Methods: EA cells were treated with conditioned media (CM) of LS 174T-γ-Syn or LS 174T-PrP, and their proliferation, invasion, migration, adhesion and ability to form angiogenic tubes were assessed using a range of biological assays. To investigate plausible background mechanisms in conferring the properties of EA cells above, nitrite oxide (NO) levels were measured and the expression of angiogenesis-related factors was assessed using a human angiogenesis antibody array.
Results: EA proliferation was significantly inhibited by LS 174T-PrP CM whereas its telomerase activity was reduced by CM of LS 174T-γ-Syn or LS 174T-PrP, as compared to EA incubated with LS 174T CM. Besides, LS 174T-γ-Syn CM or LS 174T-PrP CM inhibited EA invasion and migration in Boyden chamber assay. Furthermore, LS 174T-γ-Syn CM significantly inhibited EA migration in scratch wound assay. Gelatin zymography revealed reduced secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by EA treated with LS 174T-γ-Syn CM or LS 174T-PrP CM. In addition, cell adhesion assay showed lesser LS 174T-γ-Syn or LS 174T-PrP cells adhered onto EA, as compared to LS 174T. In tube formation assay, LS 174T-γ-Syn CM or LS 174T-PrP CM induced EA tube formation. Increased NO secretion by EA treated with LS 174T-γ-Syn CM or LS 174T-PrP CM was also detected. Lastly, decreased expression of pro-angiogenic factors like CXCL16, IGFBP-2 and amphiregulin in LS 174T-γ-Syn CM or LS 174T-PrP CM was detected using the angiogenesis antibody array.
Discussion: These results suggest that overexpression of γ-Syn or PrPCcould possibly be involved in colorectal cancer-induced angiogenesis by inducing an endothelial proliferation-differentiation switch. NO could be the main factor in governing this switch, and modulation on the secretion patterns of angiogenesis-related proteins could be the strategy of colorectal cancer cells overexpressing γ-Syn or PrPCin ensuring this transition.
METHODS: A state-wide cross-sectional study was conducted. There were 336 native renal biopsies in 296 eligible patients from 1st January 2013 to 30th June 2016. All patients aged ≥12 years with sufficient sampling (≥8 glomeruli) for histopathological assessment were included. Graft kidney biopsies, protocol-based biopsies and patients with uncertain demographics were excluded. Demographics of patients, clinical data, laboratory parameters prior to biopsy, and histology findings of renal biopsies were collected from local unit database and recorded into a standardised data collection form. Descriptive statistical analyses were employed and factors associated with Lupus nephritis (LN) were explored using logistic regression.
RESULTS: The mean age during biopsy was 34.53 years (Standard Deviation 0.759). Primary glomerulonephritis (PGN) accounted for 42.6% (126) of all native renal biopsies. The commonest cause of PGN was minimal change disease (38.9%, 49) followed by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (33.3%, 42) and IgA nephropathy (14.3%, 18). LN is the leading cause for secondary glomerulonephritis (SGN) (87.2%, 136). Younger age (Odds Ratio, OR 0.978; 95% Confidence Interval, 95%CI 0.960, 0.996); female gender (OR 17.53; p<0.001); significant proteinuria (OR 132.0; p<0.001); creatinine level at biopsy (OR 11.26; p=0.004); positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) (OR 46.7; p<0.001); and ANA patterns (OR 8.038; p=0.018) were significant in predicting the odds of having LN.
CONCLUSION: This is the first epidemiology study of glomerular diseases in Sabah. The predominance of LN suggests lower threshold for renal biopsy in patients with suspected glomerular disorders. We have identified significant predictors for early detection and treatment of LN.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the behavioral effects of prolonged MS in the offspring of mice using the EPM and MB tests.
METHODS: Male BALB/c mice were isolated from their mothers for 4 h each day during the first 30 days after birth. On day 50 postnatal, groups of separated and non-separated mice (n = 18/each group) were subjected to the EPM and MB tests for comparative behavioral evaluations. In addition, the locomotor activity of mice was evaluated using the actophotometer test.
RESULTS: The findings of the EPM test revealed that separated mice exhibited anxiolytic-like behaviors, as evidenced by a significant increase in the latency to closed arms and the time spent in the open arms compared with non-separated mice. Separated mice also showed compulsive burying activity in the MB test, as determined by a significant increase in the number of buried marbles. The results of the actophotometer test did not show any significant change in locomotor activity.
CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged MS caused the adult offspring of mice to exhibit a decrease in anxiety state and increased compulsive burying activity, which were not associated with a change in locomotor activity. Further investigations with validated tests are needed to support these findings.
METHODS: The liquids were adsorbed on microcrystalline cellulose, and all developed formulations were compressed using 10.5 mm shallow concave round punches.
RESULTS: The resulting tablets were evaluated for different quality-control parameters at pre- and postcompression levels. Simvastatin showed better solubility in a mixture of oils and Tween 60 (10:1). All the developed formulations showed lower self-emulsification time (˂200 seconds) and higher cloud point (˃60°C). They were free of physical defects and had drug content within the acceptable range (98.5%-101%). The crushing strength of all formulations was in the range of 58-96 N, and the results of the friability test were within the range of USP (≤1). Disintegration time was within the official limits (NMT 15 min), and complete drug release was achieved within 30 min.
CONCLUSION: Using commonly available excipients and machinery, SEDDS-based tablets with better dissolution profile and bioavailability can be prepared by direct compression. These S-SEDDSs could be a better alternative to conventional tablets of simvastatin.
AIM: This study aimed to compare the incidence and associated risk factors of pDDIs among a public and private sector hospital in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
METHOD: A retrospective cross-sectional study design was conducted to compare pDDIs among public and private sector hospitals from January 2023 to February 2023. Patients profile data for the full year starting from January 1 2022 to December 302022, was accessed All adult patients aged 18 years and above, of both genders, who currently have or have previously been diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were included. For assessing pDDIs, patient data was retrieved and checked using Lexicomp UpToDate® for severity and documentation of potential drug-drug interactions.
RESULTS: A total of 358 patients' data was retrieved (with n = 179 in each hospital); however, due to incomplete data, n = 4 patients were excluded from the final analysis. The prevalence of pDDIs was found to be significantly higher in private hospitals (84.7%) than in public hospitals (26.6%), with a p-value <0.001. Patients in the age category of 41-60 years (AOR = 6.2; p = 0.008) and those prescribed a higher number of drugs (AOR = 1.2; p = 0.027) were independently associated with pDDIs in private hospitals, while the higher number of prescribed drugs (AOR = 2.9; p = <0.001) was an independent risk factor for pDDIs in public hospitals. The majority of pDDIs (79.0%) were of moderate severity, and a significant number of patients (15.1%) also experienced major pDDIs, with a p-value <0.001. The majority of pDDIs had fair documentation for reliability rating in both public and private hospitals.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pDDIs was higher among CKD patients at private hospitals, and most of the pDDIs were of moderate severity. A considerable number of patients also experienced major pDDIs. The risk of experiencing pDDIs was found to be higher in older patients and among those prescribed a higher number of drugs.
METHODS: Male albino rats were exposed to the equivalent of HCQ therapeutic doses given to human patients being affected by malaria, lupus erythematosus, and COVID-19. The animal blood samples were subjected to hematological analysis, biochemical analysis, liver function tests, kidney function tests, and cardiac biomarkers. Liver, kidney, heart, spleen, and testis biopsies were subjected to histological examination.
RESULTS: HCQ significantly lowered the values of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, leucocytes, and lymphocytes but significantly increased the values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), amylase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, cholesterol, and chlorine ions. The renal tissues of HCQ-treated animals demonstrated glomerular fragmentation, partial atrophy degeneration, renal tubules hydropic degeneration, hyaline cast formation, and interstitial edema formation. Additionally, the heart exhibited myofiber necrosis, myolysis, wavy appearance, disorganization, and disarray. The testicular tissues also demonstrated spermatocyte degeneration, spermatogenic cell sloughing, testicular interstitial edema, and occasional spermatogenic arrest. Additionally, the spleen showed a decrease in the number and size of the white pulp follicles, a decrease in the number of apoptotic activity, and a decline in the number of T-rich cells. However, the red pulp demonstrated a diffuse decline in B rich-lymphocytes and macrophages. The liver was also the least affected but showed Kupffer cell hyperplasia and occasional hepatocyte dysplasia.
CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that chronic exposure to HCQ could alter the structures and functions of the vital organs.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the potential uses, benefits, and risks of using ChatGPT in education modules on integrated pharmacotherapy of infectious disease.
METHODS: A content analysis was conducted to investigate the applications of ChatGPT in education modules on integrated pharmacotherapy of infectious disease. Questions pertaining to curriculum development, syllabus design, lecture note preparation, and examination construction were posed during data collection. Three experienced professors rated the appropriateness and precision of the answers provided by ChatGPT. The consensus rating was considered. The professors also discussed the prospective applications, benefits, and risks of ChatGPT in this educational setting.
RESULTS: ChatGPT demonstrated the ability to contribute to various aspects of curriculum design, with ratings ranging from 50% to 92% for appropriateness and accuracy. However, there were limitations and risks associated with its use, including incomplete syllabi, the absence of essential learning objectives, and the inability to design valid questionnaires and qualitative studies. It was suggested that educators use ChatGPT as a resource rather than relying primarily on its output. There are recommendations for effectively incorporating ChatGPT into the curriculum of the education modules on integrated pharmacotherapy of infectious disease.
CONCLUSIONS: Medical and health sciences educators can use ChatGPT as a guide in many aspects related to the development of the curriculum of the education modules on integrated pharmacotherapy of infectious disease, syllabus design, lecture notes preparation, and examination preparation with caution.
METHODS: Three major databases - Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, and PubMed - for relevant studies published between 1 January 2010 and 12 February 2023 were searched for studies evaluating the effectiveness of digital intervention for smoking cessation in Asian countries.
RESULTS: A total of 25 studies of varying designs were eligible for this study collectively involving a total of n = 22,005 participants from 9 countries. Among different digital tools for smoking cessation, the highest abstinence rate (70%) was reported with cognitive behavioural theory (CBT)-based smoking cessation intervention via Facebook followed by smartphone app (60%), WhatsApp (59.9%), and Pharmacist counselling with Quit US smartphone app (58.4%). However, WhatsApp was preferred over Facebook intervention due to lower rates of relapse. WeChat was responsible for 15.6% and 41.8% 7-day point prevalence abstinence. For telephone/text messaging abstinence rate ranged from 8-44.3% and quit rates from 6.3% to 16.8%. Whereas, no significant impact of media/multimedia messages and web-based learning on smoking cessation was observed in this study.
CONCLUSION: Based on the study findings the use of digital tools can be considered an alternative and cost-effective smoking cessation intervention as compared to traditional smoking cessation interventions.