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Background: Calprotectin (CPL) is a marker of neutrophil-induced inflammation. Objective: Assess whether salivary CPL could be a useful marker of chronic inflammation. Methods: All relevant data were collected about patients who consulted from 2024 October 20th to December 20th and who had a previous medical history of periodontitis (PO).Patients were classified according to the level of salivary CPL. The CPL threshold for active PO and/or Fusobacterium nucleatum + Porphyromonas gingivalis (Fn+Pg) on dental collets was determined. Patients with PO remission, without Fn+Pg on dental collets and below the identified threshold were attributed to group A. Other patients were attributed to group B. Both groups were compared

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Background: This study examined the rising incidence and prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) across age, gender, and regions in Himachal Pradesh to inform targeted public health strategies. Methods: CKD incidence data were collected from various age groups, gender, and blocks. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, were used to assess the significance of differences in CKD case distribution by age, gender, temporal and region. Results: The significant spatial, temporal, gender, and age-related variations in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) prevalence across Himachal Pradesh (2014–2023), with Shimla showing the highest prevalence. CKD disproportionately affects male (60.2%) Mashobra (20.4%) reports the highest CKD cases, followed by Theog (12.3%), and Kupvi (2.4%) the lowest. Significant gender differences across blocks are confirmed (χ² = 26.436, p < .01). Chi-square analysis (χ² = 18.423, p < .05) revealed significant gender disparities in CKD cases from 2014 to 2023, with peaks in 2023 (16.9%) and a low in 2017 (6%). Chisquare analysis (χ² = 41.076, p < .000) showed a significant age-gender association in CKD, with the highest number of cases in 57–67 years (637) and lowest in <17 years (12). Chi-square analysis (χ² = 124.625, p < .000) revealed significant age-year associations in CKD cases, with peaks in 2023 (441 cases), predominantly among 57–67 years (117 cases)

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The Plasmodium falciparum T-cell immunomodulatory protein homolog, PfTIP, is a novel invasion-related protein that is thought to play additional roles in modulating host immune responses to the infection. We examined the cellular localiza tion and secretion patterns of PfTIP in laboratory cultured Plasmodium falciparum parasites and in naturally infected indivi duals, and investigated the association between plasma levels of the protein and host immune responses

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Background: The UN-Habitat reported that about 65% of Nigeria's urban population lives in slums, while millions are with out access to basic amenities including clean water, sanitation, and adequate housing. The impact of slum environments on specific diseases has also been documented, highlighting a need to review the causes in a single study and provide a compre hensive understanding of current issues.

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The existence of the fighting bull, exploited in the poor pastures in the interior of Terceira Island, allowed the preservation of the largest area of endemic a 20-million-year-old subtropical rainforest called Laurissilva [1]. The fighting bull is the symbol of the preservation carried out by some of these men, the cattle farmers [2]. The appearance of the first cattle in the Azores oc curred in the 15th century, in line with the discovery and settlement by the Portuguese [3]. In addition to being an important source of protein for emerging populations, interaction with cattle also took on a playful nature, taking advantage of the aggres siveness of these cattle raised in the interior of the islands, particularly on Terceira Island [4]. The aggressive cattle, which are the precursors of the Brava dos Açores cattle population, had and continue to play an important economic and socio-cultural role, particularly in maintaining the tradition of rope bullfight, called “Tourada à Corda”, unique in the country and which is practically dispersed across 5 of the 9 islands from the Azores [5].

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Objective: In this study, we aim to share the outcomes of our ablation procedures conducted for childhood arrhythmias through the coronary venous sinus. Our experience highlights the effectiveness and potential of this approach in managing pediatric arrhythmias. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective cohort study. Of the 2450 ablations performed in our center, 52 were carried out using the coronary venous system in pediatric patients between January 2014 and August 2024. Fifty-two consecutive pa tients with accessory pathways, atrial and ventricular tachycardia were included, and ablation through the coronary venous system was performed using EnSite® precison system

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Anti-voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC) complex antibodies are associated with a spectrum of neurological disorders involving both the peripheral and central nervous systems. Isaacs’ syndrome predominantly manifests with peripheral symp toms such as neuromyotonia due to peripheral nerve hyperexcitability. In contrast, Morvan syndrome encompasses a com bination of neuromyotonia, encephalopathy, and autonomic dysfunction. Anti-VGKC complex antibody disorders are of ten paraneoplastic, with thymoma detected in approximately one-third of cases. Thymectomy is the standard treatment in such cases. We present the case of a 49-year-old female who experienced muscle spasms and twitches in all four extremities for three years. Electromyography revealed neuromyotonia. Serum analysis confirmed the presence of anti-VGKC complex antibodies, establishing the diagnosis of Isaacs’ syndrome. Further investigation uncovered a type B3 thymoma, and the pa tient subsequently underwent thymectomy. Unexpectedly, one week after thymectomy, the patient developed Morvan syn drome, presenting with new-onset encephalopathy and autonomic dysfunction. These symptoms were successfully man aged with plasmapheresis. This case is noteworthy as it highlights a potential link between thymectomy and the emergence of Morvan syndrome, suggesting that thymectomy may exacerbate or trigger this condition in certain patients. While the un derlying mechanism remains unclear, this observation underscores the importance of careful patient selection, thorough preoperative counseling, and vigilant postoperative monitoring. To provide further context, we include a comprehensive lit erature review of studies reporting the development of Morvan syndrome following thymectomy. This analysis aims to en hance understanding of the potential risks and outcomes associated with thymectomy in the context of anti-VGKC complex antibody disorders.

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Sodium metabisulfite is a synthetic compound which comes under group of sulfur-based food additives. As a food additive they are used as preservative, antioxidant, dough conditioner, and colour stabilizer. They are used in wide varieties of foods like dried fruits, vegetables, sea foods, juices, and alcoholic beverages. Sulfur dioxide is the active compound which plays a major role as an antimicrobial food additive. Sulfite intake has been related with many adverse health effects such as vitamin deficiency, allergies, gut microbiota dysbiosis. Countries have taken measure to regulate the use of sulfur containing food ad ditives and have legislations that prohibited the use of additive in meats. This review discusses the benefits of sodium metabi sulfite, its role in food preservation, with an emphasis on its health risks in animals and humans.

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Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN) has been accomplished to evaluate the effect of the different operating parameters, namely the hourly space velocity, the reaction temperature, and [C02: CH4] mole ratio on the conversion and formation of the different components involved in the dry reforming of methane over Ni/MgO catalyst. A three-layered Feed Forward Neural Network in conjugation with the Radial Basis Function, and an optimized topology of 3:10:1 (input neurons: hidden neurons: output neurons) has been developed, trained, and tested. Moreover, the RBFNN has been employed to elucidate such effects in the three and two dimensions and to display the location of the predicted maxima. The results are compared to our previosuley pblished RSM results. The preeminence of ANN was indicated in the prediction capability demostrating the & F Ratio are 0.78 - 0.99 & 17.39- 231.09 for RSM method compared to 1.00 & 9.92E+29 - 1.30E+39 for ANN method beside lower values for error analysis terms. This is due to ANN capability to approximate the non-linearity between the input and output variables.

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The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, exhibits consider able geographical variability. Although studies have extensively documented VTE in low-altitude settings, the impact of high-altitude (HA) environments remains underexplored. This study aimed to fill this knowledge gap by examining the inci dence and risk factors for VTE in the HA of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, offering a unique perspective on how altitude influences VTE risk. In this retrospective analysis, we reviewed the medical records from the Tibet Autonomous Region Peo ple's Hospital between January 2018 and December 2023

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Background: Maternal steroid use carries a theoretical risk for neonatal adrenal insufficiency (AI). Most of neonatal units do not recommend short synacthen test (SST) to check AI in babies who were exposed to steroids in utero. Two local units in Yorkshire recommend SST based on certain criteria. One unit uses antenatal dose thresholds of 7.5 mg/day equivalent prednisolone for≥ 28 days while another uses 5 mg/day equivalent prednisolone for same duration as indication for SST.

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The real-life use of Phosphodiesterase type 5 Inhibitors (PDE5Is) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) might differ across Institutions and physicians. We performed the Optimizing Management of Erectile Dysfunction (OPTI.M.E.D.) sur vey to outline the real-life practice of ED management in Italy. The OPTI.M.E.D. Survey tested the hypothesis that the new formulation of sildenafil oral suspension may show higher patient satisfaction and better clinical outcomes compared to other PDE5 inhibitors. The Survey involved 59 Italian urologists/andrologists, with data from a total of 1,150 patients. In the first Step, a Webinar was held for the presentation of the survey, and the Physician Interview Form used in the survey was presented. In Step 2, the forms were completed and collected, and the data obtained were subsequently analyzed. In Step 3, a final Webinar was held, during which the results were presented by the Scientific Board to all participants. In 88.9% of patients already treated with PDE5Is, the previously used molecule/formulation was changed at the first visit, be cause of treatment ineffectiveness and/or because of poor tolerability or compliance. According to the physicians’ reports, sildenafil oral suspension was the most commonly prescribed drug at the first visit (75.9% OF CASES), both in naïve pa tients and in those previously taking other PDE5Is. The prescription of sildenafil oral suspension was also confirmed at the second visit (after 60-90 days) in 97.9% of patients. The OPTI.M.E.D. survey provided a "real-life" snapshot of the manage ment of ED patients seen in daily clinical practice in andrology and urology settings in Italy. According to the results of this survey, sildenafil oral suspension is associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction, also thanks to its peculiar formula tion, which facilitates dosage modulation and is characterized by convenience and discretion of use as it does not require wa ter to take it

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Objective：To observe the clinical effect of Acupuncture Cupping Bubbling Therapy in the treatment of breast cancer. Methods: 88 patients of breast cancer were divided into the Acupuncture Cupping Bubbling Therapy group of 46 cases and the traditional Acupuncture Cupping group of 42 cases at random, and the symptom-relieving, the tumor-disappearing, tu mor- lessening (surviving with tumors) and functional recovery were observed separately. Results: The total effective rate of Acupuncture Cupping Bubbling Therapy group was 100% and the excellently effective rate was 89.1%. But the total effective rate of Acupuncture Cupping Therapy group was 88.1% and the excellently effective rate was 42.9%. the difference of the ex cellently effective rates has extreme significance（P<0.01）. Conclusion: The Acupuncture Cupping Bubbling Therapy has significant clinical effect, which surpasses that of the traditional Acupuncture Cupping Therapy.

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To analyze the clinical effects of transverse tibial transfer technology, transverse tibial transfer combined with platelet-rich plasma therapy and conventional treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Thirty patients with diabetic foot ulcers from January 2021 to December 2023 were randomly divided into 3 groups

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Introduction: The assessment of physicians’ awareness levels in Sanandaj educational centers regarding ionizing radiation doses related to the use of chest CT scans during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial. This assessment can prevent unneces sary procedures. Additionally, it ensures that when necessary, these procedures are not overlooked. Through this approach, costs incurred by patients and insurance organizations due to unwarranted requests can be reduced.

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With this special issue of JMSN we are pleased to present significant contributions to a fascinating topic in the field of materials nanostructing, which is the anodization of valve metals. By this treatment porous oxides of controlled geometry can be grown on the respective metal surfaces. To date, aluminum (Al) has been used most often, as confirmed in this special issue where nine out of ten contributions deals with its anodization.

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The results are presented of obtaining anodic aluminum oxide with an ordered pore arrangement by employing two anodizing modes - galvanostatic mode and combined (galvanostatic + potentiostatic) mode, at high values of the current density and voltage. Use has been made of an oxalate electrolyte and a complex electrolyte comprising oxalic acid and phosphoric acid. Scanning electron microscopy has been used to investigate the surface morphology of the barrier and porous layers and to determine pore sizes and inter-pore distance.

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Self-organized anodic porous alumina films with hexagonal pore lattice have attracted a considerable attention for biological arrays and confinement of various organic probes dyes in solutions. A molecular structure with axial symmetry in bis-heterocyclic indole chains and conjugate system, such as cyanine fluorophore Cy3 dye, was investigated here with respect to its fluorescence when loaded in the anodic alumina pores.

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Two basic reactions occur during the anodizing of aluminum: 1) the aluminum is consumed and 2) an oxide grows. By accepting this statement as true, the anodizing process can be viewed as a corrosion process, and anodizing can be modeled using the Tafel Equation. Anodizing process parameters of electrolyte chemistry and concentration, temperature, aluminum substrate resistance and current density are presented as they relate to the Tafel Equation and how they impact the anodic aluminum oxide structure and properties. Understanding this relationship is consequent in making anodizing an engineering process, one that enables tuning the structure such that it yields distinct characteristics to fulfill design and application requirements.

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Human odor detection technologies have drawn attention due to the wide possibility of potential applications they open up in areas such as biometrics, criminal investigation and forensics, search for survivors under rubble, and security checkpoint screening. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has been the most successful and powerful analytical approach developed to date for human odor analysis, and hundreds of human odorants have been identified using this tool.

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The application of electronic-nose (E-nose) technologies in forensic science is a recent new development following a long history of progress in the development of diverse applications in the related biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. Data from forensic analyses must satisfy the needs and requirements of both the scientific and legal communities. The type of data collected from electronic-nose devices provides a means of identifying specific types of information about the chemical nature of evidentiary objects and samples under investigation using aroma signature profiles of complex gaseous mixtures containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from manufactured products and parts of the human body. E-nose analyses also provide useful qualitative information about the physicochemical characteristics and metabolic conditions of human subjects without the need for time-consuming analyses to identify all chemical components in human-derived volatile mixtures.

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Carbon nanotube (NT) based electronic vapor sensors were tested against synthetic sweat solutions, consisting of 13 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in saline, in order to probe the device ability to analyze and differentiate vapors derived from complex biological samples.

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The collection of human odor volatiles is of interest to forensic applications as a path to investigate canine scent discriminations in legal investigations. A study using a selected array of previously identified human odor compounds has been conducted to determine the retention and release capabilities of five (5) natural and synthetic fabric types, cotton (mercerized fabric and gauze matrix), polyester, rayon and wool.

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The anodization of aluminum foils having micrometer thickness is a common process and results in hexagonally self-ordered alumina membranes. However, anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes fabricated from nanometer-thin films present new challenges to the anodization process, since aluminum films adheres poorly on supporting substrates and the smoothness of the film is highly related to the kind of substrate.

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Anodisation of pure titanium has been carried out in sulphuric and in phosphoric acid solutions at potentials ranging from 50 to 150V. The SEM and AFM morphological analysis indicates that, within this potential range, oxidation in sulphuric acid solution produces better developed mesoporous oxide layers.

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We investigated a method for preparation of ordered nanopore arrays with the interpore distance of 60 nm by guided self-organization of anodic aluminum oxide with a prepatterned array of pits in the starting Al film.

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The design of an electrochemical reactor for the preparation of self-supported comparatively thin (up to 10 μm) and large area (up to 50 cm2) anodic alumina membranes is described allowing growth of porous alumina at high applied potential (up to 150 V) without burning.

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Vertical Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanowire arrays have been synthesized via two-step electroplating method into anodized aluminum oxide template. For deposition of CZTS nanowires, anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) was used as the growth mask for the growth of the nanowires. AAO templates with hole sizes of 70 nm in diameter were used in the experiments.

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Anodic aluminum oxide doped with vanadyl citrate chelate complex anions was formed by a two-step self-organized anodization in 2 wt. % sulfuric acid containing 0.04 M V2O5 and 0.08 M citric acid at voltage range 13-23 V, and at 0 and 15 oC. The combination of two temperatures and at least four voltages (depending on the applied temperature) was applied as the operating conditions of anodization.

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In this paper, we report on the synthesis of BaTiO3 nanowires via the anodic aluminum oxide template method. To fill in the precursors of BaTiO3 into anodic aluminum oxide templates, the vacuum and drop loading method developed in our previous study was used. Ba(CH3COO)2 (barium acetate) and C12H28O4Ti (tetraisopropyl orthotitanate) were used as Ba and Ti sources, respectively. Anodic aluminum oxide membranes with the through-hole diameter of ~200 nm were used as the template for BaTiO3 nanowires.

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