Optimization of chemical conditions for metabolites production by Ganoderma lucidum using response surface methodology and investigation of antimicrobial as well as anticancer activities

Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) is a medicinal mushroom that is known for its ability to produce compounds with physiological effects on human health. This research was undertaken to amplify the production of bioactive components of G. lucidum under optimal cultivation conditions, obtained in a submerged state and utilized in solid state fermentation, with the purpose of enhancing antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The results indicated that titanium dioxide (TiO2 NPs), magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO2 NPs), and B6, along with glucose syrup and CLS syrups, were the most effective for producing GA, while wheat starch and whey protein, along with MgO2 NPs and B6 vitamin, stimulated polysaccharide production using the One Factor at a Time (OFAT) method. After screening, the response surface method (RSM) statistically indicated that the media containing 42.11 g/L wheat starch with 22 g/L whey protein and 50 g/L glucose syrup with 30 g/L CSL were found to be the best conditions for polysaccharide (21.47% of dry weight biomass) and GA (20.35 mg/g dry weight biomass) production, respectively. The moss of the fruit body of G. lucidum produced under optimal GA conditions had the highest diversity in flavonoids and phenolic acids and significant antimicrobial activity against Esherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis). In addition, the IC50 levels of shell and stem of G. lucidum were 465.3 and 485.7 μg/mL, respectively, while the moss did not reach 50% inhibition. In the end, the statistical approaches utilized in this research to elevate the levels of bioactive components in the fruiting body of G. lucidum produced a promising natural source of antimicrobial and anticancer agents.

Advancing Preoperative Strategies for Thyroidectomy in Graves' Disease: A Narrative Review

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by thyroid-stimulating antibodies that can potentially lead to thyrotoxicosis, goiter, skin disease, and eye disease. Available treatment options for Graves' disease include management with antithyroid drugs (ATDs), thyroid ablation with radioactive iodine (RAI), and surgical thyroid gland removal. For individuals unable to reach a normal thyroid hormone level, promptly considering a thyroidectomy is essential. Preoperative strategies to achieve a euthyroid state prevent thyroid storms and minimize postoperative complications and are therefore crucial. While variations in professional guidance exist, this review focuses on standard medical interventions as well as compares respective guidelines set forth by the American Thyroid Association, the European Thyroid Association, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, and the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons. There is consensus among these organizations underscoring the importance of rendering patients euthyroid prior to surgery and the use of ATDs. Most guidelines recommend screening for vitamin D deficiency as well as endorse thyroidectomy as the preferred treatment option for hyperthyroidism with skilled surgeons. Nevertheless, discrepancies do become apparent in aspects such as potassium iodide (SSKI) course duration and preoperative dexamethasone administration. By understanding these differing approaches, healthcare professionals can more effectively manage Graves' disease prior to surgery, resulting in improved patient outcomes and enhanced surgical success.

Machine learning models can predict subsequent publication of North American Spine Society (NASS) annual general meeting abstracts

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Academic meetings serve as an opportunity to present and discuss novel ideas. Previous studies have identified factors predictive of publication without generating predictive models. Machine learning (ML) presents a novel tool capable of generating these models. As such, the objective of this study was to use ML models to predict subsequent publication of abstracts presented at a major surgical conference.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

Database study.

METHODS

All abstracts from the North American Spine Society (NASS) annual general meetings (AGM) from 2013-2015 were reviewed. The following information was extracted: number of authors, institution, location, conference category, subject category, study type, data collection methodology, human subject research, and FDA approval. Abstracts were then searched on the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases for publication. ML models were trained to predict whether the abstract would be published or not. Quality of models was determined by using the area under the receiver operator curve (AUC). The top ten most important factors were extracted from the most successful model during testing.

RESULTS

A total of 1119 abstracts were presented, with 553 (49%) abstracts published. During training, the model with the highest AUC and accuracy metrics was the partial least squares (AUC of 0.77±0.05, accuracy of 75.5%±4.7%). During testing, the model with the highest AUC and accuracy was the random forest (AUC of 0.69, accuracy of 67%). The top ten features for the random forest model were (descending order): number of authors, year, conference category, subject category, human subjects research, continent, and data collection methodology.

CONCLUSIONS

This was the first study attempting to use ML to predict the publication of complete articles after abstract presentation at a major academic conference. Future studies should incorporate deep learning frameworks, cognitive/results-based variables and aim to apply this methodology to larger conferences across other fields of medicine to improve the quality of works presented.

The effect of Tai Chi on quality of life in male older people: A randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Physical activity can improve the mental and physical functioning of older people. This study investigated the impact of Tai Chi exercise on the quality of life of older men.

METHODS

This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 132 older men in an urban area of Iran. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups: a Tai Chi intervention group and a control group (n = 66 per group). Quality of life was evaluated using the Leiden-Padua quality of life questionnaire before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using analytical statistics via the SPSS software.

RESULTS

After eight weeks of Tai Chi exercise, the mean scores of quality of life in different areas demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p < 0 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study illustrated that the 8-week Tai Chi intervention had a positive effect on quality of life in older men.

Diabetes mellitus and sensorineural hearing loss among non-elderly people

One ofthe known complications of diabetes is hearing impairment. This comparative study in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, aimed to evaluate the association of diabetes mellitus and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) among a non-elderly population. Among 160 subjects aged < 60 years with no history of occupational noise exposure (80 diabetics and 80 age- and sex-matched non-diabetic controls), 45% of diabetic patients and 20% of controls had SNHL (OR 3.5, 95% CI: 1.6-6.6). Age at onset and duration of diabetes were associated with SNHL. Diabetes mellitus may be a risk factor for hearing loss regardless of age and smoking. Determining the cause of SNHL in diabetic patients may lead to development of better treatment options.

Oral and intravenous eradication of Helicobacter pylori

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of oral regimens in patients without active gastric bleeding and those of intravenous regimens in a group with active gastric bleeding. This study was performed as an interventional investigation in Tehran between April 2004 and March 2008. The patients who had active peptic ulcer were included and divided into two groups. One group included 26 subjects with active gastric bleeding and the other included 29 patients without active gastric bleeding. The intravenous treatment included metronidazole, ampicillin, ranitidine and orally administered bismuth for five days. The oral regimen included metronidazole, amoxicillin, ranitidine and bismuth sub-citrate for 14 days. In intravenous group 24 patients (92.3%) and in oral group 24 subjects (82.8%) had no drug adverse events. The successful treatment was seen in 61.5% (16/26) and 55.2% (16/29) in intravenous and oral methods, respectively. Finally, it may be concluded that both five-day intravenous therapeutic regimen in patients with active gastric bleeding and 14-day oral regimen in patients without active gastric bleeding would have good efficacy and low rate of drug adverse events.

Measurement of intracardiac pressures. State of the art--1986

With Doppler echocardiography, through assessment of the velocity profile of flow in the region of stenoses, regurgitant lesions or shunts the pressure difference between two cardiac chambers or a cardiac chamber and great vessel can be calculated, using the Bernoulli equation. If the pressure in one chamber is known from clinical parameters, then the pressure in the second chamber can be estimated. In stenosis of the left ventricular outflow tract, the left ventricular systolic pressure can be calculated as the sum of the pressure difference between the left ventricle and aorta during systole and the cuff blood pressure. In right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, the velocity of blood flow can be used to derive the pressure gradient between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery during systole and, if the right ventricular systolic pressure is known, the pulmonary artery pressure can be estimated. This method is applicable in valvular and supravalvular stenoses, as well as for pulmonary artery bands or right ventricular-pulmonary artery conduits. If the right atrial pressure is known or estimated clinically as the jugular venous pressure, the right ventricular systolic pressure can be calculated; in the absence of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction from the velocity of a tricuspid regurgitation jet, this will approximate pulmonary artery systolic pressure. Further parameters for evaluation of pulmonary artery pressure are the isovolumetric right ventricular relaxation time or the relaxation time index (Burstin method) and the preejection period, acceleration time and right ventricular ejection time as derived from the pulmonary artery velocity profile.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)