alternative for the treatment of multiple tissues, as it does not have the unfavorable reactions seen with traditional platelet-rich plasma (PRP), making it a valuable blood derivative for use in ocular therapy. There is no definitive comparison in veterinary medicine between PL and autologous serum in terms of the content of Transforming Growth Factor beta 1 (TGF-1), which is known to have chemotactic, mitogenic, matrix formation, and angiogenesis effects on tissues, and beneficial proteins in ocular tissue. This study aimed to estimate the concentrations of TGF-1, total protein, and albumin, as well as autologous serum and platelet lysate, in horses over an 8-day storage period at temperatures of 4 °C and 37 °C.To produce autologous serum, 63 ml of blood was collected from each animal in seven 9 ml tubes without anticoagulant. For platelet lysate, 180 ml of blood was collected in 50 tubes of 3.6 ml with 3.2% sodium citrate. The most significant findings were the positive relationship between the baseline platelet count in the blood and the final platelet concentration in PRP. Specifically, we found a correlation (R = 0.9) with a p - value of 0.005 between the average baseline platelet level of seven animals and their corresponding PRP results, both on an individual level and as a group. Additionally, there was a correlation between growth factor concentration and PRP platelets, with the highest growth factor concentration in PL. The temperature storage group exhibited higher concentrations of total protein and serum albumin, as well as the maximum amount of growth factor for both products at a temperature of 37 °C.

Drug addiction remains a major health concern following its devastating consequences to the users and the economy. Current statistics show a rising trend in substance abuse around the globe with approximately 284 million people engaging in drug abuse. Various approaches are used to treat the victims of drug abuse. Cognitive behavior therapy, a form of nonpharmacological intervention, has also been shown to be an effective treatment option for drug addiction. The use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has grown since the 1970s to become one of the most important models of psychotherapy in this decade. Various empirical studies have shown the efficacy of CBT in well-controlled trials. A total of 19 randomized trials (cases) (with over 1400 patients treated) were selected and studied. In the various cases, results showed that patients were treated for drug and substance abuse disorders with the majority being those who abused cannabis, cocaine, alcohol and other opioids. In most cases, the CBT techniques that were used for drug addiction included cognitive restructuring, relapse prevention and contingency management. Components of CBT for drug addiction include skills and training, amplification of non-substance-related activities, approaches for managing urges, drug rejection and improvement of social aptitudes. Cognitive restructuring focuses on the identification of misconceptions and influencing the way people think about themselves by eliminating distorted thinking. Relapse prevention focuses on the identification and prevention of high-risk situations that may trigger the patient to engage in drug abuse. Contingency management reinforces positive behaviors and reduces negative behaviors through the use of rewards and incentives.

In 2005 we reported for the first time on a chemical route aiming to synthesize stable magnetic carbon/graphite. By using the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technique we have verified that its magnetism is an intrinsic property of this synthesized material and not originated from ferromagnetic impurities of any kind. Through direct measurement of the local magnetic field using Carbon-13, we have concluded that its magnetism originated from defects in the structure. From its biocompatibility, we have been working on the use of magnetic carbon/graphite to deliver many compounds aiming to fight different diseases. Despite all the scientific and technological advances of the present day, cancer is a multifactorial and difficult-to-treat disease, killing hundreds of thousands of people a year worldwide. Therefore, the development of a new and efficient drug delivery system to fight cancer – among other diseases - is as important as the discovery of a novel active molecule. In this review of our own work, we show the drug delivery system named MAGUS® (an acronym for Magnetic Graphite Universal System) we have built based on nanostructured magnetic carbon/graphite. This is an innovative and promising system composed of a biocompatible nanostructured particle of magnetic carbon/graphite functionalized with different molecules and materials. MAGUS®, depending on what we link to its structure, is so versatile and can be used to detect a wide range of specimens, from tumors and cancers to chemical and biological agents used as non-conventional weapons. That is why we call it universal. In the present work, MAGUS® will be acting as a biosensor, where the magnetic carbon/graphite is functionalized with radioactive particles of Iodine-131 and antibodies of different types of cancer. Then, by focusing on both the antigen-antibody interaction and the spatial guiding through an external magnetic field we are providing our drug delivery system a double way to detect and reach just the target. Based on these strategies, the functionalized magnetic carbon/graphite will reach only the neoplasm and not the surrounding healthy cells around. In a general view, it means that we are giving specificity to the MAGUS® drug delivery system as a pioneering and effective way to detect and treat cancers. We are also working on this unprecedented and efficient drug delivery system using the principles of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) with Boron-10 instead of Iodine-131. BNCT technique uses neutrons as the external source and is frequently employed to treat specific tumors that are radio resistant or very difficult to kill using conventional radiation therapy. In summary, we show here for the first time that our Magnetic Graphite Universal System associated with nuclear techniques can be successfully used as a biosensor to detect and fight cancers and tumors with powerful features that conventional delivery drug systems and other treatments do not have at all.

The ability to live things to transfer their genetic heritage to future generations in a healthy way forms the basis of the science of reproduction. In this sense, understanding the structure and functions of the sperm cell, which is one of the sexual cells, is one of the important issues that should be emphasized. Methods such as omics, genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, which have been found in research in recent years, are also used to evaluate the functions of the sperm cell.

The gold standard for advanced-stage ovarian cancer surgery entails exploration via a midline vertical laparotomy. Studies have shown that minimally invasive surgery (MIS) can be a safe and effective method for the surgical management of early ovarian cancer. In some cases, MIS can also be selectively used for cytoreductive surgery in cases with advanced-stage ovarian cancer. The robotic platform has the potential to provide similar outcomes to the laparotomy-based standard of care in advanced complex surgery while accelerating recovery, minimizing morbidity, and reducing perioperative complications. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate surgical and perioperative outcomes in patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma who underwent robotic-assisted cytoreduction. A chart review of a nonselected consecutive series of all patients undergoing surgical management of advanced ovarian cancer between 7/1/2017 and 12/31/2021 was conducted. All patients that were diagnosed with Stage III to IV ovarian cancer between the timeframe underwent robotic-assisted cytoreductive surgery at two urban community teaching hospitals in Los Angeles. Twenty-five patients were identified and included in this study. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon. Optimal or complete CRS was achieved in 96% of the patients (24 of 25 cases). Seven (28%) underwent primary cytoreduction (PCRS) and 18 (72%) underwent interval cytoreduction (ICRS). The estimated median blood loss was 100 mL (25-500 mL), the median operative time was 5.9 hours (3.1-10.5 hours), and the conversion rate to open laparotomy was 0%. There were no intraoperative complications and the readmission rate within 30 days was 4% (1 patient) for ileus, which was managed conservatively. Currently, 64% of the patients in the case series remain alive. The median survival has not been reached. The median follow-up is 4.08 years. Results presented from this nonselected, consecutive case series illustrate how a minimally invasive robotic approach can be safely used in place of the standard exploratory laparotomy for ovarian cytoreduction.

Introduction: This paper presents the first application of forensic entomology in a murder investigation in Nigeria involving the remains of a 54-years victim, on January 9th, 2019 in a shaded wooded area in advanced decomposition, with no clear indication of the time of death. Objectives: To estimate the minimum post-mortem interval of a 54-year-old corpse recovered in the advanced decomposition stage using the blowfly Chrysomya megacephala and the Advance-Degree-day (ADD) method.Results: An autopsy report revealed multiple wounds to the forehead including a bullet hole. Dead embalmed dead maggots recovered from the body were identified as C. megacephala, and an accumulated degree-day model was used to estimate the minimum post-mortem interval. The findings revealed that the recovered larvae were still within the third-instar stage and had accumulated thermal energy between 58 hours (= 1.6 days, equivalent to 38.7 ADD) and 102 hours (= 2.8 days, equivalent to 68.0 ADD), suggesting that the body may have been exposed to insect activity between January 1st and 9th January 2019 after expanding the range to cater for some uncertainties. Conclusion: In this Nigerian murder case, forensic entomology used the calliphorid species C. megacephala to estimate the minPMI to be between 2 and 9 days before the body was discovered, which translates to 1st - 9th January 2019 after consideration of some uncertainties and limitations. This confirmed the crucial role that insects play in providing valuable evidence to complement forensic pathological findings in homicides when conventional methods failed. Notwithstanding difficulties with employing insect evidence in forensic investigations in Nigeria, the application of this modern forensic technique has the potential to aid in the resolution of many unsolved murder cases and expedite the delivery of justice. The ability of law enforcement agencies in Nigeria to use the potential of insects in criminal investigations can be improved through collaborations and training with professionals from diverse professions.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in Alzheimer’s and many other diseases and more recently, it has been linked to various COVID-19-related symptoms. Many diseases do not develop immediately as a result of the accumulated causes or injury, but rather, as a result of prolonged exposure to elevated oxidative stress, which disrupts the body’s natural homeostatic functions.

Cancer prognosis reflects a complex biological process measured by multiple types of omics data. Deep learning frameworks have been proposed to integrate multi-omics data and predict patient outcomes in different cancer types, potentially revolutionizing cancer prognosis with superior performance. This minireview summarizes the advances in the strategies for multi-omics data integration and the performance of different deep learning models in prognosis prediction of diverse cancer types using multi-omics data published in the past 18 months. The challenges and limitations of deep learning models for predicting cancer outcomes based on multi-omics data are discussed.

The appropriateness of opioid therapy for patients with Chronic Non-Malignant Pain (CNCP) has been questioned by a variety of researchers and policy makers [1-3]. One comprehensive review concluded that the benefits of such therapy for pain relief and functional improvement are modest at best and that opioid therapy is associated with significant harms including various symptoms (e.g., headache, nausea, sedation), development of opioid use disorder, fractures and death from overdose [3].

Introduction: The spread of SARS-CoV-2 cases grew exponentially. In Mexico, it focused mainly on containing the disease and adopting activities and actions to mitigate it. Hospital reconversion was a fundamental strategy in the management of care for patients with COVID-19.Objective: To know the clinical characteristics of patients admitted with respiratory disease and probable COVID-19 in the Zacatecas General Hospital “Luz González Cosío” México.Material and methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional, and analytical study, at the General Hospital, from March 2019 to September 2021; using data from the Respiratory Disease Surveillance System. Data from patients admitted with a diagnosis of some pathology of respiratory disease and probable COVID-19 were analyzed.Results: We included 2,678 diagnosed with respiratory disease and a mean age; of 47.6 ± 21.6 gender distribution was almost equal; women 1,344 (51.0%). positive result to COVID-19 by PCR; 1,654 negatives; 900 and 124 without result. 193 (7.0%) required mechanical ventilation. The presence of comorbidities was evaluated; type 2 diabetes mellitus, systemic arterial hypertension, obesity, alone and together. Also the association of the age factor, as well as the lethality index; was 531 (19.6%).Discussion: What has been published in other studies about comorbidities and their influence on the severity of COVID-19 is confirmed, disagreeing on the case fatality rate; 20.7% against what was reported; 17.6% in other countries for COVID-19 hospitalized. An age variable was used as a risk factor with a cut-off point > 45 years; (FRE), obtaining; RR 3.42 (95% CI 2.79 to 4.19) and an odds ratio of 4.015 in binary logistic regression analysis. Reported male mortality (OR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.41–1.51) according to our OR results; 1,45.Conclusion: The present study shows how certain chronic diseases influenced respiratory disease to present a serious state, regardless of the positive or negative result of COVID-19.

The field of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ENT) has seen tremendous progress in the development of advanced treatments for various ENT disorders in recent years. This progress has been driven by advances in technology and research, which have led to the development of new and improved surgical techniques, medications, and devices. As a result, patients with ENT disorders now have more treatment options than ever before, and the quality of care that they receive has improved significantly.