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Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and its relationship to stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among healthcare workers (HCWs) compared to controls during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A total of 80 HCWs in Suez Canal University Hospital in Ismailia, Egypt, and 80 controls were analyzed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS 21) questionnaire was used, and serum IL-6 level was determined in both groups. Results IL-6 levels were high in 81.2% (65) of HCWs compared to 36% (45) of controls ( P 3 ng/mL) than in those with mild to moderate levels ( P

Fipronil (FIP) is an N-phenylpyrazole insecticide that is used extensively in public health and agriculture against a wide range of pests. Exposure to FIP is linked to negative health outcomes in humans and animals including promoting neuronal cell injury, which results in apoptosis through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) on neuronal dysfunction induced by FIP in albino rats. Male rats were randomly classified into four groups: control, FIP (5 mg/kg bwt), CeNPs (35 mg/kg bwt), and FIP + CeNPs (5 (FIP) + 35 (CeNPs) mg/kg bwt), which were treated orally once daily for 28 consecutive days. Brain antioxidant parameters, histopathology, and mRNA expression of genes related to brain function were evaluated. The results revealed oxidative damage to brain tissues in FIP-treated rats indicated by the elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels and reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). On the other hand, the FIP’s group that was treated with CeNPs showed decrease in MDA and NO levels and increase in SOD and GPx enzymes activity. Besides, FIP-treated rats showed decreased butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity in comparison to the FIP + CeNPs group. Moreover, FIP caused up-regulation of the expression of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), caspase-3, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) but down-regulation of B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) expression. But the FIP + CeNPs group significantly down-regulated the GFAP, NSE, and caspase-3 and up-regulated the gene expression of BCL-2. Additionally, the FIP-treated group of rats had clear degenerative lesions in brain tissue that was reversed to nearly normal cerebral architecture by the FIP + CeNPs treatment. Immunohistochemical examination of brain tissues of rats-treated with FIP showed abundant ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1) microglia and caspase-3 and apoptotic cells with nearly negative calbindin and synaptophysin reaction, which were countered by FIP + CeNPs treatment that revealed a critical decrease in caspase-3, Iba-1 reaction with a strong calbindin positive reaction in most of the Purkinje cells and strong synaptophysin reaction in the cerebrum and cerebellum tissues. Based on reported results herein, CeNPs treatment might counteract the neurotoxic effect of FIP pesticide via an antioxidant-mediated mechanism.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of varying dentin and enamel layer thicknesses of two nano-composite resins on color match of composite resins and lithium disilicate dental ceramic. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six specimens of two types of nano-composite resins, Opallis and Vittra, were fabricated using the two-layered technique with different thickness ratios of enamel and dentin composites (A2 shade) with a total thickness of 1.2mm. Thirteen discs of the same shade and thickness of IPS e.max Press LT (low translucency) lithium disilicate dental ceramic were also fabricated. Specimen color was measured with a spectrophotometer. The difference in color (ΔE00) of composite and ceramic specimens, and the translucency parameter (TP) of all specimens were calculated. Data were analyzed using multi-factor ANOVA (P2.25). But ΔE00 between the two composite resins was in the clinically acceptable range (ΔE00

Goal: This article aims to present a systematic approach to improve the resource allocation and human queues prioritization patterns. Design / Methodology / Approach: To achieve such a purpose, effective criteria using a fuzzy-Delphi method, and subject-related researchers’ views were obtained. Utilizing the Analytic Network Process method, the weights of each criterion was measured. Then, considering the established weights and using a fuzzy-TOPSIS method, a prioritization system via Discrete Event Simulation was developed. Results: Results indicate that the established approach properly improved the performance of the prioritization system in terms of resources and facilities allocation in neurology’s ICUs. Limitations of the investigation: A drawback of this research can be in states of emergency which limits the options at hand and the criteria proposed may set a drawback on the aim of the study. Practical implications: The results show that the proposed model can modify patient entry based on multiple criteria in terms of productivity and social justice in the patient queuing strategy. Originality / Value: The contribution of this research is threefold: the literature has been reviewed to conclude the criteria concerning decisions around ICUs, the concluded criteria filtered through an expert panel which can be relied based on the method, a real application of the steps proposed is presented which allows comparing the accuracy and efficiency of the decisions made in the hospitals.

Chemo fog is one of the most serious health concerns encountered by cancer survivors receiving doxorubicin (DOX)-based chemotherapy. Oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis and impairment of synaptic plasticity are regarded as the key factors implicated in DOX-induced cognitive impairment. This research aimed to assess the possible neuroprotective effect of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) against DOX-induced neurotoxicity. Forty-eight rats were divided into four groups (12 rats/group): control group, CeNPs group (received oral CeNPs solution (35 mg/kg) daily for 4 weeks), and DOX group (were administered DOX intraperitoneally (2 mg/kg, once/week for 4 weeks)) and DOX+ CeNPs group. The findings revealed that CeNPs mitigated behavioral alterations in DOX-induced cognitive deficit. Additionally, CeNPs alleviated the histopathological abnormalities in hippocampus and ameliorated DOX-induced neuroinflammation by downregulating the expression of NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL6. In addition, CeNPs antagonized the apoptosis through reducing the protein expression of cytochrome c and caspase 3. In addition, it stimulated the antioxidant defense, as indicated by upregulating the expression of the Nrf2, HO-1 and PGC-1α genes. CeNPs improved synaptic plasticity via acting on the BDNF. These actions were related through the modification of SIRT-1 expression. Based on the aforementioned results, CeNPs antagonized the doxorubicin-induced neurodegeneration by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects, alongside its SIRT-1 mediated mechanisms.

Objectives: Inadequate removal of the hemostatic agent can adversely affect the bond strength of restorations to the tooth structure. This study aimed to assess the effect of different cleansing protocols on the shear bond strength (SBS) of an etch-and-rinse adhesive to dentin contaminated with aluminum chloride hemostatic agent. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the mid-coronal dentin of 96 premolars was exposed. They were contaminated with a hemostatic agent (ViscoStat Clear) and then randomly divided into 7 groups (n=12). One group served as the control. The groups underwent various cleaning methods as follows: water spray, aluminum oxide particles (27µ diameter), a slurry of pumice with water, GC dentin conditioner (GCDC), sodium hypochlorite 2% (SHC), and chlorhexidine 2% (CHX). Composite cylinders were then fabricated and bonded to the surfaces using Scotchbond Multi-Purpose etch-and-rinse bonding agent. After thermocycling (10,000 cycles), the SBS was measured using a universal testing machine. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey HSD (honestly significant difference) test, and the significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The SBS of the groups was significantly different (P=0.036). The SBS was the highest in the CHX and SHC groups, and the lowest SBS was related to the control group and GCDC groups. The difference between other groups was not significant (P=0.996). Conclusion: CHX and SHC yielded the highest bond strength among the tested modalities for cleansing the ViscoStat Clear from the tooth surface.

The output of a generator in power plant is the electricity, and it consists of two parts, active and reactive power. These quantities are expressed as complex numbers in which the real part is the active power and the imaginary part is the reactive power. Reactive power plays an important role in an electricity network. Ignoring it will exclude a lot of information. With regard to the importance of the generators in power plants, surely, calculating the efficiency of these units is of great importance. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a nonparametric approach to measure the relative efficiency of Decision-Making Units (DMUs). Since the generators data are complex numbers, thus, if we the use classical DEA models in order to measure the efficiency of the generators in power plants, the reactive power cannot be considered, and the measurement is limited to the real number of electric power. In this paper, a new DEA model with complex numbers is developed in order to assess the performance of the power plant generators. (original abstract)

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the experiences and support needs of family caregivers and nurses tending to Alzheimer's patients in Saudi Arabia. Design: The study was based on a cross-sectional qualitative combined grounded theory approach, Results: Six emerging themes have been reported in the study, which represent the influence of various factors, such as physical, spiritual, cultural background, health education, health care delivery and financial burden. Conclusion: Providing care for patients with Alzheimer's disease presents diverse challenges for both family caregivers and nurses, underscoring the necessity of a comprehensive management system in Saudi Arabia to adequately support them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between resiliency and the prevalence and severity of prenatal anxiety and depression in the context of high-risk pregnancies. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional correlational survey design was used. A convenience sample of 404 high-risk pregnant women from a maternity department at the National Guard Health Affairs hospital, in Jeddah completed three online scales: the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Results: Most women (89.85%) had low resilience, while only 1.98% had high resilience. There was a strong negative correlation between resilience and depression (r = -0.81, p < 0.001) and between resilience and anxiety (r = -0.79, p < 0.001). Women with low resilience had higher levels of depression and anxiety than women with high resilience. Additionally, women with high-risk pregnancies who have higher levels of resilience are more likely to have normal vaginal delivery, to be employed, and to have fewer pregnancy complications than those who have lower levels of resilience Conclusion: Resilience is an important factor for the mental health of women with high-risk pregnancies. Interventions to enhance resilience may help reduce the psychological burden of high-risk pregnancies and improve maternal and fetal outcomes. Further research is needed to explore the causal mechanisms and the modifiable factors that influence resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the representation of gender in Lebanese advertisements. By applying an intersectional feminist framework within a postcolonial country, the study examines the representation of men and women characters, the domestic or professional contexts in which they are situated, their ethnic and physiological traits, their apparent relationships and roles, and their power stances. The findings reveal differences in the pictures drawn of women and men, as advertisements render invisible many common characteristics of Lebanese society. The study concludes that advertisements in Lebanon are ageist and promote Eurocentric ideals that perpetuate the circulation of flawless white femininity and heteronormative patriarchal masculinity, thereby symbolically annihilating most of the population. Thus, gendered advertising in Lebanon offers a rich site for studying the interplay between local and global identities that produce hybrid identities structured by patriarchy, cultural imperialism, and capitalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]