Subthreshold Current Suppression in ReS2 Nanosheet-Based Field-Effect Transistors at High Temperatures.

Two-dimensional rhenium disulfide (ReS2), a member of the transition-metal dichalcogenide family, has received significant attention due to its potential applications in field-effect transistors (FETs), photodetectors, and memories. In this work, we investigate the suppression of the subthreshold current during the forward voltage gate sweep, leading to an inversion of the hysteresis in the transfer characteristics of ReS2 nanosheet-based FETs from clockwise to anticlockwise. We explore the impact of temperature, sweeping gate voltage, and pressure on this behavior. Notably, the suppression in current within the subthreshold region coincides with a peak in gate current, which increases beyond a specific temperature but remains unaffected by pressure. We attribute both the suppression in drain current and the presence of peak in gate current to the charge/discharge process of gate oxide traps by thermal-assisted tunnelling. The suppression of the subthreshold current at high temperatures not only reduces power consumption but also extends the operational temperature range of ReS2 nanosheet-based FETs.

Self-Medication Practices Among the General Population in Al-Baha City, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background The practice of self-medication (SM) is the use of self-consuming medication without consulting healthcare which carries its own risks. SM patterns differ across populations and are influenced by several factors. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of SM practices in Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia, to identify the factors contributing to this practice and develop effective strategies to decrease its occurrence and associated risks. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted in Al Baha Province, Saudi Arabia, over two weeks in July 2023, with a sample of 580 participants. Eligible participants were males and females, both Saudi and non-Saudi, aged 18-65. The data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire. Results Of all participants, 48.7% admitted taking medications without a healthcare practitioner's prescription in the last three months. Analgesics were the most common SM (29.1%), followed by vitamins and minerals (16.2%), and antipyretics (14.1%). The side effects experienced from SM included nausea (24.5%), headache (20.5%), and shortness of breath (8.7%). Regarding the source of medication, the majority (61.9%) obtained medications from a pharmacy and 14.6% used existing stock. Age was significantly associated with higher rates in the 18-29 and 40-49 age groups. Educational status was significantly associated with higher SM among graduates. Regarding reading medical instructions, 39.2% always read, 47.7% sometimes read, and 13.1% never read. Regarding antibiotic SM, 61 participants reported using over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotics. Common reasons for use included sore throat (27.8%) and common cold (19.6%). The most common reason for SM was to save time (25.9%), followed by avoiding crowds and long waits (17.1%). Conclusions A significant prevalence of SM practice concerning antibiotic misuse and sex differences with female dominance was detected. We recommend further public awareness activities from related organizations and more regulations for OTC prescription practices to ensure safe SM practices. In addition, further research is needed to explore SM patterns.

Immunomolecular Investigation of Human Papillomavirus Genotypes (16, 18) and P63 Expression in Patients with Malignant and Non-malignant Colorectal Tumors.

Cancer of the colon (colorectal cancer, or CRC) is the third most frequent malignancy in the world and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. Recent research has focused on the link between high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and the onset/development of several different types of cancer in humans. As a result, scientists are now paying more attention to HPV and CRC. In a variety of malignant tumors, P63 is overexpressed. This includes non-Hodgkin lymphoma and breast carcinoma, as well as lung, bladder, and prostate cancers. However, in accordance with the existence of many P63 isoforms in malignant tumors, the actions of P63 in these malignancies remain a source of debate. P63 immunohistochemistry expression in CRC tissues is being investigated as a possible etiological link between high-risk HPV types and CRC. This retrospective study intended to investigate if there was an etiological link between high-risk HPV types and CRC. It has utilized 92 chosen formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue block samples. The collected samples were divided into 62 blocks of colorectal adenocarcinoma mass tissues and 30 non-malignant colorectal tissues used as a control group. Chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) was employed to discover HPV DNA16/18 in colorectal tissues. The overall proportion of positive HPV16/18 DNA- CISH detection in the mass CRC group was 44.4%, whereas HPV16/18 DNA was obtained at 80.0% in the non-malignant control group. The overall proportion of positive P63-ISH detection in the CRC group was also 70.4%, whereas P63 was 73.3% in the non-malignant control group. The link between HPV infection and P63 expression in CRC might point to the importance of these molecules in the progression of CRC.

Chromogenic in Situ-Hybridization of HPV16/18 DNA in Relation to the Over-Expressed Protein of P73-Gene in Tissues from a Group of Thyroid Carcinoma.

Thyroid cancer has been related to many environmental, genetic, and viral factors. Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV) are epitheliotropic viruses infecting cutaneous and mucosal tissues, leading to a variety of benign and malignant tumors. The p73-gene expresses two important isoforms from the N-terminal end with two opposite activities in the regulation of cell fate. The present study aimed to assess the histopathological expression of tissues from thyroid cancers in relation to the over-expression of the p73 gene with HPV 16/18 infection. A total of 116 thyroid tissues were examined for HPV 16/18-DNA and P73-gene protein expression. The samples belonged to 36 patients diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma, 40 thyroid adenoma tissues blocks, and 40 apparently normal thyroid tissues. The detection of HPV 16/18-DNA was performed by in situ hybridization (ISH), whereas P73 gene expression was carried out by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The HPV16/18 DNA-ISH reactions in thyroid cancers were found in 72.2% tissues, 35% HPV16/18- positivity was detected in the thyroid adenoma tissues group, and 27.5% of healthy thyroid tissues revealed ISH reactions. Statistically, the difference of the HPV16/18 in thyroid cancers and control was highly significant. The p73 was detected in 66.7% and 57.5% of thyroid cancer and adenoma thyroid tissues, respectively, while 45% of the examined healthy thyroid tissues revealed IHC-reactions. The difference between the p73-protein expression percentages detected in tissues of thyroid tumors and the control group was non statistically significant. The presence of HPV16/18, as well as an over-expressed p73-gene, in thyroid cancer patients, suggests that the virus, as well as this protein, may play an etiologic role in thyroid carcinogenesis.

Molecular Interplay of John Cunningham Virus with Interleukin 1 Beta in Colorectal Carcinomatous Tissues from a Group of Iraqi Patients.

Colorectal cancer is ranked to have high mortality among most malignancies worldwide. In the adult population, the seroprevalence rates of the John Cunningham virus (JCV) range from 70% to 90%. Recently the association for JCV in many malignant tumours have been reported worldwide, including colonic and rectum cancers. Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) can promote tumour growth where it is abundant in the tumour microenvironment, and its up-regulation is considered a poor prognostic feature in different types of solid tumours, including colon malignancies. One hundred tissue biopsies belonged to 50 patients with colorectal cancers and 30 benign colonic tumour patients, and 20 colorectal control tissues were enrolled in this study. JCV was detected via chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH), while IL-1 beta was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The recorded data showed that 21 out of 50 (42%) tissue samples with colorectal carcinoma showed positive CISH reactions for JCV DNA in this study. The benign colorectal tumours group revealed positive signals in 2 out of 30 tissues representing 6.7% of this group. Lastly, no control tissues showed positive signals for the JCV -CISH test. The positive signals of IL-1 Beta-IHC detection were found in 26 out of 50 (52 %) colorectal carcinoma tissues, while in the benign colorectal tumour was 43.3% (13 out of 30) and in AHC was 20% (4 out of 20 tissues). The high rates of JCV infection in this group of Iraqi patients with colonic adenocarcinoma in concordance with IL-1 Beta expression could play an essential role in the development and progression of these malignant tumours along with benign colonic tumours. To analyze the concordant expression of IL-1 beta gene and JCV in issues from a group of Iraqi patients with colonic adenocarcinomas.

Assessment of Interleukin-13(rs20541) Genomic Polymorphism in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Relation to COVID19 Infection.

Elevated Interleukin-13 (IL-13) may play an important role in the pathophysiology of COVID-19, yet, the attenuated response did not notice across all severe cases. Susceptibility to asthma in specific populations is associated with several SNPs of multifunctional cytokines, such as IL-13, IL-31 and IL-33. This prospective case-control study is designed to investigate the extent of genetic susceptibility in subsets of Iraqi patients with COVID-19 by targeting the variants of interleukin IL-13rs20541 polymorphism in relation to disease susceptibility and severity of clinical presentation. One hundred samples were obtained from the throat, nasopharyngeal and nasal swabs enrolled in this study. Eighty samples of the throat, nasopharyngeal and nasal localization swabs were obtained from patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (both COVID-19 and non-COVID19 patients), while other 20 nasopharyngeal swabs were included as a healthy control group (AHC). Detection of IL-13rs20541 polymorphism was done by ARMS technique. The frequencies of GG- genotype in ARDS- patients with COVID-19, non-COVID19-, and AHC groups were respectively 14%, 12% and 3%, where, and as compared to the control group, showed a significant increase in COVID-19 patients. The AA- genotype in patients with COVID-19 group, non- COVID-19 group and healthy control group documented the frequency of 9%, 7%, and 14%, respectively, where the frequency decreased in the patient's groups as compared to the AHC group. Finally, and among the studied groups, an increase of AG- genotype (as rate OR=1.89) was documented compared to genotype GG and A-. Genetic polymorphisms in the IL-13rs20541 gene might influence its functions in patients with SARS-associated respiratory tract infection and thus might involve the pathogenicity of patients with COVID-19.

Extended lymphadenectomy for locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the value of extended (lateral) lymphadenectomy (EL) in the operative management of locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer. METHODS: Patients that underwent exenterative surgery for locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer between 2006 and 2009 were included in the study. A decision for EL was taken at the local multidisciplinary meeting based on the radiological findings. Perioperative and oncological outcomes were assessed and compared between the EL and non-EL group prospectively. RESULTS: Forty-one consecutive patients were included in the study (EL = 17). The median age was 57 (40-71) for EL and 66 (39-81) years for non-EL. Of patients, 27 (EL = 13) and 14 (EL = 4) underwent pelvic exenteration and abdominosacral resection, respectively. Twelve (EL = 7) patients were diagnosed with locally advanced primary rectal cancer. Thirty-one (EL = 12) patients received neoadjuvant radiotherapy. The median intraoperative time, blood loss and hospital stay were 9 h (3-13), 1.5 l (0.3-7) and 14 days (12-72), respectively, for the EL group, and 8 h (4-15), 1.6 l (0.25-17) and 14 days (10-86), respectively, for the non-EL (p ≥ 0.394). Morbidity was similar between the two groups (EL = 4, non-EL = 9; p = 0.344). Complete tumour resection (R0) was achieved in 30 (73.17%) patients, 12 (70.58%) in the EL group and 18 (75%) in the non-EL group (p = 0.649). There was no significant difference in 5-year survival (EL = 60.7%, non-EL = 75.2%; p = 0.447), local recurrence (EL = 53.6%, non-EL = 65.4%; p = 0.489) and disease-free survival (EL = 53.6%, non-EL = 51.4%; p = 0.814). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that EL does not provide a statistically significant advantage in survival or recurrence rates, for patients with locally advanced primary or recurrent rectal cancer.

RADIATION PROTECTION IN AN INTERVENTIONAL LABORATORY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF AUSTRALIAN AND SAUDI ARABIAN HOSPITALS.

This study aimed to investigate whether the use of protection devices and attitudes of interventional professionals (including radiologists, cardiologists, vascular surgeons, medical imaging technicians and nurses) towards radiation protection will differ between Saudi Arabian and Australian hospitals. Hard copies of an anonymous survey were distributed to 10 and 6 clinical departments in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia and metropolitan hospitals in Western Australia, respectively. The overall response rate was 43 % comprising 110 Australian participants and 63 % comprising 147 Saudi participants. Analysis showed that Australian respondents differed significantly from Saudi respondents with respect to their usages of leaded glasses (p < 0.001), ceiling-suspended lead screen (p < 0.001) and lead drape suspended from the table (p < 0.001). This study indicates that the trained interventional professionals in Australia tend to adhere to benefit from having an array of tools for personal radiation protection than the corresponding group in Saudi Arabia.

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines for appropriate use of colonoscopy: are they suitable for African patients?

This study investigates the appropriateness and diagnostic yield of colonoscopy referrals in an African setting using the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines: a prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional hospital-based study. A total of 311 patients were included in the study; 228 referrals (73.3%) were considered appropriate and clinically significant pathology was found in 157 patients, giving an overall diagnostic yield of 50.5%. Diagnostic yield in those with appropriate referrals was 58.8% and 27.7% (P = 0.004) in those with inappropriate referrals. In our setting these guidelines are useful in improving diagnostic yield and reducing the rate of inappropriate referrals for colonoscopy. However, patients above the age of 50 presenting with lower gastrointestinal symptoms should undergo a colonoscopy even if the indication was inappropriate, especially in countries which are not implementing colorectal cancer screening programmes for average risk patients.

Tumour suppressor p53 and Rb genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aberrations of the p53 and Rb tumour suppressor genes were examined in 12 human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-derived cell lines from different geographic areas and 9 local HCCs by restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP), polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphisms (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing. The relationships between genetic changes and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA integration in samples were compared. None of the cell lines and tumours showed structural changes in the Rb gene, while 6 cell lines and 2 tumours had mutation or deletion in exons 5 to 8 of p53. Mutations include an AGG --> AGT (Arg --> Ser) transversion at codon 249 in PLC/PRF/5 and Mahlavu, an AAT --> AAA (Asn --> Cys) transversion at codon 200 in TONG/HCC, an AAG --> GAG (Lys --> Glu) transition at codon 139 in HCC-T, a CAT --> CGT (His --> Arg) transition at codon 214 in SC4, and a CCC --> CTC (Pro --> Leu) transition at codon 250 in SC8. In Huh4, an 18-bp deletion from codon 264 to 270 resulted in loss of Leu-Gly-Arg-Asn-Ser-Phe from the amino acid sequences 265 to 270, whereas Hep3B had a 7-kb deletion after exon 7 of p53. Our data indicate that whereas Rb may not have pleiotropic effects on HCC, p53 aberrations are frequently involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. Further, HBV infection appears to be unrelated to the micro-genetic changes of p53. The G to T codon-249-mutation is consistent with HCCs arising from areas at high risk for both aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure and HBV infection.

Production of polyclonal antibodies in ascitic fluid of mice: technique and applications.

Balb/c mice immunised intraperitoneally with insulin developed significantly higher antibody concentrations in their serum than mice immunised subcutaneously. The antibody response was dose related, 50 ug amounts being more effective than either 20 ug or 5 ug amounts. In contrast, the antibody titres in the ascitic fluid of mice immunised with growth hormone were significantly higher after 5 ug when compared to 25 and 100 ug amounts. Repeated intraperitoneal injections of an emulsion of sheep IgG or human growth hormone in complete Freund's adjuvant, together with a single intraperitoneal injection of Pristane, induced ascites formation in most mice within 5 weeks. Up to 90 mL could be obtained from a single mouse by abdominal tapping, and the antibodies derived from the ascitic fluid proved suitable for application in a radioimmunoassay.

Effect of temperature on the radioiodination of human growth hormone.

Studies have been undertaken to assess the effect of altering the temperature at which human growth hormone is radioiodinated on the incorporation of 125 Iodine and the immunoreactivity and stability of the labelled hormone. Employing highly purified monomeric hormone it proved possible, by the iodogen procedure, to prepare a labelled product of high specific activity irrespective of temperature. However, in radioiodinations performed at ambient temperature (20 to 25 degrees) significant amounts of the labelled hormone were in an aggregated form which was less immunoreactive than the 125 Iodine-labelled monomeric hormone. Such aggregation was largely prevented by radioiodinating at low temperature (0 to 4 degrees) and even the large monomeric peak was more immunoreactive (about 95% bound in antibody excess) than the monomeric peak from iodinations performed at room temperature (maximum binding 87%, or less).