Introduction: Sinomenine, derived from Sinomenium acutum, has been reported as a potential treatment for morphine addiction but its mechanisms are poorly understood. Hence this study was conducted to investigate the potential mechanisms underlying sinomenine effects on morphine addiction. Materials and methods: Potential protein targets for sinomenine were predicted using SwissTarget Prediction and PharmMapper while morphine addiction targets were collected from DisGeNet and GeneCards databases. Protein-protein interaction was examined using GeneMANIA web server while Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were conducted using ShinyGO online tool. Topological network analysis was performed using Cytoscape to measure the degree centrality, betweenness centrality and closeness centrality values while molecular docking analysis was done using AutoDock Vina to determine the binding energies and interactions. Results: A total of 15 sinomenine targets were identified to be involved. Among the identified targets, 37.94% shared protein domains and 19.64% displayed physical interactions. Relevant biological processes, molecular functions, cellular components and signalling pathways were identified involving G-protein coupled opioid receptor signalling pathways and activities, integral component of presynaptic membrane and mitophagy. Molecular docking suggested that the substituted aromatic ring of sinomenine plays important roles in the binding to the protein targets. The top five most significant protein targets were identified based on the binding energies and degree centrality values, namely OPRD1, OPRK1, NOS1, OPRM1 and SRC. Conclusion: Sinomenine interacted with various protein targets and pathways which can potentially treat morphine addiction mainly via opioid receptors and their signalling pathways

Objective:To investigate the effect of Shenfu injection on serum pepsinogen (PG) Ⅰ, PG Ⅱ and gastrin 17 (G17) in sepsis patients with acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI).Methods:From June 2021 to December 2022, a single-center randomized controlled clinical study was conducted to select patients with sepsis complicated with acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) admitted to the ICU of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University. Patients were randomly (random number) divided into Shenfu group and control group. All patients were given routine treatment of sepsis according to the guidelines, including treatment of primary disease, fluid resuscitation and supportive management. The Shenfu group was treated with Shenfu injection at the same time as routine treatment. The gastrointestinal injury indicators (PGⅠ, PGⅡ, G17 and AGI grades) before treatment and on the 3rd and 7th days of treatment, and duration of mechanical ventilation and length of ICU stay of the two groups were recorded and compared.Results:A total of 89 sepsis patients with AGI were enrolled, including 44 patients in the Shenfu group and 45 patients in the control group. Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in serum PGⅠ, PGⅡ, and G17 between the two groups of patients (all P>0.05). On the 3rd day of treatment, the serum PGⅠ levels in the Shenfu group were significantly lower than the control group [(156.46±62.90) μg/L vs. (183.03±45.44) μg/L, P<0.05]. There was no statistically significant difference in serum PGⅡ and G17 levels between the two groups (both P>0.05). On the 7th day of treatment, the serum levels of PG I, PG II, and G17 in the Shenfu group were significantly lower than those in the control group [(107.97±23.18) μg/L vs. (154.78±33.11) μg/L, (10.73±5.62) μg/L vs. (13.83±6.30) μg/L, (7.31±3.20) pmol/L vs. (9.29±3.92) pmol/L, all P<0.05]. The AGI grading, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of ICU stay in Shenfu group were significantly reduced than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Shenfu injection can improve the serum gastric function, lower AGI grading, reduce mechanical ventilation time, and the length of ICU stay in sepsis patients with AGI.

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the pattern of condylar pressure distribution in the discs of a patient diagnosed with disc displacement without reduction. Materials and Methods: This research consisted of a pre- and post-test observational clinical study. A patient diagnosed with disc displacement without reduction underwent treatment with an occlusal splint for 3 months. Finite element analysis employed a 3-dimensional model constructed from magnetic resonance images of the patient, taken both before the application of the splint and 3 months after its use. Results: The post-test model demonstrated a decrease in condylar pressure on the disc, with measurements dropping to 72 MPa from the pre-test level of 143 MPa. In the pre-test, the pressure distribution pattern was concentrated on the lateral posterior border, whereas in the post-test, it shifted toward the intermediate zone of the disc. Conclusion Utilization of a stabilization splint for 3 months resulted in decreased pressure and a marked change in the pressure distribution pattern on the temporomandibular disc.

Objectives: Postmenopausal females often experience genitourinary symptoms like vulvovaginal dryness due to estrogen decline.Hormone replacement therapy is effective in alleviating vaginal atrophy and genitourinary syndrome in this population. Evaluate local estrogen’s safety and effectiveness for alleviating postmenopausal vaginal symptoms, including endometrial thickness, dyspareunia, vaginal pH, and dryness. Methods: We searched Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrial.Gov, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases until July 2023. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) linking intravaginal estrogen supplementation to vaginal atrophy or vaginitis were included. The risk of bias was evaluated with RoB 2, and publication bias was assessed using Egger and Beggs analysis. Results: All evidence pertains to females. Eighteen studies (n = 4,723) compared estrogen with placebo. Patients using estrogen showed a significant increase in superficial cells (mean differences [MD]: 19.28; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 13.40 to 25.16; I2 = 90%; P < 0.00001) and a decrease in parabasal cells (MD: –24.85; 95% CI: –32.96 to –16.73; I2 = 92%; P < 0.00001). Vaginal pH and dyspareunia significantly reduced in estrogen users (MD: –0.94; 95% CI: –1.05 to –0.84; I2 = 96%) and (MD: –0.52; 95% CI: –0.63 to –0.41; I2 = 99%), respectively. Estrogen did not significantly affect vaginal dryness (MD: –0.04; 95% CI: –0.18 to 0.11; I2 = 88%). Adverse events like vulvovaginal pruritis, mycotic infection, and urinary tract infection were reported, but the association was insignificant (risk ratio: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.88 to 1.02; I2 = 0%). Conclusions Our meta-analysis of 18 RCTs suggests promising potential for intravaginal estrogen therapy in alleviating vaginal atrophy and vaginitis in postmenopausal females.

Objective: The study examined the efficacy of various generations of cephalosporins against biofilms developed by pathogenic S. aureus and E. coli. Methods: The development of biofilms by both bacteria was assessed using petri-plate and microplate methods. Biofilm hydrolysis and inhibition were tested using first to fourth generations of cephalosporins, and the effects were analyzed by crystal violet staining and phase contrast microscopy. Results: Both bacterial strains exhibited well-developed biofilms in petri-plate and microplate assays. Cefradine (first generation) showed 76.78% hydrolysis of S. aureus biofilm, while significant hydrolysis (59.86%) of E. coli biofilm was observed by cefipime (fourth generation). Similarly, cefuroxime, cefadroxil, cefepime, and cefradine caused 78.8%, 71.63%, 70.63%, and 70.51% inhibition of the S. aureus biofilms, respectively. In the case of E. coli, maximum biofilm inhibition (66.47%) was again shown by cefepime. All generations of cephalosporins were more effective against S. aureus than E. coli, which was confirmed by phase contrast microscopy. Conclusions and Relevance: Cephalosporins exhibit dual capabilities of hydrolyzing and inhibiting S. aureus and E. coli biofilms. First-generation cephalosporins exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against S. aureus, while the third and fourth generations significantly inhibited E. coli biofilms. This study highlights the importance of tailored antibiotic strategies based on the biofilm characteristics of specific bacterial strains.

The technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate (99mTc-MDP) whole-body bone scan along with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) can detect challenging soft tissue uptake patterns. We present a case of a 67-year-old female in whom the 99mTc-MDP scan, performed 3 hours after injection, revealed abnormal soft tissue uptake in the right thoracic region. No functioning right kidney was seen in the right lumbar region. Hybrid SPECT/CT revealed an ectopic right kidney in the subdiaphragmatic location, accompanied by gut loops and eventration of the right-sided diaphragm. This case underscores the value of SPECT/CT in identifying and characterizing unexpected anatomical abnormalities, such as ectopic kidneys.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is a significant contributor to the disease burden in geriatric patients. Underlying systemic inflammation is thought to be the cause of age-related changes in the bone marrow and a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. The purpose of the study was to assess the accuracy of these hematological biomarkers in predicting 30-day mortality in older patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of 601 older adult patients (age > 60 years) with ACS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention over two years (2017-2019). The relationship between baseline hematological parameters and mortality was assessed during the 30-day follow-up. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were done to evaluate for diagnostic accuracy of various hematological parameters. RESULTS: The mean age of presentation was 77 ± 17 years. The mean neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) value was 5.07 ± 4.90 and the mean platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) value was 108.65 ± 85.82. On univariate analysis, total leucocyte count [odds ratio (OR) = 0.85, P = 0.021], hematocrit (OR = 0.91, P = 0.018), NLR (OR = 1.10, P = 0.001) and PLR (OR = 1.05, P = 0.001) were associated with mortality. On receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, NLR predicted mortality with 68.1% and PLR with 65.7% accuracy. On multivariate analysis, NLR (OR = 1.096, 95% CI: 1.006-1.15, P = 0.035) was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS For the risk classification of all elderly ACS patients, we highly advise using NLR rather than the total white blood cell count.

Introduction: Burnout is a growing trend among medical students worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with burnout among medical students at a public university in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1st through 5th year medical students at a public university using a simple random sampling method in recruiting participants. In this study, The Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey for Student (MBI-SS) was used and burnout is defined as severely emotionally exhausted and severely depersonalised. Results: A total of 328 medical students were recruited with a with response rate of 88.6%. The burnout prevalence was 10.1%. Based on multivariate logistic regression, presence of smartphone addiction with adjusted (odds ratio (OR) 7.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.67, 32.49), course choice not based on personal interest or due to family pressure (OR 2.72, 95% CI = 1.08, 6.85) and the presence of family relationship problems (OR = 3.58, 95% CI = 1.27, 10.04) are more likely to be associated with burnout among the medical students. Conclusion: Our study has shown that every tenth medical students suffers from burnout. Medical students who are addicted to smartphone, have chosen medical course against individual interest or because of family pressure and have family relationship problems are at risk of getting burnout. Intervention is required to address this issue for the future well-being of medical students.

Introduction: Flooding has become a major natural disaster in Malaysia in recent decades. There may be a gender difference in many aspects related to flood response and practice. This study aimed to examine the gender gap in knowledge, attitudes, and practice of flood preparedness in Malaysia. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted among patients attending the primary care clinic at Universiti Sains Malaysia health campus, Kelantan. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: 328 subjects were recruited, 56.1% of them were females. The female respondents were younger than the males (36 vs. 41 years old). However, females have better knowledge, and practice on flood preparedness compared to male respondents. Among those, women were more aware of the local emergency plan than males (p=0.01). More female respondents kept their vaccination and personal medical records in a waterproof container or sealed plastic bag during past and future flood preparations (3-5 day supply of non-perishable food) than male respondents (p<0.05). In addition, with the practice of keeping a one-week supply of medication, and having their medical records in a waterproof container along with a first-aid kit (p=0.001). For future flood preparation, more women would filter the cloudy water through clean clothes for boiling (p=0.035). The determinants of good preparedness for future floods for female were older-age (p=0.001), blue-collar (p=0.043); whereas male were lower household income (p=0.014), being blue collar (0.014) and white collar (0.039) compared with student/retiree based on multivariate logistic regression. Conclusion: Our study reported that the determinants of good preparedness for future floods were older-age, blue-collar and having a lower-household income.

Introduction: Lumbar stabilization exercises may improve core stability and reduce low back pain among older persons. However, the evidence is scarce. The objective of this study was to update evidence on the effectiveness of lumbar stabilization exercises on pain, disability, and functional performance among older persons with low back pain. Methods: This systematic review retrieved articles from PubMed, MEDLINE (via EBSCO), PEDro, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect published from 2005 to 2020. The selected articles were scored using the McMaster Critical Review Form for Quantitative Studies for quality assessment. The data was extracted based on the study design, sample size, inclusion criteria, intervention, outcome, and conclusion. Results: A total of 2349 articles were found but only two articles met the inclusion criteria with both showing excellent scores on the McMaster Critical Review Form for Quantitative Studies. The findings showed lumbar stabilization exercises alone or combined with other interventions were effective in reducing pain intensity, and improving disability, and gait functional performance among older persons with low back pain. Conclusion: The current study suggests lumbar stabilization exercise is effective for pain, disability, and functional performance among older persons. However, further investigation is needed to gain more conclusive evidence for clinical practice.