MicroRNA and gene signature of severe cutaneous drug hypersensitivity reactions reveal the role of miR-483- 5p/miR-28-5p in inflammation by targeting Granulysin gene

Purpose: To build a microRNA and gene signature of severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCAR), including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).Methods: MicroRNA expression profiles were downloaded from miRNA expression profile of patients’ skin suffering from TEN using an array comprising of 372 miRNAs; download site: www.jacionline.org. The patient samples were eight TEN, ten SJS patients and twenty-two healthy individuals. A total of 192 microRNAs were found with unique expression patterns (overexpressed) in contrast with healthy skin controls and patients. Thereafter, the following databases were used for downstream analysis: geneMANIA, DIANA-miRPath version 3, DIANA-TarBase version 7.0, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) as well as DAVID, STRING and GENECODIS online tools.Results: Granulysin (GNLY) geneMANIA database search yielded 21 interacting genes that were 64.6 % in physical interaction, 17 % in co-expression pattern. miRBD potential microRNAs that target the 21 genes were 79 miRs. Eighteen miRs overlap between the overexpressed miRs from SJS/TEN samples and the miRs targeting the 21 genes. Moreover, Ingenuity pathway analysis IPA revealed that the microRNAs were involved in inflammation.Conclusion: Analysis of differential microRNA expressions reveals two significant DE miRs that target Granulysin (483-5p/miR-28-5p). MiR-GNLY loop interactions in hypersensitivity reactions may function as biomarkers for SCAR including SJS and TEN.Keywords: Severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCAR) Steven-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Granulysin, Biomarkers, MicroRNA signatur

Pathway analysis for identification of potential biomarkers in severe cutaneous drug hypersensitivity reactions

Purpose: To construct a cluster model or a gene signature for Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) using pathways analysis in order to identify some potential biomarkers that may be used for early detection of SJS and epidermal necrolysis (TEN) manifestations.Methods: Gene expression profiles of GSE12829 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database. A total of 193 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained. We applied these genes to geneMANIA database, to remove ambiguous and duplicated genes, and after that, characterized the gene expression profiles using geneMANIA, DAVID, REACTOME, STRING and GENECODIS which are online software and databases.Results: Out of 193 genes, only 91 were used (after removing the ambiguous and duplicated genes) for topological analysis. It was found by geneMANIA database search that majority of these genes were coexpressed yielding 84.63 % co-expression. It was found that ten genes were in Physical interactions comprising almost 14.33 %. There were < 1 % pathway and genetic interactions with values of 0.97 and 0.06 %, respectively. Final analyses revealed that there are two clusters of gene interactions and 13 genes were shown to be in evident relationship of interaction with regards to hypersensitivity.Conclusion: Analysis of differential gene expressions by topological and database approaches in the current study reveals 2 gene network clusters. These genes are CD3G, CD3E, CD3D, TK1, TOP2A, CDK1, CDKN3, CCNB1, and CCNF. There are 9 key protein interactions in hypersensitivity reactions and may serve as biomarkers for SJS and TEN. Pathways related gene clusters has been identified and a genetic model to predict SJS and TEN early incidence using these biomarker genes has been developed.Keywords: Steven-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Differentially expressed genes, Hypersensitivity reactions, Genes, Biomarker

Enhancing contrast of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with liver cirrhosis: Conveyance times of Primovist in hepatobiliary system

Purpose: To determine transit times for excretion of gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA), a recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, in hepatobiliary system of patients with liver cirrhosis.Methods: Liver cirrhosis patients that underwent contrast MRI examination at Renai Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan were included. The patients who have experienced contrast-enhanced abdominal MR examination after injection of 10 mL Gd-EOB-DTPA at 1.5-T MR from December 2009 to March 2011, were included retrospectively. The images were evaluated for the presence of contrast agent in intrahepatic bile ducts (IHD), common bile duct (CBD), gall bladder and duodenum.Results: The optimal time for arterial phase was from 15 s after injection while the optimal time for portal venous imaging was from 40 s after injection. Furthermore, the optimal time to observe changes was 20 min after contrast initiation of Gd-EOB-DTPA in 39 patients (83 %) in IHD and 37 patients (78.5 %) in CBD. Gall bladder reflux was visible in 26 patients (43 %), and duodenal excretion in 17 patients (36 %). After 30 min of contrast injection, Gd-EOB-DTPA could still be detected in 6 patients (13 %) in IHD and 7 patients (15 %) in CBD, while gall bladder reflux was visible in 10 patients (21 %), and duodenal excretion in 20 patients (55 %).Conclusion: The excretion of Gd-EOB-DTPA can be observed in liver cirrhosis patients.Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Gadoxetic acid, Common hepatic duc

Automatic detection of the end-diastolic and end-systolic from 4D echocardiographics images

Accurate detection of the End-Diastolic (ED) and End-Systolic (ES) frames of a cardiac cycle are significant factors that may affect the accuracy of abnormality assessment of a ventricle. This process is a routine step of the ventricle assessment procedure as most of the time in clinical reports many parameters are measured in these two frames to help in diagnosing and dissection making. According to the previous works the process of detecting the ED and ES remains a challenge in that the ED and ES frames for the cavity are usually determined manually by review of individual image phases of the cavity and/or tracking the tricuspid valve. The proposed algorithm aims to automatically determine the ED and ES frames from the four Dimensional Echocardiographic images (4DE) of the Right Ventricle (RV) from one cardiac cycle. By computing the area of three slices along one cardiac cycle and selecting the maximum area as the ED frame and the minimum area as the ES frame. This method gives an accurate determination for the ED and ES frames, hence avoid the need for time consuming, expert contributions during the process of computing the cavity stroke volume

miRTarBase update 2014: an information resource for experimentally validated miRNA-target interactions

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules capable of negatively regulating gene expression to control many cellular mechanisms. The miRTarBase database (http://mirtarbase.mbc.nctu.edu.tw/) provides the most current and comprehensive information of experimentally validated miRNA-target interactions. The database was launched in 2010 with data sources for >100 published studies in the identification of miRNA targets, molecular networks of miRNA targets and systems biology, and the current release (2013, version 4) includes significant expansions and enhancements over the initial release (2010, version 1). This article reports the current status of and recent improvements to the database, including (i) a 14-fold increase to miRNA-target interaction entries, (ii) a miRNA-target network, (iii) expression profile of miRNA and its target gene, (iv) miRNA target-associated diseases and (v) additional utilities including an upgrade reminder and an error reporting/user feedback system

Kidney stones Data supplementary file

Kidney stones Data file for kidney stone patients </p

Capturing reality: Navigating photographic realism in Mohsin Hamid’s Exit West (2017)

This paper aimed to explore the complexities that invoked colonial history and its connection to the contemporary contexts marked by multiculturalism, the war on terror, identity disintegration, displacement, and immigration. It investigated the intricate interplay between photographic realism and contemporary themes within Mohsin Hamid’s novel “Exit West.” The study delved into the meticulous portrayal of migration, geopolitical landscapes, counterterrorism measures, and the influence of digital technology within the narrative. By drawing parallels between Hamid’s prose and photographic realism, the analysis focused on the nuanced exploration of displacement and conflict. The examination of magical doors as a literary device akin to photographic realism revealed their role in capturing the instability of geopolitical structures and disrupting conventional borders. Photographic realism was adopted as a literary theoretical framework. This research contributed to a deeper understanding of how Hamid’s novel served as a critical commentary on the multifaceted challenges within the global human experience, emphasizing the relevance of photographic realism in contemporary literary analysis. After a thematic analysis of the primary text, it was concluded that the novel was a critical portrayal of migrant labor as a commodity, cosmopolitanism, contemporary sociocultural and geopolitical dilemmas, the exploitative nature of the state’s projects, and interracial integration

Solar Photovoltaic Array Reconfiguration for Reducing Partial Shading Effect

In the photovoltaic (PV) system some problems happen causes a substantial reduction in power generation, one of these problems are Partial shading (PS), and (PS) happen when some obstacles block the sun's rays on the photovoltaic (PV) cells in a PV array, panel, or module in the PV system. Therefore, this paper suggests a method for reducing the effects of partial shading and increasing output power by reconfiguring a solar photovoltaic array using a new shade dispersion strategy (NSDS). The improvements achieved in maximum power point MPP when the shadows are angled or have a significant size, NSDS is also suitable for any photovoltaic array size. The simulation in this study was done by using MATLAB-software Simulink. Different shapes for shades were taken like Short and Wide (SW), Short and Narrow (SN), Long and Wide (LW), and Long and Narrow (LN) partial shading in addition to diagonal shade (DI). The suggested method was used on 6x3 photovoltaic panels to solve the partial shadow problem that cannot be solved by some previous shadow dispersion methods like so du Ku and stepwise. Also, it is applied to a 4x2 PV array which is considered difficult to spread the shadows to all PV panels because of its small size. Analysis and comparisons of the output characteristic were done using Cadmium telluride (CdTe) F-4112-3 PV panels and it was found that the increment in the generated power is more than 30% in comparison with the typical series-parallel (SP) for the SW and LW shades while it is more than 30% and 20% in comparison with the Total-Cross-Tied (TCT) configuration for the SW and LW shades respectively

The Role of Pharmacists and Community Pharmacies in the Screening, Knowledge, and Awareness of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 in Jordanian People Visiting Community Pharmacies

Background: According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), diabetes is increasing exponentially worldwide and will become more prevalent than ever in the Middle East by 2045, with a 110% increase. This study aims to clarify the role of pharmacists and community pharmacies in the screening, knowledge, and awareness of Type 2 diabetes among Jordanian people who visit community pharmacies in Amman, Jordan. Methods: Study design: This was a cross-sectional prospective study that was conducted from September to December 2021 in Amman, Jordan. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire that was composed of multiple parts. The first part collected information on demographics, residence, educational level, and insurance status; the second part was composed of 14 knowledge assessing questions; the last part was composed of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) diabetes risk score card test. Additionally, after confirming that each participant had returned their completed sheets, participants who scored greater than 5 had their blood sugar levels checked using a finger-prick blood test. The questionnaire was administered in person by a trained researcher. Using Slovin&rsquo;s formula, a 95% confidence interval (CI), and a 0.05 margin of error, the sample size was determined to be 267 participants. The study included 305 participants. Descriptive and regression analyses were performed by using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) with a significance level of p &lt; 0.05. Results: A significant relationship was found between specialty (medical education) and the knowledge of risk factors for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), (p &lt; 0.012). In terms of knowledge, from a total of 13 correct knowledge points (13 marks for correct answers out of 14), some subjects scored slightly higher than others (n = 175; 57.4% of participants scored above 7, nearly over half of the correct answers, compared to n = 130; 42.6% scoring below 7). We found 132 individuals (44%) with risk scores of five or above (high risk for developing T2DM according to ADA). Smokers comprised n = 138, 45%, and nonsmokers comprised n = 148, 48%. Although 50.5% of the participants (n = 154) held a bachelor&rsquo;s, master&rsquo;s, or doctorate degree, these degrees did not improve the participants&rsquo; overall general knowledge levels. The association was tested using chi-squared analysis, but no significance was found. Conclusions: Random visitors to Jordanian community pharmacies are expected to benefit from awareness and educational campaigns. These test results revealed a lack of knowledge, indicating the need for education to dispel myths and highlight the serious risks associated with T2DM. The study discovered that participants&rsquo; understanding of diabetes disease prevention through lifestyle and dietary changes was inadequate. A specialist-led educational program may increase knowledge among visitors who participate. In order to prevent the spread of diabetes, more campaigns and health-promoting and prevention educational activities are required