Synthesis and characterization of novel denosumab/magnesium-based metal organic frameworks nanocomposite prepared by ultrasonic route as drug delivery system for the treatment of osteoporosis

Introduction: The metal-organic frameworks (MOF) have shown fascinating possibilities in biomedical applications, and designing a drug delivery system (DDS) based on the MOF is important. This work aimed at developing a suitable DDS based on Denosumab-loaded Metal Organic Framework/Magnesium (DSB@MOF (Mg)) for attenuating osteoarthritis.Materials and Methods: The MOF (Mg) (Mg3(BPT)2(H2O)4) was synthesized using a sonochemical protocol. The efficiency of MOF (Mg) as a DDS was evaluated by loading and releasing DSB as a drug. In addition, the performance of MOF (Mg) was evaluated by releasing Mg ions for bone formation. The MOF (Mg) and DSB@MOF (Mg) cytotoxicity towards the MG63 cells were explored by MTT assay.Results: MOF (Mg) characterized by using XRD, SEM, EDX, TGA, and BET. Drug loading, and releasing experiments proved that DSB was loaded on the MOF (Mg) and approximately 72% DSB was released from it after 8 h. The characterization techniques showed that MOF (Mg) was successfully synthesized with good crystal structure and thermal stability. The result of BET showed that MOF (Mg) had high surface areas and pore volume. This is the reason why its 25.73% DSB was loaded in the subsequent drug-loading experiment. Drug release and ion release experiments indicated DSB@MOF (Mg) had a good controlled release of DSB and Mg ions in solution. Cytotoxicity assay confirmed that the optimum dose of it had excellent biocompatibility and could stimulate the proliferation of MG63 cells as time went on.Conclusion: Due to the high loading amount of DSB and releasing time, DSB@MOF (Mg) can be promising as a suitable candidate for relieving bone pain caused by osteoporosis, with ossification-reinforcing functions

Hydrogel assistant synthesis of new Ti-MOF cross-linked oxidized pectin and chitosan with anti-breast cancer properties

Breast cancer is one of the most common diseases of the modern age. Although many methods for its treatment have been reported so far, the report and synthesis of new compounds based on new technologies, especially nanotechnology, is important. One of the laboratory methods for evaluating the anticancer properties of compounds is the in vitro MTT method (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide). In this study, the in vitro anti-breast cancer activity of the newly synthesized (Titanium Metal-Organic Framework) Ti-MOF cross-linked oxidized pectin and chitosan hydrogel, which uses biopolymers in its synthesis and structure, was investigated. The anticancer activity results showed that the synthetic nanopolymer had cell proliferation and viability of 27% more than the control and (the half maximal inhibitory concentration) IC50 of 111 μg/mL against breast cancer cells. Before the anticancer evaluation, the structure of the synthesized Ti-MOF cross-linked oxidized pectin, and chitosan hydrogel was confirmed by (X-Ray Diffraction) XRD pattern (Fourier Transform Infrared) FT-IR spectrum (Energy-dispersive X-ray) EDAX spectroscopy, N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm and (Scanning Electron Microscope) Scanning Electron Microscope images. The results of identification and characterization showed that the synthetic nanopolymer was in the range of nanoparticles. The peaks of the expected functional groups and reactant elements were observed in the FT-IR spectrum and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy of the final product. High physicochemical capabilities such as the uniform morphology, crystallization of particles, and high specific surface area from synthesized Ti-MOF cross-linked oxidized pectin, and chitosan hydrogel were observed. The unique properties of the synthesized Ti-MOF cross-linked oxidized pectin and chitosan hydrogel can be attributed to the appropriate method of its synthesis that was carried out in this study

Vibration analysis of size dependent micro FML cylindrical shell reinforced by CNTs based on modified couple stress theory

In this manuscript, the sequel of agglomeration on the vibration of fiber metal laminated (FML) cylindrical shell in the micro phase using developed couple stress theory (MCST). Hamilton’s principle has been carried out for deriving the non-classical equations of motion of size dependent thin micro cylindrical shell on the basis of Love’s first approximation theory. Mori Tanaka and extended rule of mixture are utilized to estimate the mechanical attributes of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and equivalent fiber, respectively. These four phases CNTs/fiber/polymer/metal laminated (CNTFPML) micro cylindrical shell is analyzed applying beam modal function model for several boundary limitations. Then, an investigation is performed to study the impacts of differing input parameters namely material length scale parameter, agglomeration, the distributions of agglomerated CNTs, the mass fraction of equivalent fiber and the volume fraction of CNTs on the frequency response of micro agglomerated CNTFPML cylindrical shell. The main output illustrated that the growth of frequencies is directly dependent to the increase of material length scale parameter for this agglomerated CNTFPML cylindrical shell so that through increasing the values of agglomeration parameters g and l and material length scale parameter l altogether, the frequencies of this cylindrical shell gro

Scientific landscape of oxidative stress in male reproductive research: A scientometric study

Unraveling the role of reactive oxygen species and associated oxidative stress (OS) in male reproduction is one of the key areas of male reproductive research. This article illustrates the scientific landscape of OS in male reproductive research over the past several decades (1941–2018) using a scientometric approach. Scientometric data (articles per year, authors, affiliations, journals, and countries) on OS related to male reproduction were retrieved from the Scopus database and analyzed for each decade. Our analysis revealed an increasing trend in OS-based male reproductive research from 1941 to 2018 with a steep raise in publications and research collaborations starting from the period 1991–2000 (R2 = 0.81). Semen abnormalities and varicocele were the major areas investigated in relation to OS with the highest positive trend in publications from the time interval 1981–1990 to 2011–2018. Analysis of publications based on OS assessment techniques revealed chemiluminescence (n = 180) and evaluation of antioxidants (n = 300) as the most widely used direct and indirect tests, respectively

Shock wave lithotripsy in patients requiring anticoagulation or antiplatelet agents

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) remains the only truly minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of upper tract nephrolithiasis. Recently, there has been a recent rise in the patients on antiplatelet agents. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to review the literature available regarding SWL in these high-risk patients requiring anti-coagulation therapy. Alternative therapies to SWL are also presented

Epidemiology of varicocele

Varicocele is a common problem in reproductive medicine practice. A varicocele is identified in 15% of healthy men and up to 35% of men with primary infertility. The exact pathophysiology of varicoceles is not very well understood, especially regarding its effect on male infertility. We have conducted a systematic review of studies evaluating the epidemiology of varicocele in the general population and in men presenting with infertility. In this article, we have identified some of the factors that can influence the epidemiological aspects of varicoceles. We also recognize that varicocele epidemiology remains incompletely understood, and there is a need for well-designed, large-scale studies to fully define the epidemiological aspects of this condition

Assessing Physiological and Psychological Factors Contributing to Stress among Medical Students: Implications for Health

Background: Physiological responses to stress disturb internal homeostasis, leading to serious health consequences. Medical students experience high stress levels that should be managed promptly to prevent stress-related impacts on students’ health and education. Aim: This study aims to identify the relationship between stress factors, general health, and academic performance. Methods: This study recruited 421 medical students of all academic years. Participants completed an online survey assessing stress levels using a validated 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. Stress was also compared with students’ health and academic performance. Results: We found that 93.6% of our sample experienced moderate to severe stress, and 31% reported increased stress due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Except for internship students, stress significantly decreases as students progress each academic year (p < 0.05). Students with higher GPAs and with comorbidities are more stressed. Comorbidities were primarily reported in students in their final years of education with a 4% lower GPA than healthy students. Although we had three stress-related themes (general, academic, and pandemic), students’ perceptions of stress factors were primarily academically related. Conclusions: Students experience high stress levels in their final educational years, which might increase the risk of health issues and low academic performance. It is essential to innovate stress-coping strategies specially designed for medical students and mandatorily provided by all medical colleges and to educate students on the effects of stress on their health

Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Knowledge and Attitudes of Medical and Dental Students and Fresh Graduates from Saudi Arabia

This study aimed to assess the knowledge level and attitudes of graduating Saudi medical and dental students and fresh graduates from those faculties about pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and the relation of their knowledge level to sociodemographic variables. In this cross-sectional study, 722 graduating students and fresh graduates were requested to answer a questionnaire pretested for validity and reliability. The data were analyzed statistically. Results revealed that medical participants scored 15.45 (out of 22), with 38% of them showing good knowledge about pediatric OSA, while dental participants scored 14.59, with 25.2% of them showing good knowledge. By regression analysis, medical participants (odds ratio (OR): 1.529) were more likely to have good knowledge than dental participants, while participants who belonged to institutions located in the central region (OR: 0.546) were less likely to have good knowledge than those from southern region institutions. In addition, participants from public institutions (OR: 0.290) were less likely to have good knowledge than those from private institutions. Regarding attitudes, medical participants scored 14.13 (out of 20), and dental participants scored 14.64. We detected a significant positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores of dental participants. Given these findings, the knowledge level of graduating Saudi medical and dental students and fresh graduates about pediatric OSA was not optimal. The college type, institution sector, and location in the kingdom were factors associated with good knowledge. There is a need for further education and training about pediatric OSA in the undergraduate Saudi medical and dental curricula and continuing professional development programs about the topic after graduation

Perceptions of testicular cancer and self-examination in the general population of Saudi Arabia

Background: Although testicular cancer (TC) is the most common malignancy in males between the ages of 18 and 50 years, little effort has been made to increase public awareness about TC and testicular self-examinations (TSEs). Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness of TC and TSEs in the Saudi population. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using a structured questionnaire distributed online through social media platforms. The questionnaire consisted of 11 questions related to TC and TSE. All relevant data were moved into an Excel sheet, and data analyses were carried out using SPSS. Results: A total of 849 responses were received. The proportion of respondents who knew any information about TC was 26.5%, with media or the Internet being the most common sources of information (16.3%). In addition, 5.5% of respondents knew how to perform a TSE, although only 4% actually performed TSEs. The patient age group was an independent significant predictor of this knowledge, with a P = 0.031. Conclusions: These findings suggest that there is a low level of public awareness and knowledge of TC and TSE in Saudi Arabia, and further efforts should be focused on raising public awareness