IR4.0 and internet of things: future directions towards enhanced connectivity, automation, and sustainable innovation

This study provides a systematic review of the literature on the fourth industrial revolution (IR4.0) and the internet of things (IoT) in genetics, informatics, and biotechnology, as well as their many rapidly evolving applications, which often overlap with various aspects of life. The study reviews the latest research, books, scientific theses, and official websites in this field, placing them in a coherent context for researchers. It covers innovations that have driven the continuous development of IR4.0 and its challenges. The study highlights numerous fields and modern technologies expected to bring about tangible and radical changes in health, agriculture, and industry. It addresses key aspects of IR4.0 and the significant advancements brought by smart cities, and most importantly, artificial intelligence (AI), including robots, autonomous cars, 3D printing, big data, IoT, nanotechnology, biotechnology, energy storage, and quantum computing. By applying cutting-edge technology across various disciplines to boost productivity and foster development, technology plays a crucial role in linking the physical, digital, and biological realms. This revolution is built on multiple axes, including the convergence of biotechnology, digital media, and physical systems

The Association of Fetal and Maternal Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Serum Levels with Selected Fetal and Maternal Characteristics

Rawan A Obeidat,1 Abeer M Rababa’h,2 Shahd Alguzo,1 Baraa Sakee,1 Shereen Hamadneh,3 Eman Alshdaifat,4 Ahmed Alhusban2 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 3Department of Maternal and Child Health, Al Al-Bayt University, Mafraq, Jordan; 4Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, JordanCorrespondence: Rawan A Obeidat, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are placental glycoproteins involved in angiogenesis and vascular regulation during pregnancy. Dysregulation of these markers has been linked to complications such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated maternal and fetal serum levels of TSP-1 and VEGF and their associations with clinical characteristics.Methods: We studied 438 pregnant women with singleton live pregnancies between 28– 40 weeks of gestation. Women with fetal anomalies were excluded. Serum levels of TSP-1 and VEGF were measured using enzyme immunoassay. Group comparisons were performed using the Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests, and correlations were analyzed using Spearman’s test.Results: Median maternal and fetal TSP-1 levels were 5.1 [2.6– 7.4] ng/mL and 4.7 [2.3– 8.9] ng/mL, respectively. Fetal TSP-1 levels positively correlated with maternal TSP-1 (r = 0.27, p < 0.000) and fetal VEGF (r = 0.21, p < 0.000). Lower fetal TSP-1 was observed in women with diabetes mellitus (1.9 vs 4.7 ng/mL, p = 0.042) and higher levels in those with small-for-gestational-age fetuses (8.5 vs 4.7 ng/mL, p = 0.036). Median maternal and fetal VEGF levels were 37.2 [33.3– 42.5] pg/mL and 148 [62.9– 247.8] pg/mL. A positive correlation was found between maternal and fetal VEGF (r = 0.24, p < 0.000). Lower maternal VEGF was associated with chronic hypertension, gestational diabetes, preterm premature rupture of membranes, and use of methyldopa or metformin. Fetal VEGF was higher in mothers taking thyroxine (220 vs 142.7 pg/mL, p = 0.018) and lower during established labor (114.1 vs 165.5 pg/mL, p = 0.038).Conclusion: Maternal and fetal levels of TSP-1 and VEGF were significantly correlated and influenced by clinical and pharmacologic factors, supporting their potential utility as early biomarkers of pregnancy complications and maternal-fetal health.Registration: Research Registry (UIN: researchregistry6781), April 30, 2021.Keywords: thrombospondin 1, VEGF, diabetes, hypertension, biomarkers, pregnanc

Levosimendan Efficacy and Safety : 20 Years of SIMDAX in Clinical Use

Levosimendan was first approved for clinical use in 2000, when authorization was granted by Swedish regulatory authorities for the hemodynamic stabilization of patients with acutely decompensated chronic heart failure (HF). In the ensuing 20 years, this distinctive inodilator, which enhances cardiac contractility through calcium sensitization and promotes vasodilatation through the opening of adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium channels on vascular smooth muscle cells, has been approved in more than 60 jurisdictions, including most of the countries of the European Union and Latin America. Areas of clinical application have expanded considerably and now include cardiogenic shock, takotsubo cardiomyopathy, advanced HF, right ventricular failure, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac surgery, critical care, and emergency medicine. Levosimendan is currently in active clinical evaluation in the United States. Levosimendan in IV formulation is being used as a research tool in the exploration of a wide range of cardiac and noncardiac disease states. A levosimendan oral form is at present under evaluation in the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. To mark the 20 years since the advent of levosimendan in clinical use, 51 experts from 23 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine) contributed to this essay, which evaluates one of the relatively few drugs to have been successfully introduced into the acute HF arena in recent times and charts a possible development trajectory for the next 20 years.Peer reviewe

Human Signaling Scaffold Protein (mAKAP) Polymorphisms: Role in Heart Failure

Protein kinase-A (PKA) substrate phosphorylation is facilitated through its co-localization with its signaling partner by A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs). mAKAP (muscle-selective AKAP) localizes PKA and its substrates such as phosphodiesterase-4D3 (PDE4D3), ryanodine receptor and protein phosphatase (PP2A) to the cardiomyocytes sarcoplasmic reticulum and perinuclear space. We have recently identified potentially important human mAKAP coding non-synonymous polymorphisms located within or near key protein binding sites critical to β-adrenergic receptor signaling. Three mutations (P1400S, S2195F and L717V) were cloned and transfected into a mammalian cell line for the purpose of comparing whether those substitutions disrupt mAKAP binding to both the PKA or PDE4D3 binding domain and understanding their role in altered signaling. Our immunopreciptation study of mAKAP-P1400S, a mutation in the mAKAP-PDE4D3 binding site, displayed a significant reduction in binding affinity to PDE4D3 after stimulation, with no significant change in PKA binding and activity. Conversely, mAKAP-S2195F, a mutation located in mAKAP-PP2A binding site and flanking PKA-RII binding domain, showed significant increase in both binding affinity to PKA as well as PKA activity. Although, mAKAP-L717V (a mutation flanking the mAKAP-spectrin repeat domain) exhibited an enhanced binding propensity to PKA, it showed similar pattern of PKA activity as the wild-type mAKAP. All three mutations have similar total phosphodiesterase enzyme activity. Binding results were quantified using surface plasmon resonance (Biacore-2000). We demonstrated specific binding of wild-type mAKAP to PDE4D3. Additionally, human mAKAP mutants S2195F and L717V displayed increased expression for downstream PKA substrates and hypertrophic markers such as CREB and calcineurin. These data suggest that S2195F or L717V-mAKAP may enhance cardiac hypertrophy through persistent binding of mAKAP to PKA. Furthermore, these mutants increased the phosphorylation of ERK5 compared to the wild-type mAKAP suggesting that mAKAP also orchestrates the cross-talk of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway with cAMP/PKA signaling pathways. Generally, PKA-PDE4D3-mAKAP complexes exemplify how protein kinases and phosphodiesterase may contribute in molecular signaling to dynamically normalize localized intracellular signaling. Consequently, comparative analysis of the binding responses of mutations to mAKAP could provide important information about how these mutations modulate signaling.Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department o

Perception of Inappropriate Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in older adults is a prevalent issue and associated with adverse health outcomes. There is limited evidence about older adults’ perception of PPI use and its associated side effects. This study aimed to examine the knowledge and awareness of older adults about PPI use and its side effects and willingness to stop PPI and its associated factors. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 120 older adults from three local healthcare centers located in Irbid, Jordan. Older adults’ perception of PPI use was measured by Patients’ Perceptions of Proton Pump Inhibitor Risks and Attempts at Discontinuation Survey. Results The majority of older adults were not familiar with any report linking PPI use with side effects, reported no concern related to the chronic side effects of PPI, and had not discussed the benefits and risks of PPI with their primary care providers (PCPs). Although a majority did not try to stop PPI, most older adults were willing to stop PPI due to its side effects, particularly if recommended by PCPs. Factors associated with long-term use of PPI included age, indication for gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), improvement of GERD symptoms, and being comfortable to reduce or stop PPI. Recommendations by PCPs to stop PPI (p = 0.049) and a greater level of concern about long-term side effects of PPI (p &lt; 0.0001) were the only two statistically significant predictors of previous attempts to stop PPIs. Conclusions Concern about PPIs is associated with attempts to stop PPI, particularly with PCPs’ recommendation. The risks and benefits of PPIs should be discussed with PCPs to avoid making inappropriate decisions regarding PPI therapy. The Long-term use of PPIs should be carefully evaluated.</jats:p

Oral Health survey at an air base in Jordan

The aim of this investigation was to assess the severity and prevalence of periodontal disease and dental caries in 507 subjects, ranging in age from 15 to 44 years, at an army air base in Jordan. Using the Community Periodontal Index for Treatment Needs [CPITN], it was found that prevalence of periodontal disease increased with age, but incidence of caries, gingivitis and calculus was alarmingly high in young adults [20-24 years]. Overall, the rate of decayed, missing and filled teeth [DMFT] is rising, a trend that has been noted in similar studies from other developing countries</jats:p

The prevalence, risk factors and lifestyle patterns of Jordanian females with premenstrual syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Aim: The study aims to assess factors associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and the frequency of using painkillers to relieve premenstrual pain. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 1580 premenopausal women. An online self-administered questionnaire consists of sociodemographics, and the diagnostic criteria using the Arabic Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (A-PMS). Results: The prevalence of PMS among Jordanian females was 94%. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between several factors, including BMI, family history of PMS, smoking, and herbal tea consumption and the psychological, physical and behavioral symptoms of PMS. Furthermore, analgesic use for pain relief and food cravings were significantly associated with psychological, physical and behavioral PMS symptoms. Conclusion: PMS is highly prevalent and affects women in different life aspects