Value of Plasma Level of Endothelin-1 and Nitric Oxide in Diabetic Nephropathy

Endothelial dysfunction is the central pathophysiologic denominator for all microvascular complications of diabetes, including nephropathy. Abnormalities of endothelin-1 and nitric oxide (NO) modulate renal structure and function in diabetes. We study the role of endothelin-1 and NO in the diabetic kidney. This study includes a total of 60 type-2 diabetic patients and 20 healthy subjects as a control group (group 1). Diabetics were classified into three groups. Group 2 included 20 patients without microalbuminuria, group 3 included 20 patients with microalbuminuria, and group 4 included 20 patients with macroalbuminuria. All individuals were subjected to history taking, physical examination, urine analysis, HbA1C test, kidney function tests, abdominal ultrasonography, and evaluation of urinary albumin concentration, nitric oxide levels, and plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels. Our results showed an elevated plasma level of endothelin-1 of 4.09 ± 0.32, 5.04 ± 0.20, and 5.74 ± 0.11 pg/ml for group 2, 3, and 4, respectively, an elevated plasma level of nitric oxide in type-2 diabetic patients with early stages of diabetic nephropathy, and a decreased level in late stages of diabetic nephropathy of 40.08 ± 1.66, 46.11 ± 1.75, and 31.17 ± 2.16 μmol/l for group 2, 3, and 4, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between all groups and the control group regarding NO and ET-1 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The enhanced NO production may contribute to hyperfiltration in early diabetic nephropathy. ET-1 may have a role in microvascular damage in diabetics. Targeting the ET-1 system might be potentially beneficial in preventing and/or treating kidney disease in diabetics.     

Effect of Elevated Temperature on Rhyolitic Rocks’ Properties

The effect of high temperatures on rock’s thermophysical and mechanical properties is critical to the design of underground geotechnical applications. The current work investigates the impact of temperature on rhyolitic turf rock’s physical and mechanical properties. Intact cylindrical core rock samples were heated to different temperatures (200, 400, 600, and 800 °C). The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and elastic modulus of unheated and heated samples were determined as important mechanical properties. In addition, the effect of temperature on the physical properties of rhyolite rock (density, color, and absorption) was investigated in conjunction with its microstructural properties. The hardening of the rhyolitic rock samples was observed below 600 °C, at which point the UCS and elastic modulus decreased to 78.0% and 75.9%, respectively, at 800 °C. The results also show that heating does not significantly affect the density and volume of permeable pore space, but a color change can be observed at 400 °C and above. A microscopic analysis shows the change in microstructural properties of rhyolite rock after heating to 600 °C. Furthermore, the SEM observations of heated materials show structural particle displacements and microcracking, leading to apparent surface cracks.     

A comparative study of Cu-anchored 0D and 1D ZnO nanostructures for the reduction of organic pollutants in water

In this work, Cu NPs were loaded at a fixed percentage (5 wt%) on 1D, (1D + 0D) and 0D ZnO nanostructures to investigate the effect of the support morphology on the reduction of organic pollutants in water. The synthesized materials were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption–desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results reveal that the loading of Cu NPs decreases the optical band gap, and a slight change in the crystallite sizes increases the specific surface area value of the nanocomposites. The TEM images reveal that 1D ZnO has an average width of 44.7 nm and an average length of 211 nm, while 0D ZnO has an average diameter of 54.5 nm. The HR-TEM and XPS data confirm the loading of metallic Cu NPs on the surface of the ZnO nanostructures. The pure ZnO and nanocomposites were tested for 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction in the presence of NaBH₄ at room temperature. The obtained results show that pure ZnO nanostructures have no catalytic performance, while the nanocomposites showed good catalytic activities. The catalytic reduction efficiency of 4-NP was found to follow the order of Cu/0DZnO > Cu/(1D + 0D)ZnO > Cu/1DZnO. The complete reduction of 4-NP has been observed to be achievable within 60 s using the Cu/0DZnO nanocomposite, with a k_app value of 8.42 min⁻¹ and good recyclability of up to five cycles. This nanocomposite was then applied in the reduction of organic dyes in water; it was found that the reduction rate constants for the methylene blue, Congo red, and acriflavine hydrochloride dyes were 1.4 min⁻¹, 1.2 min⁻¹, and 3.81 min⁻¹, respectively. The high catalytic performance of this nanocomposite may be due to the small particle size, high specific surface area, and the high dispersion of Cu NPs on the surface of ZnO.

Catalytic reduction of 4-NP over Cu/ZnO nanocomposites.     

Unusual presentation of telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans at the site of healed herpes zoster; Wolf's isotopic response

There are several reported cases of Wolf's isotopic response, including infections, cancers, inflammatory and immune-related disorders. It is interesting that the majority of these occurred after herpes zoster (HZ) had healed. In this article, we describe an unusual case of adult mastocytosis/telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans (TMEP) at the location of recovered HZ. Given that adult mastocytosis is thought to be caused by dysregulation of the mast cell growth factor receptor, the c-Kit proto-oncogene (CD117), and the fact that the varicella zoster virus-infected cutaneous lesions contain CD117-positive mast cells (CD117+MCs), we hypothesize that CD117+ MCs may be in charge of the local immunological response and cytokine release those results in TMEP after HZ.     

Perspectives and clinical practices of optometrists in Saudi Arabia concerning myopia in children

AIM: To investigate the practice patterns of optometrists in Saudi Arabia regarding myopia management. METHODS: An internet-based survey was distributed to all practicing optometrists in Saudi Arabia (n=1886). The survey contained questions related to 1) demographics, 2) knowledge about myopia and its associated complications, 3) current clinical care, 4) type and frequency of myopia treatment prescribed, and 5) potential barriers limiting treatment adoption. RESULTS: The completed surveys were collected from 171 optometrists (9.06% response rate, 60% male). Knowledge regarding myopia-associated complications was prevalent but somewhat inaccurate among the respondents. Cycloplegic refraction at initial visit was used by 59% of the respondents. The cover test was the most reported binocular vision test (83%), and 38% of optometrists did not perform any ocular biometrics. Two-thirds prescribed single-vision spectacles for children with myopia. Increased time spent outdoors was selected by 80% of the practitioners who prescribed myopia control treatment as the primary approach. Insufficient support and lack of clinical experience in providing myopia treatment were reported as the most important factors limiting the adoption of myopia management strategies. CONCLUSION: The current optometric practices in Saudi Arabia require further investigation. Optometrists appear to be somewhat aware of myopia and the associated risks. However, most evidence-based myopia treatments are not being locally adopted, primarily because of lack of support, lack of experience, and limited availability.     

An evidence-based surgical algorithm for management of odontogenic keratocyst

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - The effective management of odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) remains a subject of interest and confusion in the oral and maxillofacial surgery literature. Currently,...