Machine learning-assisted SERS-based dual-aptamer biosensor for ultrasensitive clinical screening of breast cancer.

Breast cancer remains a global health challenge, with an increasing number of cases necessitating innovative approaches to streamline patient management prior to treatment. In this study, we present a comprehensive aptamer-involved surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (aptamer-SERS)-based protocol specifically designed for large-scale clinical screening of the circulating protein MUC1 overexpressed in the majority of breast cancer cases. Central to our approach was a "sandwich" assay, where MUC1 was anchored between aptamer-functionalized bimetallic core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) and magnetic nanobeads.

Gender inequality in healthcare leadership: the challenges women face in breaking through the glass ceiling.

Background: Women comprise more than two-thirds of the academic medicine faculty and half of the general population in Pakistan, yet their representation in healthcare leadership roles remains disproportionately low.

Aim: The study aims to explore the experiences of Pakistani women in healthcare leadership positions to unravel the challenges they face in acquiring and sustaining leadership positions and to identify the factors that help them overcome these challenges.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews was conducted.

Liposarcoma of the Spermatic Cord With Signs and Symptoms Mimicking the Inguinal Hernia: A Rare Case Report.

Liposarcoma of the spermatic cord (LSC) is extremely rare; < 200 cases were reported in the medical literature. Because of the rarity of these tumors and their presentation as a painless inguinal or scrotal mass, preoperative diagnosis is uncertain and they are frequently misdiagnosed as inguinal hernias.

Using Label-Free Raman Spectroscopy Integrated with Microfluidic Chips to Probe Ferroptosis Networks in Cells.

Ferroptosis, a regulated form of cell death driven by oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, has emerged as a pivotal research focus with implications across various cellular contexts. In this study, we employed a multifaceted approach, integrating label-free Raman spectroscopy and microfluidics to study the mechanisms underpinning ferroptosis. Our investigations included the ferroptosis initiation based on the changes in the lipid Raman band at 1436 cm under different cellular states, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, DNA damage/repair, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Early-stage Alzheimer's disease profiling in blood achieved by multiplexing aptamer-SERS biosensors.

Neurological disorders are the second leading cause of death globally, with Alzheimer's disease (AD) emerging as a significant contributor, responsible for 276 million cases in disability-adjusted life years. Conventional diagnostic methods are often invasive, costly, and place a considerable strain on global healthcare systems. In this study, we presented an innovative and efficient strategy for AD assessment through blood profiling using a multiwell glass chip integrated with aptamer-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biosensors.

Burnout level evaluation of undergraduate dental college students at middle eastern university.

Background: Pressure faced by dental students from academic activities, clinical skills training, and patient care may lead to high stress and potential burnout, negatively impacting their well-being and patient safety.

Aim: The study aimed to explore the burnout level of dental students at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia and to identify the factors that are associated with the level of burnout.

Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Dental College, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia, from January to February 2024.

The frequency of rs116855232 and its impact on mercaptopurine-induced toxicity in Syrian children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Introduction: Polymorphisms in may result in differences in mercaptopurine-induced toxicity. This study aimed to identify the frequency of the (c.415C>T; rs116855232) polymorphism and investigate the effect of this polymorphism on mercaptopurine-induced toxicity in a population of Syrian patients with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Identification of novel laccase from cyanobacterium Microcystis flos-aquae and enhanced azo dye bioremediation potential.

Textile industries discharge up to 280,000 tons of dye waste annually, resulting in global pollution and health risks. In Nigeria and other African countries, persistent dyes threaten aquatic life and human health. This study introduces a cost-effective, enzyme-mediated bioremediation alternative using a novel laccase from the cyanobacteriumMicrocystis flos-aquae.

Self-reported preparedness of final year undergraduate dental students and interns in Saudi Arabia: a multi-institutional study.

Background: Contemporary undergraduate dental education aims to equip the dental students with clinical competence, empathy, and professionalism to enable them to deliver safe and effective dental care to the communities. The purpose of this study was to assess the self-reported preparedness of final year dental students and interns at three Saudi dental institutions, using the pre-validated Dental Undergraduates Preparedness Assessment Scale (DU-PAS).

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed to assess the self-reported preparedness of the participants using the DU-PAS.

Application of Aptamer-SERS Nanotags for Unveiling the PD-L1 Immunomarker Progression Correlated to the Cell Metabolic Bioprocess.

In recent years, the expression and progression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) as an immunomarker in the context of a cell metabolic environment has gained significant attention in cancer research. However, intercellular bioprocesses that control the dynamics of PD-L1 have been largely unexplored. This study aimed to explore the cell metabolic states and conditions that govern dynamic variations of PD-L1 within the cell metabolic environment using an aptamer-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) approach.

Unravelling the dilemma of self-medication in Egypt: a cross-sectional survey on knowledge, attitude, and practice of the general Egyptian population.

Background: Self-medication (SM) is a rising public health issue, especially in developing countries. It can be associated with various problems such as the delayed seeking of medical advice, drug interactions, and serious events such as antimicrobial drug resistance. We aimed to evaluate the Egyptian general population's knowledge, attitudes, and practices of SM.

An insight into the clinical learning environment of dental institutes: a study in the twin cities of Pakistan.

Objective: To assess the perceptions of dental students regarding their clinical learning environment in an urban setting.

Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted from March 2020 to May 2021 after approval from the ethics review committee of Islamic International Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan. It comprised of clinical year students, house officers and postgraduate trainees from 6 dental teaching hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Chemodiverse monoterpene indole alkaloids from Kopsia teoi, inhibitory potential against α-amylase, and their molecular docking studies.

Diabetes mellitus stands as a metabolic ailment marked by heightened blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin secretion. The primary aims of this investigative inquiry encompassed the isolation of phytochemical components from the bark of Kopsia teoi, followed by the assessment of their α-amylase inhibition. The phytochemical composition of the K.

Burnout level in Pakistani dentists during COVID-19 pandemic: Cross-sectional national study.

Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence and degree of Burnout during the COVID 19 pandemic in practicing Pakistani dentists.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted dental practices worldwide, leading to increased stress and burnout among dental practitioners. Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, can have detrimental effects on the quality of care and patient safety.

Self-efficacy and Online Learning Readiness of Undergraduate Dental Students in Pakistan During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between general self-efficacy and online learning readiness among Pakistani undergraduate dental students.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Riphah International University, Islamabad, between September 2020 and March 2021.

Levels of Genetic Variants Among Symptomatic Blastocystis Subtypes and their Relationship to Mucosal Immune Surveillance in the Precancerous Colons of Experimentally Infected Rats.

Purpose: The relationship between the genetic diversity of Blastocystis and immune surveillance in precancerous colons with blastocystosis is still under investigation. This study aimed to identify the genetic Blastocystis variants among 54 symptomatic human isolates and their relationship to mucosal immune surveillance in the precancerous polyps of experimentally infected rats.

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction and high-resolution melting (PCR/HRM) curves discriminated human symptomatic Blastocystis isolates into subtypes (STs)/intrasubtypes, which were orally administered to rats to induce experimental infection.

DFT-based Raman spectral study of astaxanthin geometrical isomers.

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid widely used in food additives, nutritional product and medicines, which shows many physiological functions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetic activities. It has been recognized that astaxanthin has all- and nine isomers, and these geometrical isomers have very different biological activities. The process of selective enrichment, metabolism and isomerization of astaxanthin in animals remains to be studied.

Highly Sensitive Detection of Elevated Exosomal miR-122 Levels in Radiation Injury and Hepatic Inflammation Using an Aptamer-Functionalized SERS-Sandwich Assay.

Radiation-induced organ injury is one of the major fallouts noticed during radiotherapy treatment of malignancies and other detrimental radiation exposures. MicroRNA (miRNA), which is involved in multiple critical cellular processes, is released from the cells of damaged organs in cellular vesicles, commonly known as exosomes. Specifically, exosomal miR-122 is reported to be actively involved in radiation-actuated rectal and hepatic injuries or inflammation.

Frequency of middle mesial canal in mandibular first molars and its association with various anatomic variables.

This study aimed to determine the frequency of the middle mesial canal in the mandibular first molars and its association with various anatomical features. Two experienced endodontists evaluated 149 CBCT images, containing n = 298 mandibular first molars and n = 298 mandibular second molars. Binary logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between the presence of middle mesial canal and other independent variables.

DFT and Raman study of all-trans astaxanthin optical isomers.

Astaxanthin (AST) is a xanthophyll carotenoid widely distributed in aquatic animals, which has many physiological functions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetic activities. AST has three optical isomers, including a pair of enantiomers (3S,3'S and 3R,3'R) and a meso form (3R,3'S). Different optical isomers have differences in a variety of physiological functions.

SERS Approach to Probe the Adsorption Process of Trace Volatile Benzaldehyde on Layered Double Hydroxide Material.

The study of the physicochemical process of volatile organic compound (VOC) adsorption on porous materials is significant for design and screening of adsorbent materials and treatment of VOCs. Traditional measurement methods for studying the adsorption process require lots of adsorbates and adsorbents and are time-consuming. We proposed a facile strategy to study the adsorption process of trace gaseous aldehydes on layered double hydroxide (LDH) using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).

Extent of spongiofibrosis and length of strictures: Findings at sonourethrography and urethroplasty.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to diagnose urethral stricture and to determine the extent of spongiofibrosis as well as the length of stricture using sonourethrography and compare it with intraoperative findings.

Patients And Methods: It was a cross sectional observational study from September 2017-August 2018. All patients who presented with urethral stricture, scheduled for urethroplasty, and consented to the study were enrolled.

A review of aptamer-based SERS biosensors: Design strategies and applications.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, due to its high sensitivity, unique vibrational fingerprint identification of molecules and easy operation, has been extensively applied in different fields. Aptamers, being the unique single stranded DNA/RNA sequences that can specifically recognize and seize the target analytes, combined with Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), can offer potent multiplex detection capacity with high specificity and sensitivity. In this review, we summarize and classify the general working strategies of different types of aptamer-based SERS biosensors with diversified protocols which either take aptamer conformational change as intrinsic reporter, or make use of various extrinsic Raman reporters in different sensor designs via on/off approach, sandwich-type and magnetic nanoparticles (NPs)-assisted approach, and catalytic reaction assisted approach with amplification of alternative Raman signals.