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The Brix value is an important factor in the sugar industry's extraction processes. Brix refers to the amount of sucrose in the raw sugar solution. The concentration of dissolved solids in a solution is measured by the degree Brix (symbol °Bx). One gram of sucrose in 100 grams of solution equals one-degree Brix. a New Suggested method for measuring brix was designed to be low-cost and accurate Brix measuring in raw sugar solutions. it was depended on Electronic sensors can directly measure the mass, and temperature of the solution to express the brix and give the result on the screen. Digital suggested brixmeter was made based on this method. It can be used manually on the production line and in various food industries. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the digital brixmeter performance for measuring brix in raw sugar solutions. Brix measurements were tested for a group of samples at different sizes to find the optimal measurement sizes can verify accurate brix degree value. The factors affecting the accuracy of the measurement were also studied. The results were compared with the brix read from accurate optical refractometer to check and a prove the accuracy of the proposed digital brixmeter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal multi-systemic vascular dysplasia caused by gene mutations that lead to recurrent epistaxis and other serious complications including mucocutaneous telangiectasias, gastrointestinal bleeding, and arteriovenous malformations. Treatment is limited to symptomatic relief with no approved standard therapy. Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody used primarily in treating metastatic malignancies and ophthalmology. Several studies have shown that bevacizumab is effective in the treatment of HHT-related epistaxis with a high safety profile., Purpose: This systematic review and network meta-analysis aims to explore the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in the treatment of HHT epistaxis., Methods: A comprehensive literature search was done in many databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. We conducted our network meta-analysis using R version 4.2.2 and R Studio version 2022.07.2. Dichotomous data was analyzed as risk ratio and 95% confidence interval and continuous data as mean difference and 95% confidence interval., Results: We included four randomized clinical trials in our network meta-analysis. Different doses of bevacizumab failed to yield any statistically significant difference in reducing the epistaxis severity score, the number of epistaxis episodes, the duration of epistaxis, or improving hemoglobin levels compared to placebo or other comparators. The pooled effect sizes for all outcomes were homogenous., Conclusion: Bevacizumab failed to show any significant difference compared to tranexamic acid, estriol, or placebo. These findings underscore the challenges in addressing HHT-related symptoms and highlight the ongoing need for innovative and more effective interventions., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: Not applicable. Informed consent: Not applicable. Conflict of interest: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs are widely used for managing various conditions including pain, inflammation, arthritis and many musculoskeletal disorders. NSAIDs exert their biological effects by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme, which has two main isoforms COX-1 and COX-2. The COX-2 isoform is believed to be directly related to inflammation. Based on structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of known selective COX-2 inhibitors, our aim is to design and synthesize a novel series of 2-benzamido- N -(4-substituted phenyl)thiophene-3-carboxamide derivatives. These derivatives are intended to be selective COX-2 inhibitors through structural modification of diclofenac and celecoxib. The compound 2-benzamido-5-ethyl- N -(4-fluorophenyl)thiophene-3-carboxamide VIIa demonstrated selective COX-2 inhibition with an IC 50 value of 0.29 μM and a selectivity index 67.24. This is compared to celecoxib, which has an IC 50 value of 0.42 μM and a selectivity index 33.8. Molecular docking studies for compound VIIa displayed high binding affinity toward COX-2. Additionally, the suppression of protein denaturation with respect to albumin was performed as an indicative measure of the potential anti-inflammatory efficacy of the novel compounds. Compound VIIa showed potent anti-inflammatory activity with 93% inhibition and an IC 50 value 0.54 μM. In comparison, celecoxib achieved 94% inhibition with an IC 50 value 0.89 μM. Although molecule VIIa demonstrated significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, adhered to Lipinski's "five rules" (RO5) and exhibited promising drug-like properties, it showed indications of poor in vivo activity. This limitation is likely due to poor aqueous solubility, which impacts its bioavailability. This issue could be addressed by incorporating the drug in niosomal nanocarrier. Niosomes were prepared using the thin-film hydration technique. These niosomes exhibited a particle size of less than 200 nm, high entrapment efficiency, and an appropriate drug loading percentage. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies revealed that the niosomes were spherical and demonstrated compatibility of all of its components. The drug release study indicated that the pure drug had limited practicality for in vivo use. However, incorporating the drug into niosomes significantly improved its release profile, making it more suitable for practical use., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Background and Aim: Severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) is a serious condition with few treatments. By modifying the gut-liver axis, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was proposed as a treatment for SAH. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of FMT versus the standard of care (SOC) in improving SAH patient survival rates., Methods: A thorough search of electronic databases was conducted till September 2023. The survival rates of SAH patients undergoing FMT versus SOC were compared. Using Review Manager 5.4, odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated., Results: The meta-analysis consisted of six studies with a total of 371 patients with SAH. Patients who received FMT had significantly higher survival rates at 1 and 3 months compared to those who received SOC, with pooled OR of 2.91 (95% CI: 1.56-5.42, P  = 0.0008) and 3.07 (95% CI: 1.81-5.20, P  < 0.0001), respectively. However, the survival advantage disappeared after 6 months (OR: 2.96, 95% CI: 0.99-8.85, P  = 0.05) and 1 year of follow-up (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 0.44-7.46, P  = 0.41)., Conclusion: This meta-analysis highlights the potential of FMT to significantly improve short-term survival rates in SAH patients. However, the survival benefit did not last 6-12 months. These findings call for additional research into the effectiveness of FMT over the long term, along with strategies for extending the survival benefit., (© 2024 The Author(s). JGH Open published by Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Selective COX-1 inhibitors are preferential therapeutic targets for platelet aggregation and clotting responses. In this study, we examined the selective COX-1-inhibitory activities of four newly synthesized compounds, 10 - 13 , along with their abilities to inhibit platelet aggregation against ADP and collagen. The target compounds 10 - 13 were synthesized using the conventional method, sonication, and microwave-assisted methods. Microanalytical and spectral data were utilized to elucidate the structures of the new compounds 10 - 13 . Additionally, a spectral NMR experiment [NOESY] was conducted to emphasize the configuration around the double bond of the imine group C=N. The obtained results revealed no observed correlation between any of the neighboring protons, suggesting that the configuration at the C=N double bond is E . Biological results revealed that all the screened compounds 10 - 13 might serve as selective COX-1 inhibitors. They showed IC 50 values ranging from 0.71 μM to 4.82 μM against COX-1 and IC 50 values ranging from 9.26 μM to 15.24 μM against COX-2. Their COX-1 selectivity indices ranged between 2.87 and 18.69. These compounds show promise as promising anti-platelet aggregation agents. They effectively prevented platelet aggregation induced by ADP with IC 50 values ranging from 0.11 μM to 0.37 μM, surpassing the standard aspirin with an IC 50 value of 0.49 μM. Additionally, they inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by collagen with IC 50 values ranging from 0.12 μM to 1.03 μM, demonstrating superior efficacy compared to aspirin, which has an IC 50 value of 0.51 μM. In silico molecular modeling was performed for all the target compounds within the active sites of COX-1 and COX-2 to rationalize their selective inhibitory activities towards COX-1. It was found that the binding interactions of the designed compounds within the COX-1 active site had remained unaffected by the presence of celecoxib. Molecular modeling and DFT calculations using the B3LYP/6-31+G (d,p) level were performed to study the stability of E -forms with respect to Z -forms for the investigated compounds. A strong correlation was observed between the experimental observations and the quantum chemical descriptors.

Purpose: To obtain clinical data about disease activity and severity of thyroid eye disease (TED) in a tertiary eye hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and to correlate this data with vitamin D levels., Methods: A clinical observational study was conducted in a specialized eye hospital in Saudi Arabia. It included prospective enrollment of Saudi patients with confirmed TED to evaluate activity and severity according to Clinical Activity Score (CAS) and European Group on Graves' Orbitopathy (EUGOGO), respectively, and also for blood investigation, including thyroid profile and vitamin D levels. In addition, some retrospective data collection included previous medical and surgical treatment and complications., Results: A total of 74 TED patients were included, with a median age of 42 years and a female predominance of 64.9%. Smokers were 18.9%. A family history of thyroid disease was noted in 12.16% of patients. There were 10.8% of patients with active TED. A moderate to severe severity level was observed in 71% of the cases, mild in 15%, and sight-threatening in 6%. Smoking and older age were associated with the active form of TED. There was a 48.4% prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among TED patients and it was not associated with TED severity or activity., Conclusions: This is the first study demonstrating the clinical profile of TED among Saudi patients. Smoking and older age were associated with TED. Vitamin D deficiency among TED patients was not worse than that of the general Saudi population.

Background: Topiramate (TPM) is used for the treatment of various epileptic seizures and the prevention of migraine. This study aimed to develop a population pharmacokinetic model and identify covariates that influence TPM behavior in patients with epilepsy in Kuwait., Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from 108 patients (2 years old and above) with epilepsy who were treated with oral TPM and 174 TPM blood samples from 3 hospitals in Kuwait from 2009 to 2016. Data were randomly divided into 2 groups for model development and validation. The population pharmacokinetic model was built using the nonparametric modeling algorithm (Pmetrics). The model was evaluated internally through the visual predictive check method and externally using a new data set., Results: A 1-compartment model with first-order elimination fitted the data well. Covariates showing a significant effect on the elimination rate constant were renal function and coadministration of carbamazepine (CBZ). The mean estimated clearance was 2.11 L/h; this was 50% higher for patients coadministered with CBZ. Age and sex were essential covariates for the volume of distribution (V). The visual predictive check of the final model could predict the measured concentrations. External validation further confirmed the favorable predictive performance of the model with low bias and imprecision for predicting the concentration in a particular population., Conclusions: TPM elimination was increased with CBZ coadministration and was affected by renal function. Meanwhile, age and sex were the main predictors for V. The predictive performance of the final model proved to be valid internally and externally., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: With the increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease, the number of people receiving renal replacement is expected to increase by 50% by 2030. Cardiovascular mortality remains significantly higher in this population. The presence of valvular heart disease (VHD) in patients with end-stage renal disease is associated with poor survival. In a dialysis cohort, we assessed the prevalence and characteristics of patients with significant VHD, the association with clinical parameters and the impact on survival., Methods: Echocardiographic parameters for dialysis recipients from a single centre in the UK were collected. Significant left-sided heart disease (LSHD) was defined as moderate or severe left valvular lesions or left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) (ejection fraction <45%) or both. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were ascertained., Results: In 521 dialysis recipients {median age 61 years [interquartile range (IQR) 50-72], 59% male}, 88% were on haemodialysis and the median dialysis vintage was 2.8 years (IQR 1.6-4.6). A total of 238 (46%) had evidence of LSHD: 102 had VHD, 63 had LVSD and 73 had both. Overall, 34% had evidence of left-sided VHD. In multivariable regression analysis, age and use of cinacalcet were associated with higher odds of VHD {odds ratio [OR] 1.03 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.05] and OR 1.85 [95% CI 1.06-3.23], respectively}, while the use of phosphate binders was associated with increased odds of aortic stenosis [AS; OR 2.64 (95% CI 1.26-5.79)]. The 1-year survival was lower in VHD [78% versus 86% (95% CI 0.72-0.84 and 0.83-0.90), respectively] and in LSHD [78% versus 88% (95% CI 0.73-0.83 and 0.85-0.92), respectively]. In AS, the 1-year survival was 64% (95% CI 0.49-0.82). Using propensity score matching to adjust for age, diabetes and low serum albumin, AS was significantly associated with lower survival ( P  = .01). LSHD was significantly associated with worse survival ( P  = .008) compared with survival in LVSD ( P  = .054)., Conclusion: A high proportion of dialysis patients have clinically significant LSHD. This was associated with higher mortality. In valvular heart disease, the development of AS is independently associated with higher mortality in dialysis patients., Competing Interests: S.M. is member of the CKJ editorial board, Vice Chair EUDIAL, European Renal Association and Chair, Dialysis Society, UK., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the ERA.)