Refractory hypertensive emergency associated with complete heart block resolved after permanent pacemaker implantation: A case report

Severe hypertension sometimes improves with treatment of bradycardia but this phenomenon is under‐reported. Here, an elderly gentleman with complete heart block and a hypertensive emergency was refractory to medical therapies and blood pressure only improved following pacemaker implantation. We discuss the possible mechanisms relating to heart rate and artificial pacing.     

Investigation of Structural,Physical, and Attenuation Parameters of Glass: TeO2-Bi2O3-B2O3-TiO2-RE2O3 (RE: La,Ce, Sm,Er, and Yb), and Applications Thereof

A novel series of glass, consisting of B₂O₃, Bi₂O₃, TeO₂, and TiO₂ (BBTT) containing rare earth oxide RE₂O₃, where RE is La, Ce, Sm, Er, and Yb, was prepared. We investigated the structural, optical, and gamma attenuation properties of the resultant glass. The optical energy bands, the linear refractive indices, the molar refractions, the metallization criteria, and the optical basicity were all determined for the prepared glass. Furthermore, physical parameters such as the density, the molar volume, the oxygen molar volume, and the oxygen packing density of the prepared glass, were computed. Both the values of density and optical energy of the prepared glass increased in the order of La₂O₃, Ce₂O₃, Sm₂O₃, Er₂O₃, and then Yb₂O₃. In addition, the glass doped with Yb₂O₃ had the lowest refractive index, electronic polarizability, and optical basicity values compared with the other prepared glass. The structures of the prepared glass were investigated by the deconvolution of infrared spectroscopy, which determined that TeO₄, TeO₃, BO₄, BO₃, BiO₆, and TiO₄ units had formed. Furthermore, the structural changes in glass are related to the ratio of the intensity of TeO₄/TeO₃, depending on the type of rare earth. It is also clarified that the resultant glass samples are good attenuators against low-energy radiation, especially those that modified by Yb₂O₃, which exhibited superior shielding efficiency at energies of 622, 1170, and 1330 keV. The optical and gamma ray spectroscopy results of the prepared glass show that it is a good candidate for nonlinear optical fibers, laser solid material, and optical shielding protection.     

The use of psychoactive substances by female Egyptian university students, compared with their male colleagues on selected items

A standardized questionnaire, with satisfactory retake item reliabilities and well established validities, was administered to a representative sample of female university students (N = 2366), drawn from Cairo and Ein-Shams Universities, both located in Greater Cairo. Results, relevant to demographic and drug related items, are presented. Where meaningful, comparisons are made with previously published corresponding data obtained on male university students. Among the interesting findings are the following: Female students, compared with males, had better educated parents with jobs higher on social prestige hierarchy. But more boys than girls had personal sources of income and, relatively, big amounts of pocket money. Very few girls smoked cigarettes and used natural narcotics. Tranquilizers and hypnotics were taken by, almost, equal percentages of both sexes. But stimulants were consumed by more boys. Girls did not start experimentation with narcotics before the age of 16, whereas boys began such experimentation before reaching 12 years of age. Girls tried alcohol much more than they experimented with any other psychoactive substance. Among girls as well as boys we found a measurable trend for users to be more exposed than nonusers to what we call 'drug culture'. In the case of girls, close relatives have more weight than personal friends as sources of information about drugs. For boys, it is the opposite. Similarities as well as disparities were discussed and implications were emphasized.     

The EPIYA-ABCC motif of Helicobacter pylori cagA gene and gastric carcinogenesis in Casablanca population

BackgroundH. pylori infection induce atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) that can lead to gastric cancer (GC). The severity of gastric lesions is related to H. pylori genetic diversity. The oncogenic potential of H. pylori cagA virulence factor is linked to its high polymorphic EPIYA motifs.ObjectivesOur aim was to evaluate the association of EPIYA motifs with the risk of AG and IM in Casablanca population.MethodsA total of 210 patients suffering from gastric lesions (chronic gastritis, AG, and IM) was enrolled. H. pylori infection and the type of lesions were diagnosed by ureC PCR and histological examination, respectively. Detection of the cagA gene, and the type of EPIYA motifs, were carried out by PCRResultsThe prevalence of H. pylori and cagA gene was 95% and 37%, respectively. CagA-positive strains were associated with the risk of IM. The EPIYA motifs detected were: EPIYA-ABC (58%), EPIYA-ABCC (22%), and EPIYA-AB (20%). The EPIYA-ABCC motif was associated with the risk of IM (p-value = 0.007), compared to AG (p-value = 0.28).ConclusionThe EPIYA-ABCC motif might be a useful marker for the identification of patients at high risk of developing IM that can lead to GC.     

Metabolic and pharmacological profiling of Penicillium claviforme by a combination of experimental and bioinformatic approaches

BackgroundPenicillium produces a wide range of structurally diverse metabolites with significant pharmacological impacts in medicine and agriculture. For the first time, a complete metabolome of Penicillium claviforme (P. claviforme) (FBP-DNA-1205) was studied alongside pharmacological research in this study.MethodsThe metabolic profile of P. claviforme fermented on Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) was investigated in this work. The complete metabolomics studies of fungus were performed using GC-MS and LC-MS-QTOF techniques. An in vitro model was utilised to study the cytotoxic and antioxidant activities, while an in vivo model was employed to investigate the antinociceptive and acute toxicity activities. Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software was used for molecular docking analysis.ResultsGC-MS study showed the presence of alkanes, fatty acids, esters, azo and alcoholic compounds. Maculosin, obtain, phalluside, quinoline, 4,4’-diaminostilbene, funaltrexamine, amobarbital, and fraxetin were among the secondary metabolites identified using the LC-MS-QTOF technique. The n-hexane fraction of P. claviforme displayed significant cytotoxic activity in vitro, with an LD50 value of 92.22 µgml⁻¹. The antinociceptive effects in vivo were dose-dependent significantly (p < .001). Interestingly, during the 72 h of investigation, no acute toxicity was demonstrated. In addition, a docking study of tentatively identified metabolites against the inflammatory enzyme (COX-2) supported the antinociceptive effect in an in silico model.ConclusionMetabolic profile of P. claviforme shows the presence of biologically relevant compounds in ethyl acetate extract. In addition, P. claviforme exhibits substantial antioxidant and cytotoxic activities in an in vitro model as well as antinociceptive activity in an in vivo model. The antinociceptive action is also supported by a molecular docking study. This research has opened up new possibilities in the disciplines of mycology, agriculture, and pharmaceutics.

Key messages

• The first time explored complete metabolome through GC-MS and LC-MS-QTOF.
• Both in vivo & in vitro pharmacological investigation of P. claviforme.
• In silico molecular docking of LC-MS-QTOF metabolites.

     

Impact of exercise on physical health status in bladder cancer patients

IntroductionThere is a scarcity of data on the impact of behavioral habits, such as exercise, on physical health in patients with bladder cancer. We investigated the association of exercise on self-reported physical health status and examined the prevalence of bladder cancer patients with sedentary lifestyle.MethodsWe examined cross-sectional data of participants diagnosed with bladder cancer within the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 2016–2020. Patient health status was surveyed using self-reported measures, such as the total days per month when their “physical health is not good.” The primary outcome was patient-reported poor physical health for more than 14 days within a one-month period.ResultsOut of 2 193 981 survey participants, we identified 936 with a history of bladder cancer. Nearly one in three bladder cancer patients reported being sedentary within the last month, as a total of 307 (32.8%) patients reported no exercise within the last 30 days. The remaining 628 (67.2%) reported exercising for at least one day within the last month. In multivariable logistic regression model analysis, we found that exercise is protective for self-reported poor physical health status (odds ratio 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.25–0.56, p<0.001). Patients that exercised were less likely to report bad physical health.ConclusionsApproximately one in three bladder cancer patients report no exercise within 30 days, suggesting a sedentary lifestyle. Patients that are active are less likely to self-report poor physical health status. Implementation of exercise programs for bladder cancer patients could be promising in improving health status.

KEY MESSAGES

• Approximately 1 in 3 bladder cancer patients report a sedentary lifestyle.
• Patients that are active are less likely to self-report poor physical health status.
• Implementation of exercise programs might improve health status.
• Clinicians of bladder cancer patients should engage in increasing activity levels.

     

The Effect of Dentifrice on Micro-Hardness,Surface Gloss,and Micro-Roughness of Nano Filled Conventional and Bulk-Fill Polymer Composite—A Micro Indentation and Profilometric Study

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of brushing with two whitening dentifrices (Colgate Optic White (COW) and Colgate Optic White Charcoal (COC)) on surface gloss, micro-roughness, and micro-hardness of nanostructured hybrid conventional (Z350) and bulk-fill (Tetric N Ceram bulk-fill) polymer composite. In total, 96 disk samples using two nano-hybrid composite polymers (Z350 and Tetric N Ceram Bulk-fill) were prepared. All specimens were exposed to two different dentifrices (COW and COC), resulting in four main subgroups in the study. Specimens were assessed for surface gloss, micro-roughness (Ra), and micro-hardness using standardized methodology. Means and standard deviations of properties compared using paired t-test, one-way and two-way ANOVA, and post hoc test. The presence of dentifrices did not show any significant difference in micro-hardness values of Z350 (p > 0.05), whereas micro-hardness of bulk-fill composite significantly reduced on dentifrices exposure (p ≤ 0.05). Bulk-fill polymer composite showed significant reduction in gloss after dentifrice exposure (p < 0.05), however, Z350 showed no significant loss of gloss due to dentifrices (p > 0.05). A significant increase in Ra was observed for both resin materials after exposure to dentifrices (COC and COW). Conventional resin composite (Z350) showed comparable surface hardness and gloss before and after dentifrice exposure, however, micro-roughness increased significantly due to dentifrice exposure. Bulk-fill resin (Tetric N Ceram) showed significant loss of micro-hardness and gloss and increase in micro-roughness on dentifrice exposure. Conventional nano-hybrid composite polymer showed better durability in resisting loss of surface properties compared to bulk-fill resin polymer in the present experiment.     

Synthesis and antiviral activity of benzimidazolyl- and triazolyl-1,3,5-triazines

A novel series of 1,3,5-triazine analogs was successfully synthesized through conjugation with benzimidazole or 1,2,4-triazole derivatives via a methylenethio linker. The new analogs were in vitro evaluated against HSV-1 in Vero cells; among these analogs, two compounds exhibited good effect in inhibiting HSV-1 replication (for compound 5p: EC₅₀ = 3.5 μg/ml, SI = 358; for compound 5r: EC₅₀ = 5.0 μg/ml, SI = 300) in comparison to acyclovir.