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World Journal of Clinical Cases Mar 2024The role of primary-level medical pharmacists in medical institutions in China is limited; therefore, it is necessary to explore the role of pharmacists in the process...
BACKGROUND
The role of primary-level medical pharmacists in medical institutions in China is limited; therefore, it is necessary to explore the role of pharmacists in the process of drug treatment.
CASE SUMMARY
A Chinese pharmacist participated in the complete treatment of a patient with a duodenal ulcer. The rationale for drug treatment was evaluated, and adjustments were made to the antacid and anti-infective regimen, as well as the dose and frequency of administration. Body temperature, routine blood examination, and adverse drug reactions were strictly monitored. During treatment, the pharmacist recommended anti-infective therapy with ampicillin-sulbactam, which effectively controlled the infection. Additionally, the pharmacist suggested changing famotidine to lansoprazole for acid suppression and gastroprotective treatment, combined with Chinese patent medicine such as Kangfuxin Liquid. This is the first case report of a pharmacist in primary-level medical institutions adjusting drug use for patients with duodenal ulcer and pulmonary infection.
CONCLUSION
A pharmacist participated in the treatment process, provided individualized medication adjustment, and achieved good clinical results.
PubMed: 38576803
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i8.1530 -
Behavioural Neurology 2024Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling disease characterized by distressing obsessions and repetitive compulsions. The etiology of OCD is poorly known, and...
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling disease characterized by distressing obsessions and repetitive compulsions. The etiology of OCD is poorly known, and mouse modeling allows to clarify the genetic and neurochemical basis of this disorder and to investigate potential treatments. This study evaluates the impact of the 5-HT1B agonist RU24969 on the induction of OCD-like behaviours in female BALB/c mice ( = 30), distributed across five groups receiving varying doses of RU24969. Behavioural assessments, including marble test, tail suspension test, sucrose preference test, forced swim test, and nestlet shredding test, were conducted. Gene expression and protein quantitation of Gabra1 and serotonin transporter in mouse brain were also performed. Marble-burying behaviour increased significantly at high doses of RU24969 (15-20 mg/kg). The forced swimming test consistently showed elevated values at the same high concentrations, compared to the control. Altered reward-seeking behaviour was indicated by the sucrose preference test, notably at 15 and 20 mg/kg doses of RU24969. Nestlet shredding results did not show statistical significance among the tested animal groups. Gene expression analysis revealed reduced Gabra1 expression with increasing doses of RU, while serotonin transporter was not related to varying doses of RU24969. Western blotting corroborated these trends. The results underscore complex interactions between the serotonin system, GABAergic signaling, and OCD-relevant behaviours and suggest the use of intraperitoneal injection of 15 mg/kg of RU24969 to induce OCD-like behaviour in BALB/c mouse models.
Topics: Female; Mice; Animals; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists; Calcium Carbonate; Sucrose
PubMed: 38566972
DOI: 10.1155/2024/4504858 -
The Medical Journal of Malaysia Mar 2024Bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) particles gained attention in preclinical research especially in medical imaging. Bismuth oxide with its long circulation time is an alternative to...
INTRODUCTION
Bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) particles gained attention in preclinical research especially in medical imaging. Bismuth oxide with its long circulation time is an alternative to the current iodine contrast media which directly possesses high X-ray attenuation coefficient. Exploration of bismuth compound is hampered owing to challenges in synthesizing control for in vivo stability.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study aimed are to characterize Bi2O3 particles synthesized at 60, 90 and 120 °C via hydrothermal method and investigated cytotoxicity of cell viability assay, cell morphology analysis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay and expression of ER stress genes by real-time PCR.
RESULTS
Results indicated that the size of rod-shaped Bi2O3 particles increased with rising synthesizing temperatures. The cytotoxicity of Bi2O3 particles in Chang liver cells was size-dependent. Bigger-sized Bi2O3 particles resulted in lesser toxicity effects. mRNA expressions of GRP78 and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) were down-regulated in all treated Chang liver cells due to the increasing size of Bi2O3 particles. Bi2O3 particles synthesized at 120 °C was found to be less toxic than iodine.
CONCLUSION
Data suggested that the response of Chang liver cells to Bi2O3 particle cytotoxicity has a significant relationship with its reaction temperatures. This outcome is important in hazard assessment of Bi2O3 particles as a new contrast media and provides better understanding in synthesizing control to enhance its biocompatibility.
Topics: Humans; Bismuth; Contrast Media; Temperature; Iodine
PubMed: 38555879
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024China leads the world in freshwater pearl production, an industry in which the triangle sail mussel () plays a pivotal role. In this paper, we report a high-quality...
China leads the world in freshwater pearl production, an industry in which the triangle sail mussel () plays a pivotal role. In this paper, we report a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of with a size of 2.90 Gb-the largest yet reported among bivalves-and 89.92% anchorage onto 19 linkage groups. The assembled genome has 37,696 protein-coding genes and 50.86% repeat elements. A comparative genomic analysis revealed expansions of 752 gene families, mostly associated with biomineralization, and 237 genes under strong positive selection. Notably, the gene family exhibited gene family expansion and positive selection simultaneously, and it also exhibited multiple high expressions after mantle implantation by transcriptome analysis. Furthermore, RNA silencing and an in vitro calcium carbonate crystallization assay highlighted the pivotal role played by one fibrillin gene in calcium carbonate deposition and aragonite transformation. This study provides a valuable genomic resource and offers new insights into the mechanism of pearl biomineralization.
Topics: Animals; Biomineralization; Bivalvia; Unionidae; Calcium Carbonate; Fresh Water; Fibrillins
PubMed: 38542120
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063146 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2024Agro-waste is the outcome of the under-utilization of bioresources and a lack of knowledge to re-use this waste in proper ways or a circular economy approach. In the...
Agro-waste is the outcome of the under-utilization of bioresources and a lack of knowledge to re-use this waste in proper ways or a circular economy approach. In the Indian medicinal system, the root of Cyperus scariosus (CS) is used at a large scale due to their vital medicinal properties. Unfortunately, the aerial part of CS is treated as agro-waste and is an under-utilized bioresource. Due to a lack of knowledge, CS is treated as a weed. This present study is the first ever attempt to explore CS leaves as medicinally and a nutrient rich source. To determine the food and nutritional values of the neglected part of Cyperus scariosus R.Br. (CS), i.e. CS leaves, phytochemicals and metal ions of CS were quantified by newly developed HPLC and ICPOES-based methods. The content of the phytochemicals observed in HPLC analysis for caffeic acid, catechin, epicatechin, trans-p-coumaric acid, and trans-ferulic acid was 10.51, 276.15, 279.09, 70.53, and 36.83 µg/g, respectively. In GC-MS/MS analysis, fatty acids including linolenic acid, phytol, palmitic acid, etc. were identified. In ICPOES analysis, the significant content of Na, K, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn was observed. The TPC and TFC of the CS leaves was 17.933 mg GAE eq./g and 130.767 mg QCE eq./g along with an IC value of 2.78 mg/mL in the DPPH assay and better antacid activity was measured than the standard (CaCO). The methanolic extract of CS leaves showed anti-microbial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (15 ± 2 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12 ± 2 mm) and Escherichia coli (10 ± 2 mm). In silico studies confirmed the in vitro results obtained from the antioxidant, antiacid, and anti-microbial studies. In addition, in silico studies revealed the anti-cancerous and anti-inflammatory potential of the CS leaves. This study, thus, demonstrated the medicinal significance of the under-utilized part of CS and the conversion of agro-waste into mankind activity as a pharmaceutical potent material. Consequently, the present study highlighted that CS leaves have medicinal importance with good nutritional utility and have a large potential in the pharmaceutical industry along with improving bio-valorization and the environment.
Topics: Cyperus; Plant Extracts; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Antioxidants; Phytochemicals; Plant Leaves
PubMed: 38538715
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58041-7 -
The Science of the Total Environment May 2024Ecosystems that offer carbon sequestration by leaching bicarbonate to groundwater are valuable natural capital. One region that may offer this service is the west coast...
Ecosystems that offer carbon sequestration by leaching bicarbonate to groundwater are valuable natural capital. One region that may offer this service is the west coast of South Africa. Over 20 % is covered by soil mounds ("heuweltjies") up to 40 m diameter, 2 m high, inhabited by the southern harvester termite Microhodotermes viator and enriched in soil organic and inorganic carbon and soluble minerals. We aimed to generate radiogenic and stable isotope data for soils and groundwater in a region where these data are absent, to 1) verify the atmosphere-soil-groundwater link, and 2) resolve the timing and pattern of calcite dissolution and water infiltration in the landscape. Results show that soil and groundwater sulfate have the same marine aerosol source. Episodic calcite dissolution in mound centers, which increased during periods of global cooling, has been set against background input of marine aerosols since before the Last Glacial according to radiocarbon (C) ages. Our data push back soil organic carbon C ages of inhabited termite mounds to 13-19 ka (kiloannum, thousand years before present), nest carbonate C ages to 33 ka, and mound soil carbonate C ages to 34 ka, making these the oldest active termite features ever dated. These ages are consistent with soil organic carbon and carbonate C ages of regional, non-mound, coastal petrocalcic horizons formed by accumulation of carbonate leached from their overlying aeolian dune fields. Harvesting activities of termites inject younger organic material around nests >1 m deep, leading to continuous renewal of important soil carbon reservoirs at depth. Termite bioturbation increases the system's ability to dissolve carbonate. The central, bioturbated part of the mounds have greater infiltration depths and greater calcite dissolution, whereas surrounding soils experienced more surface runoff. Calcareous termite mounds offer a mechanism to sequester CO through dissolution and leaching of soil carbonate-bicarbonate to groundwater.
Topics: Animals; Ecosystem; Soil; Carbon; Isoptera; Bicarbonates; South Africa; Carbonates; Calcium Carbonate
PubMed: 38537830
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171760 -
Journal of Cellular and Molecular... Apr 2024Liver cirrhosis is a silent disease in humans and is experimentally induced by many drugs and toxins as thioacetamide (TAA) in particular, which is the typical model for...
Liver cirrhosis is a silent disease in humans and is experimentally induced by many drugs and toxins as thioacetamide (TAA) in particular, which is the typical model for experimental induction of hepatic fibrosis. Thus, the objective of the present study was to elucidate the possible protective effects of lactéol® forte (LF) and quercetin dihydrate (QD) against TAA-induced hepatic damage in male albino rats. Induction of hepatotoxicity was performed by TAA injection (200 mg/kg I/P, twice/ week) in rats. LF (1 × 10 CFU/rat 5 times/week) and QD (50 mg/kg 5 times/week) treated groups were administered concurrently with TAA injection (200 mg/kg I/P, twice/ week). The experimental treatments were conducted for 12 weeks. Hepatotoxicity was evaluated biochemically by measuring alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the serum and histopathologically with the scoring of histopathological changes besides histochemical assessment of collagen by Masson's trichrome and immunohistochemical analysis for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Ki67 and caspase-3 expression in liver sections. Our results indicated that LF and QD attenuated some biochemical changes and histochemical markers in TAA-mediated hepatotoxicity in rats by amelioration of biochemical markers and collagen, α-SMA, Ki67 and caspase3 Immunoexpression. Additionally, LF and QD supplementation downregulated the proliferative, necrotic, fibroblastic changes, eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions, hyaline globules and Mallory-like bodies that were detected histopathologically in the TAA group. In conclusion, LF showed better hepatic protection than QD against TAA-induced hepatotoxicity in rats by inhibiting inflammatory reactions with the improvement of some serum hepatic transaminases, histopathological picture and immunohistochemical markers.
Topics: Humans; Rats; Male; Animals; Quercetin; Thioacetamide; Ki-67 Antigen; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver; Flavonoids; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Collagen; Oxidative Stress; Calcium Carbonate; Drug Combinations; Lactose
PubMed: 38534093
DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18196 -
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces May 2024Biodegradable electrospun bone repair materials are effective means to treat bone defects. However, because the electrospun substrates are mostly organic polymer...
Biodegradable electrospun bone repair materials are effective means to treat bone defects. However, because the electrospun substrates are mostly organic polymer materials, there is a lack of real-time and intuitive monitoring methods for their degradation in vivo. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop in vivo traced electrospun bone repair materials for postoperative observation of their degradation. In this research, polycaprolactone/up-conversion nanoparticles/magnesium oxide (PCL/UCNPs/MgO) composite scaffolds were prepared by electrospun based on the luminescence characteristics of up-conversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) under near infrared excitation and the osteogenic ability of MgO. The in vivo and in vitro degradation results showed that with the increase of time, the electrospun scaffolds gradually degraded and its luminescence intensity decreased. The addition of UCNPs can effectively monitor the degradation of the scaffolds. In addition, the prepared electrospun scaffolds had great biocompatibility, among which PCL-1%UCNPs-1%MgO (P1U1M) electrospun scaffolds had obvious effect on promoting osteogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic osteoblasts cells (MC3T3-E1) in vitro. In conclusion, P1U1M electrospun scaffolds have the potential to induce bone regeneration at bone defect sites, and can monitor the degradation of electrospun scaffolds. It may be a potential candidate material for bone regeneration in defect area.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Tissue Scaffolds; Osteogenesis; Tissue Engineering; Magnesium Oxide; Bone Regeneration; Polyesters
PubMed: 38520951
DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.113860 -
PloS One 2024Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is an environmentally friendly technology that improves soil permeability resistance through biocementation....
Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is an environmentally friendly technology that improves soil permeability resistance through biocementation. In this study, 2D microscopic analysis and 3D volume reconstruction were performed on river sand after 24 cycles of bio-treatment based on stacked images and computed tomography (CT) scanning data, respectively, to extract biocementation patterns between particles. Based on the mutual validation findings of the two techniques, three patterns in the biocemented sand were identified as G-C-G, G-C, and G-G. Specifically, 2D microscopic analysis showed that G-C-G featured multi-particle encapsulation and bridging, with a pore filling ratio of 81.2%; G-C was characterized by locally coated particle layers, with a pore filling ratio of 19.7%; and the G-G was marked by sporadic filling of interparticle pores, with a pore filling ratio of 11.7%. G-C-G had the best cementation effect and permeability resistance (effective sealing rate of 68.5%), whereas G-C (effective sealing rate of 2.4%) had a relatively minor contribution to pore-filling and flow sealing. 3D volume reconstruction showed that G-C-G had the highest pore filling rate, followed by G-G and G-C. The average filling ratios of area and volume for G-C-G were 83.979% and 77.257%, respectively; for G-G 20.360% and 23.600%; and for G-C 11.545% and 11.250%. The analysis of the representative element volume (REV) was conducted, and the feasibility and reliability of the micro-scale pattern extraction results were confirmed to guide the analysis of macro-scale characteristics. The exploration of the effectiveness of cementation patterns in fluid sealing provides valuable insights into effective biocementation at the pore scale of porous media, which may inspire future research.
Topics: Sand; Calcium Carbonate; Cementation; Reproducibility of Results; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Chemical Precipitation
PubMed: 38512878
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296437 -
Journal of Dentistry May 2024Evaluation of the two-body wear of lithium-silicate ceramics against different antagonists compared to a direct resin composite and human teeth. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVES
Evaluation of the two-body wear of lithium-silicate ceramics against different antagonists compared to a direct resin composite and human teeth.
METHODS
Initial LiSi Block [LISI], IPS e.max CAD [EMA], and CEREC Tessera [TESE] were investigated and compared with direct resin composite [FILL] and human teeth [tooth]. As antagonists were used: steatite, ceramic, and human enamel. The control group tooth was only tested with enamel antagonist. The combinations underwent thermomechanical aging using a chewing simulator. Material losses were calculated using GOM-analysis software. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Kruskal-Wallis H, Mann-Whitney-U-test with Bonferroni correction and Spearman-rho correlation were calculated. A fractographic analysis was performed.
RESULTS
Within TESE, enamel antagonists led to lower restoration losses than steatite and ceramic antagonists. Within FILL, enamel and steatite antagonists caused lower material losses compared to ceramic antagonists. Against steatite antagonists, LISI showed lowest material losses. Against ceramic antagonists, the use of LISI led to lower material losses compared to FILL. Against tooth antagonists, TESE showed lower material losses than tooth and FILL and LISI lower than FILL. Within LISI, steatite antagonists showed lower material losses on the antagonist than ceramic. Within EMA, steatite antagonists showed higher material losses than ceramic ones. Within ceramic antagonists, LISI restoration material showed lower material losses than FILL and EMA.
CONCLUSIONS
Regardless of the antagonist material, the material losses of LISI and EMA were comparable. However, the abrasion resistance of LISI tended to be higher than EMA.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
LISI is a fully crystallized lithium-silicate ceramic and no longer needs to be processed after milling. In addition, the abrasion resistance is very good, regardless of the antagonist material chosen.
Topics: Humans; Composite Resins; Dental Porcelain; Materials Testing; Dental Enamel; Ceramics; Dental Materials; Silicates; Surface Properties; Dental Restoration Wear; Computer-Aided Design; Lithium; Magnesium Oxide; Silicon Dioxide
PubMed: 38508442
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.104952