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Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a heterogeneous and complex group of biochemical compounds, resulting from nonenzymatic glycation and oxidation of protein, nucleic acids, and lipids. To assess sRAGE and CIMT in patients with T1DM and their relation to glycemic control and diabetic vascular complications. This study included 60 patients with mean age of 14.4±3.4years. They were subdivided into complicated and non complicated groups according to the presence of microvascular complications. Thirty age and sex matched controls were included. Patients with disease duration less than 5years, connective tissue disease, liver dysfunction, or apparent cardiovascular disease and those on lipid lowering agents were excluded. Laboratory investigations included; HbA1c%, urinary albumin excretion (UAE), fasting lipid profile and sRAGE. Mean CIMT was measured by dopplex ultrasound. Patients had higher sRAGE (1765.0±451.0pg/ml) (p<0.001) especially the non complicated group (p=0.18). It was directly correlated to HDL (r=0.3, p=0.012). Patients had increased CIMT (0.57±0.14mm) (p<0.001) with 13.3% having carotid wall abnormalities. CIMT was directly correlated to age, weight, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, UAE, cholesterol and LDL (p<0.05) and inversely correlated to HDL (p<0.05). Neither CIMT nor sRAGE were correlated to glycemic control or disease duration. Patients with T1DM are at risk of increased CIMT with a concomitant increase in sRAGE which may be a therapeutic target for the prevention of diabetic vascular complications.

The specific activity of U-238 and Th-232, as well as K-40 radionuclides, in twenty-nine investigated medicinal herbs used in Egypt has been measured using a high-purity germanium (HP Ge) detector. The measured values ranged from the BDL to 20.71 ± 1.52 with a mean of 7.25 ± 0.54 (Bq kg−1) for uranium-238, from the BDL to 29.35 ± 1.33 with a mean of 7.78 ± 0.633 (Bq kg−1) for thorium-232, and from 172 ± 5.85 to 1181.2 ± 25.5 with a mean of 471.4 ± 11.33 (Bq kg−1) for potassium-40. Individual herbs with the highest activity levels were found to be 20.71 ± 1.52 (Bq kg−1) for uranium-238 (H4, Thyme herb), 29.35 ± 1.33 (Bq kg−1) for thorium-232 (H20, Cinnamon), and 1181.2 ± 25.5 (Bq kg−1) for potassium-40 (H24, Worm-wood). (AACED) Ingestion-related effective doses over the course of a year of uranium-238 and thorium-232, as well as potassium-40 estimated from measured activity concentrations, are 0.002304 ± 0.00009 (minimum), 0.50869 ± 0.0002 (maximum), and 0.0373 ± 0.0004 (average)(mSv/yr). Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), absorbed gamma dose rate (Doutdoor, Dindoor), gamma representative level index (I), annual effective dose (AEDtotal), external and internal hazard index (Hex, Hin), and excess lifetime cancer risk were determined in medicinal plants (ELCR). The radiological hazards assessment revealed that the investigated plant species have natural radioactivity levels that are well within the internationally recommended limit. This is the first time that the natural radioactivity of therapeutic plants has been measured in Egypt. In addition, no artificial radionuclide (for example, 137Cs) was discovered in any of the samples. Therefore, the current findings are intended to serve as the foundation for establishing a standard safety and guideline for using these therapeutic plants in Egypt.

Infants who are exclusively breastfed in the first six months of age receive adequate nutrients, achieving optimal immune protection and growth. In addition to the known nutritional components of human breast milk (HBM), i.e., water, carbohydrates, fats and proteins, it is also a rich source of microRNAs, which impact epigenetic mechanisms. This comprehensive work presents an up-to-date overview of the immunomodulatory constituents of HBM, highlighting its content of circulating microRNAs. The epigenetic effects of HBM are discussed, especially those regulated by miRNAs. HBM contains more than 1400 microRNAs. The majority of these microRNAs originate from the lactating gland and are based on the remodeling of cells in the gland during breastfeeding. These miRNAs can affect epigenetic patterns by several mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and RNA regulation, which could ultimately result in alterations in gene expressions. Therefore, the unique microRNA profile of HBM, including exosomal microRNAs, is implicated in the regulation of the genes responsible for a variety of immunological and physiological functions, such as FTO, INS, IGF1, NRF2, GLUT1 and FOXP3 genes. Hence, studying the HBM miRNA composition is important for improving the nutritional approaches for pregnancy and infant’s early life and preventing diseases that could occur in the future. Interestingly, the composition of miRNAs in HBM is affected by multiple factors, including diet, environmental and genetic factors.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to estimate the association of smoking with the direct medical expenditures for chronic disease management in north of Jordan.Design, setting and participantsRetrospective cohort study using hospital database. Patients who were diagnosed with at least one chronic disease,were aged 18 years or older and had attended King Abdullah University Hospital for disease management and procedures from 1 July 2015 through 30 June 2016 were included in the study.Main outcome measuresThe outcome of interest was the direct medical expenditures for chronic disease management according to smoking status.ResultsData were collected from 845 patients having at least one chronic disease (mean age of 61±10.7 years). Smokers formed 22% of total patients. The back transformed mean total expenditure per patient of smokers, former smokers and non-smokers was 875 JD, 928 JD and 774 JD, respectively. Drugs were the most expensive healthcare resource used, accounting for 43% of total expenditure, followed by inpatient-related and outpatient-related services (19%). Smokers and former smokers were associated with the highest inpatient expenditures and inpatient-related and outpatient-related services expenditures. However, smokers were associated with the lowest outpatient and medication expenditures.ConclusionsSmokers and former smokers presented with higher statistically significant inpatient-related and outpatient-related services expenditures and higher transformed mean total expenditures compared to non-smokers; highlighting this economic burden is useful for promoting tobacco control policies.

In the brain, propionic acid (PA) can cross cell membranes and accumulate within cells, leading to intracellular acidification, which may alter neurotransmitter release (NT), communication between neurons, and behavior. Such elevation in levels of PA constitutes a neurodevelopmental metabolic disorder called propionic acidemia, which could clinically manifest as autism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of different fractions of bee pollen (BP) on PA‐induced autism in rats, and to evaluate their effects on the expression of liver and renal biomarkers. Groups of rats received treatments of different fractions of BP at a dose of 250 mg/kg of body weight/day for a period of 1 month. Normal control group I and group II were orally administered with phosphate‐buffered saline and propionic acid, respectively, for 3 days. BP contains various health‐promoting phenolic components. Different fractions of BP administered pre‐ and post‐treatment with PA showed significant reduction in the levels of liver and renal biomarkers (p < .05). Also, a significant enhancement in the levels of glutathione S‐transferase (GST), catalase CAT), and ascorbic acid (VIT C) was observed. Supplementation with BP significantly reduced biochemical changes in the liver, kidneys, and brain of rats with PA‐induced toxicity. It exhibited protective effects against oxidative damage and reactive oxygen species produced by PA‐induced adverse reactions in rats. Taken together, our study shows that BP possesses protective effects in PA‐induced liver and kidney damage. Bee pollen is a mixture of flower pollen, nectar, honey, wax, enzymes, and bee secretions. Foraging honey bees collect pollen from plants and transport it to the beehive, where it is stored and used as food for the colony. The present study demonstrates the protective effect of bee pollen to minimize liver, kidney, and brain insufficiencies associated with propionic acid‐induced autism in rat model. Bee pollen contains high percentage of flavonoid and flavonoid glycoside, suggesting that these compounds might be responsible for the protective effects against PA‐induced hepatorenal and brain injuries as well as antioxidant effects.

Tomato wilt disease, caused by soil-borne pathogens such as Fusarium oxysporum , is a significant threat to tomato production worldwide, resulting in substantial crop losses. The increasing resistance of pathogens to chemical fungicides has shifted attention towards sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives. Within this context, Bacillus species have emerged as promising natural biocontrol agents due to their ability to inhibit pathogenic growth. Ten isolates were obtained from the rhizosphere of tomato plants, with isolates 1, 2, and 4 showing the highest effectiveness in reducing the pathogen (78.5, 71 and 65% respectively). The three isolates were identified as Bacillus velezensis , B. amyloliquefaciens , and B. subtilis . When these isolates were formulated and applied to tomato plants they reduced the disease severity under greenhouse conditions as well as increased the fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots. Employing Bacillus sp. as a biocontrol and growth-promoting agent represents a sustainable, eco-friendly strategy for managing tomato wilt disease, potentially reducing dependence on chemical pesticides and improving agricultural productivity.

The potential of antagonistic bacteria isolated from tomato rhizosphere soils of Oman in the control of damping-off disease of tomato was investigated. A total of 27 bacterial isolates were isolated from 18 soil samples collected from the rhizosphere of tomato from Al-Batinah South, Al-Sharqia North and Muscat Governorate. These bacterial isolates were tested in vitro for their antagonistic activity against Pythium aphanidermatum using a dual culture technique. Of the 27 bacterial isolates tested, four isolates designated D1/3, D1/8, D1/17 and D1/18 were effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of P. aphanidermatum, by inducing an inhibition zone of 32.3, 10.3, 6.3 and 9.9 mm, respectively. Compatibility tests using a cross-streak assay on nutrient agar medium indicated that these four bacterial isolates were compatible with one another. The bacterial isolates were identified as Klebsiella oxytoca (D1/3), Exiguobacterium indicum (D1/8) and Bacillus cereus (D1/17 and D1/18), on the basis of the rRNA gene sequences. Among the isolates tested for in vitro plant growth promoting activity, D1/8 induced the maximum shoot length and seedling vigor. The potential of bacterial antagonists either individually or in combination in the control of damping-off disease of tomato was tested under greenhouse conditions. Among the biocontrol treatments, the combined application of D1/8 and D1/17 was the most effective, where damping-off incidence was reduced by 27 % relative to the infected control. These bacterial antagonists appear to be potential candidates to be developed as bio-inoculants for the ecofriendly management of damping-off of tomato under desert farming ecosystem.

The role of the [Na 2 O]/[CuO] ratio in two glass groups with a chemical formula of (50 − y/2)Na 2 O–yCuO–(50 − y/2) P 2 O 5 (y = 0.0–40 mol%) coded as Line I and (50 − y)Na 2 O–yCuO–50P 2 O 5 (y = 0.0–50 mol%) coded as Line II on physical and gamma-ray attenuation properties have been deeply investigated. The density (ρ) varied from 2.471 to 3.262 g/cm 3 and from 2.471 to 3.113 g/cm 3 for Line I and Line II glasses, respectively. The molar volume (V m ) values varied from 41.280 to 28.526 cm 3 /mol and from 41.280 to 35.609 cm 3 /mol for Line I and Line II glasses, respectively. The oxygen molar volume (OMV) reduced from 13.761 to12.972 cm 3 /mol and from 13.761 to 11.873 cm 3 /mol, while the oxygen packing density (OPD) improved from 72.674 to 77.124 and from 72.674 to 84.253 g.atom/l for Line I and Line II glasses. The mass and linear attenuation coefficients (MAC and LAC) values corresponding to the Line II glass is slightly lower than their counterpart of the Line I. The effective atomic numbers (Z eff ) and electron density (N eff ) for glasses in Line I was lower than that for those in Line II. Exposure (EBF) and energy absorption (EABF) buildup factors have the same trend in both glass groups. The findings support the capability to utilize the examined glasses as radiation shielding materials.

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP) are rare, inherited neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental disorders that mainly present with lower limb spasticity and muscle weakness due to motor neuron dysfunction. Whole genome sequencing identified bi-allelic truncating variants in AMFR , encoding a RING-H2 finger E3 ubiquitin ligase anchored at the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), in two previously genetically unexplained HSP-affected siblings. Subsequently, international collaboration recognized additional HSP-affected individuals with similar bi-allelic truncating AMFR variants, resulting in a cohort of 20 individuals from 8 unrelated, consanguineous families. Variants segregated with a phenotype of mainly pure but also complex HSP consisting of global developmental delay, mild intellectual disability, motor dysfunction, and progressive spasticity. Patient-derived fibroblasts, neural stem cells (NSCs), and in vivo zebrafish modeling were used to investigate pathomechanisms, including initial preclinical therapy assessment. The absence of AMFR disturbs lipid homeostasis, causing lipid droplet accumulation in NSCs and patient-derived fibroblasts which is rescued upon AMFR re-expression. Electron microscopy indicates ER morphology alterations in the absence of AMFR. Similar findings are seen in amfra-/- zebrafish larvae, in addition to altered touch-evoked escape response and defects in motor neuron branching, phenocopying the HSP observed in patients. Interestingly, administration of FDA-approved statins improves touch-evoked escape response and motor neuron branching defects in amfra-/- zebrafish larvae, suggesting potential therapeutic implications. Our genetic and functional studies identify bi-allelic truncating variants in AMFR as a cause of a novel autosomal recessive HSP by altering lipid metabolism, which may potentially be therapeutically modulated using precision medicine with statins.