Khaled D Khalil

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Rats put on a high-salt diet developed elevated blood pressure, and those given the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG daily for eight weeks had significantly lower blood pressure readings than untreated high-salt rats. The probiotic also repaired intestinal lining damage, improved blood chemistry, and shifted the gut microbiome composition back toward the pattern seen in healthy rats. These results support the idea that gut bacteria play a role in blood pressure regulation and that probiotics could complement standard treatments for early-stage hypertension.

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This study mapped how a protein called tensin3 binds to talin, a key anchor protein that connects cells to the surrounding tissue scaffold. Two specific binding sites on talin turned out to be essential for forming the adhesion structures that cells use to lay down fibronectin fibers in connective tissue. The work also revealed that the tensin3-talin connection controls whether tensin3 forms liquid droplet-like condensates inside cells — a process that helps cells sense and respond to changes in tissue stiffness.

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A survey of 353 university students in Lebanon found that 44% had moderate-to-severe anxiety and 41% had moderate-to-severe depression. Higher religiosity was independently linked to lower levels of both conditions, while being female, having health problems, heavy social media use, and physical inactivity were linked to worse mental health. The results suggest that mental health programs in Lebanon should account for the protective role of religion and the benefits of physical exercise.

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The study introduces mA-UNet, a streamlined artificial-intelligence model designed to accurately identify individual cell nuclei in microscopy images, a task where existing models struggle with very small or crowded structures. On a standard benchmark dataset, it outperformed all competing models, reaching a 95.5% accuracy score. The model was also implemented directly on a programmable chip, demonstrating it can run efficiently on dedicated hardware rather than requiring a large server.

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This meta-analysis pooled data from 37 trials and 8,533 patients to compare remimazolam with the standard sedative propofol during digestive endoscopy. Remimazolam caused fewer episodes of low blood pressure, slow heart rate, breathing problems, and low oxygen levels, while getting patients sedated just as quickly and completing procedures in similar time. It offers a safer sedation option for routine gastrointestinal procedures, though some variation across trials limits how definitive these conclusions are.

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Researchers fed common carp four diets combining the probiotic Bacillus coagulans and the brown seaweed Dictyota dichotoma to see whether the combination outperformed either ingredient alone. Fish given both at the highest seaweed dose grew faster, converted feed more efficiently, had stronger immune responses, and showed better antioxidant capacity than control fish. The results point to this pairing as a practical, natural feed additive for fish farming.

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This paper describes a new security system for connected self-driving vehicles that uses physical unclonable functions — hardware-level fingerprints that are unique to each device — to verify a vehicle's identity without exposing user data. The approach was built and tested on programmable chip boards (FPGAs), achieving over 98.5% reliability and resisting attacks such as identity fraud and unauthorized data access. The low hardware footprint means it could realistically be deployed in real vehicles without heavy computing overhead.

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Researchers in Beirut reviewed 159 pregnancies to see how well first-trimester ultrasound catches birth defects before the standard second-trimester scan. Structural abnormalities were found in nearly 1 in 5 pregnancies, most often affecting the brain or heart, and 61% of those cases ended in prenatal or early neonatal death. The findings support using early ultrasound as a routine tool and confirm that taking folic acid before conception reduces the risk of malformations.

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Interviews with the first three living recipients of pig kidney transplants revealed that all three experienced a renewed sense of hope compared to their lives on dialysis. Recipients emphasized that trust and clear communication with their medical teams were essential, and they felt psychologically prepared for the possibility that the transplant might fail. These insights can guide the development of decision-support tools and educational materials for future xenotransplant candidates.

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A gene-edited pig kidney was transplanted into a brain-dead human and kept functioning for a planned 61-day study using only standard approved anti-rejection drugs. The kidney maintained stable electrolyte balance and eliminated the need for dialysis, but antibody-mediated rejection emerged on day 33 and was reversed with plasma exchange and complement inhibition. The study shows a minimally modified pig kidney can sustain human-equivalent kidney function and identifies pre-existing immune cells reactive to pig tissue as a key obstacle to long-term success.

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Researchers studied how the human immune system reacts to a pig kidney transplant in a brain-dead human. They found that specific immune cells in the blood increased significantly, leading to rejection of the kidney by day 33 after the transplant. This research is important because it helps identify ways to improve the success of pig organ transplants in humans, potentially addressing the shortage of available human organs for transplantation.

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Researchers mixed zinc oxide nanoparticles into a biodegradable polymer film at three different concentrations and measured how this changed the film's ability to conduct electricity and store electrical charge. Adding nanoparticles reduced the energy needed for electrons to move through the material, with a 10% loading producing the best conductivity improvement, while a 15% loading caused nanoparticle clumping that partially reversed the gains. This combined experimental and computational study maps out how nanoparticle concentration can be tuned to engineer the electrical properties of cellulose-based materials for electronic applications.

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Two children were diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis — a rare inflammatory disease of blood vessels — using updated classification criteria that helped confirm the diagnosis even when standard blood tests were negative in one case. One child had limited skin and ear involvement while the other had extensive multi-organ disease. The cases underscore that this disease can look very different in children and that a thorough, scored diagnostic workup is needed to catch it early and avoid delays in treatment.

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A survey of 345 women who gave birth at a hospital in Sudan's Gadarif State during the ongoing war found that 90% were satisfied with prenatal care despite attending a median of only four visits, often starting later than recommended. The main barriers to accessing care were lack of privacy at facilities and unpredictable operating hours, with transport difficulties and no night-shift staff also cited. Improving service consistency and addressing privacy concerns are the most actionable steps to increase timely prenatal care uptake in conflict-affected settings.

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A retrospective study of 118 women with advanced ovarian cancer in Pakistan compared survival outcomes between those who had surgery within six weeks of completing chemotherapy versus those who waited longer. There was no statistically significant difference in progression-free survival or overall survival between the two groups. Moderate delays between chemotherapy completion and surgery do not appear to harm outcomes, giving clinical teams flexibility in scheduling this complex procedure.

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Researchers genetically modified channel catfish to overexpress a cell-death gene specifically in the cells that give rise to sperm and eggs, creating fish that develop little or no reproductive tissue. About half of male fish and a third of females in the first generation showed severely reduced gonad development. This sterilization technology addresses a key barrier to commercializing transgenic fish by preventing them from reproducing with wild populations.

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This study challenged the standard assumption that electrospun plastic scaffolds used in tissue engineering must be bead-free, testing whether deliberately introducing bead structures in PLGA fiber membranes affects how well cells grow on them. Membranes with beads actually became more water-friendly over time and allowed cells to penetrate deeper into the scaffold, while cell growth rates and viability were similar across all membrane types. Bead-containing PLGA scaffolds may offer practical advantages for certain biomedical applications without compromising cell compatibility.

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A case-control study measured blood levels of the stress-response protein GDF-15 in 50 patients with widespread plaque psoriasis and 50 healthy controls. GDF-15 was significantly elevated in psoriasis patients, with higher levels correlating with more severe skin disease, longer disease duration, and the presence of metabolic syndrome. The findings suggest GDF-15 could serve as a blood marker linking psoriasis severity to its associated metabolic complications.

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This review examines why immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs, which release the brakes on the immune system to attack cancer, work well in some patients and cancer types but fail in others. By analyzing clinical trial data and public cancer gene databases, the authors map out which biomarkers — including PD-L1 expression and genetic mutations — best predict response rates that range from under 20% in bladder cancer to over 39% in melanoma with combination therapy. A cost-effective patient-stratification framework based on these biomarkers is proposed to guide treatment decisions within a precision medicine approach.

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This review surveys how nanotechnology-based devices that detect sound waves produced by light pulses — photoacoustic biosensors — are being engineered to monitor cancer treatment in real time and at depths unreachable by standard optical imaging. Key advances include gold nanostructures that amplify signals, fiber-optic probes for minimally invasive imaging, and hybrid systems that combine multiple detection modalities. The convergence of these sensors with artificial intelligence is positioned to enable personalized, real-time cancer treatment monitoring in future clinical settings.

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Researchers created fibrous membranes by spinning a biodegradable polymer containing bone mineral material and a natural anti-inflammatory compound called Resolvin D2, then tested them in a lab model of dental pulp inflammation. The membranes were non-toxic, supported cell attachment and growth, and those loaded with Resolvin D2 significantly reduced levels of two key inflammatory proteins compared to membranes without it. This material design could form the basis of a new therapeutic approach for treating inflamed dental pulp caused by decay or injury.

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Researchers used nanoparticles made from chia seeds to encapsulate antioxidant-rich extracts from pomegranate and onion peels, then tested the coatings on raw chicken burgers. The encapsulated extracts inhibited bacterial growth and oxidative spoilage more effectively than the raw extracts, extending the practical shelf life of the meat. Chia seed nanoparticles are introduced here as a novel food-grade delivery vehicle that improves both the stability and effectiveness of plant-based preservatives.

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Blood samples from 100 patients with warts resistant to all standard treatments were compared to 100 patients whose warts had cleared, measuring levels of two immune proteins — ERAP1 and ERAP2 — that help the immune system recognize and destroy virus-infected cells. Both proteins were significantly lower in the treatment-resistant group, and lower levels correlated with having more warts and more recurrences. Measuring these proteins in blood could help identify patients unlikely to respond to standard wart therapies and who may need immune-focused treatments.

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The superficial ulnar artery is a rare variation in forearm anatomy where a major vessel runs just under the skin rather than deep to the muscle, making it vulnerable to accidental injury during routine procedures or trauma. A literature review of 21 clinical studies plus a new case of nerve and artery injury documented the range of complications that occur when this variation goes unrecognized. Surgeons and emergency physicians working on the forearm should be aware of this variant to avoid unintentional damage.

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Five well-established probiotic bacterial strains were grown in lab culture and the natural antimicrobial compounds they secreted — called postbiotics — were collected and tested against a panel of harmful bacteria. The postbiotics from Lactobacillus plantarum and L. acidophilus were the most potent, killing E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus at rates above 85%, and remained active after heating to 121°C and one month of refrigerated storage. These stable, heat-resistant compounds show promise as natural food preservatives that could reduce reliance on synthetic additives.

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This paper models the performance of a miniaturized Michelson interferometer — a device that uses light interference to measure tiny physical changes — when its flat internal mirrors are replaced with curved ones. Curved mirrors boosted useful light output by more than three times compared to flat mirrors, though they narrowed the device's spectral resolution window. The trade-off analysis provides practical design guidance for engineers building compact interferometers for applications such as medical imaging or gas sensing.

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A 45-year-old obese woman had persistent headaches and ear noises typical of raised pressure in the skull but no visible swelling of the optic nerve on standard tests, delaying her diagnosis. Ultrasound of the optic nerve sheaths showed they were abnormally wide on both sides, prompting MRI and a spinal tap that confirmed elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure. The case demonstrates that ultrasound measurement of the optic nerve sheath is a quick, non-invasive bedside test that can flag raised intracranial pressure even when the usual eye-examination finding is absent.

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Using a U.S. database of over 123,000 matched patients, researchers found that obese adults aged 75 and older who had their first-ever screening colonoscopy had a colorectal cancer rate of 0.08%, compared with 0.52% in unscreened patients — a more than threefold difference. All-cause mortality was also nearly half as high in the screened group, and serious complication rates were low and comparable between groups. Colonoscopy screening after age 75 reduces cancer risk and death with acceptable safety, even in obese older adults.

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Surveys of over 160 transplant pharmacists and nurses across North America found that insurance company rules requiring transplant patients to use specific specialty pharmacies routinely delayed hospital discharge and the start of medication in more than 60% of cases. Many patients paid out of pocket just to leave the hospital when insurance overrides were not possible. These mandates add significant cost and risk for transplant recipients and place unnecessary burden on healthcare teams.

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This study looked at the immune response in human recipients who received heart transplants from specially modified pigs. The researchers found that the transplanted hearts showed early signs of immune reaction, including mild inflammation and changes in the heart's blood vessels, within just 66 hours of the transplant. Understanding this immune response is crucial because it can help doctors manage and monitor pig-to-human heart transplants better in the future.

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A 68-year-old man with a known history of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma was admitted for worsening leg swelling that the referring team attributed to skin infection, and plans were made for surgery including possible amputation before a dermatology consultation led to a biopsy confirming the diagnosis was cancer, not infection. Prompt recognition changed his treatment entirely — he was discharged on targeted cancer therapy and improved. The case illustrates how a common-looking skin condition can conceal lymphoma and why dermatologists should be consulted early for stubborn or unusual skin presentations.

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This paper describes a laboratory radar imaging system designed to detect internal structures inside biological samples without cutting them open, as a proof-of-concept step toward non-invasive stroke detection. After testing the system on vegetable phantoms such as potatoes, the microwave imaging technique successfully resolved internal features at sub-centimeter resolution across a 26-centimeter imaging area. Further work is needed before the approach can be applied to the human brain, but these early results confirm the physical feasibility of the concept.

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Researchers used quantum chemistry calculations to test whether the molecular cage of calix[4]arene could capture chlorinated and fluorinated compounds — refrigerants and solvents that are toxic environmental pollutants. Chlorinated compounds, especially chloroform and carbon tetrachloride, formed the strongest and most stable complexes inside the cage. The findings suggest calix[4]arene-based materials could be developed as effective filters for removing these hazardous chemicals from contaminated water.

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This brief report describes the sequenced genome of a drug-resistant Mannheimia haemolytica strain isolated from a dairy cow with uterine infection. The 4.8 megabase genome carries 50 antibiotic resistance genes and 52 virulence genes, marking the strain as a potential threat to cattle health and a reservoir of resistance. The genome sequence provides a reference for tracking this pathogen and its resistance genes in livestock populations.

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Using computer modeling, researchers studied how a bowl-shaped molecule called calix[4]arene wraps around twelve common organic solvents to form inclusion complexes. All complexes were energetically stable, with DMSO forming the strongest bond, and the electronic properties of calix[4]arene shifted measurably depending on which guest molecule was inside. Understanding these interactions lays groundwork for designing calix[4]arene-based materials that selectively capture or sense specific chemicals.

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The study compared three methods of measuring eye pressure in 205 Egyptian glaucoma patients and found that the non-contact air-puff device produced readings closely matching the gold-standard Goldmann applanation tonometer. The Schiotz tonometer also showed acceptable agreement. The air-puff device can be confidently used for glaucoma screening and monitoring, including in community or rural settings where the gold-standard device may not be available.

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Among 137 elderly patients scheduled for heart or aortic surgery, frailty was present in 13 to 43 percent depending on which measurement tool was used, and frail patients identified by two specific tools — the Fried Frailty Phenotype and the Clinical Frailty Scale — were significantly more likely to die or experience a serious complication within 30 days. Both tools performed equally well at predicting bad outcomes. Routinely screening surgical candidates with these two tools could identify patients who need extra pre-operative preparation.

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Researchers measured a small RNA molecule called miR-1275 in blood-derived vesicles from 50 liver cancer patients and 50 healthy controls, finding that levels were significantly lower in cancer patients and dropped further with more advanced disease. As a standalone diagnostic marker, miR-1275 outperformed standard blood tests like CEA and CA199, and combining it with other markers pushed accuracy close to the top of the measurable range. A blood test based on miR-1275 could improve early detection and help predict outcomes in liver cancer patients.

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A survey of 386 medical students across five Sudanese universities found that gender did not predict how much students procrastinated academically — contrary to a common assumption. Being married, having a job, and lower income were the factors most strongly linked to higher procrastination. Interventions aimed at reducing academic delay among medical students should address economic pressures rather than targeting gender differences.

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A survey of 260 poultry farmers in northern Bangladesh found that while about two-thirds knew vaccines existed, less than half understood that vaccines prevent diseases that can spread from animals to humans, and fewer than a third followed good vaccination practices. Older male farmers with hands-on broiler experience and formal vaccination training were most likely to have both knowledge and good practices. The results call for targeted training programs to close these gaps and reduce disease risk on farms.

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A 15-year review of 37 women treated for immature ovarian teratoma — a rare cancer most common in young women — found that 81% were alive at a mean follow-up of 43 months despite a 31.5% recurrence rate. Early-stage disease was most common, and fertility-preserving surgery produced good outcomes. For patients who relapsed, a combination of repeat surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy successfully controlled most recurrences.

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A retrospective study of 397 patients who had hip replacement surgery after a hip fracture found that only half survived five years and fewer than one in three reached ten years. Early death was more likely in men, patients on blood thinners, those with poor mobility or multiple health conditions, and those who developed medical complications after surgery. Optimizing the factors that can be controlled — such as the type of anesthesia, transfusion decisions, and coordinated geriatric care — offers a practical path to improving survival.

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This study used brain imaging and simultaneous heart rate recordings from two independent groups of middle-aged adults to examine whether heart rate variability (HRV) — a measure of cardiovascular health — explains the well-known observation that brain signal variability decreases with age. Windows of time when individuals had higher HRV also showed higher brain signal variability across most of the brain, suggesting the heart is partly driving fluctuations in brain activity. Researchers should account for HRV when studying age-related changes in brain function to avoid misattributing cardiovascular effects to neural aging.

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Researchers sequenced the genome of a drug-resistant E. coli strain isolated from a urinary tract infection in Pakistan and compared it to 73 other Pakistani E. coli genomes. The strain belonged to the globally spreading ST131 lineage and carried multiple antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors. The findings highlight the urgent need for better antibiotic stewardship and genomic surveillance in Pakistan to contain this high-risk bacterial clone.

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Clinical research draws large volumes of blood from study subjects, but most blood collected for routine clinical tests goes unused and is discarded after analysis. In a 61-day xenotransplant experiment, researchers collected leftover clinical samples from the hospital lab twice weekly, recovering enough plasma to supply 62% of all research plasma needs without taking additional blood from the subject. This recycling approach can meaningfully reduce unnecessary blood loss in patients enrolled in intensive research studies.

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This study tracked how donor-reactive immune cells behaved during a 61-day pig-to-human decedent kidney transplant. Specific T cell clones that attack pig tissue were detected expanding in blood and the organ, and innate immune cells also contributed to rejection. The findings clarify the combined immune barriers that must be overcome before pig-to-human transplants can succeed in living patients.

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Researchers transplanted a pig kidney-thymus combination into a deceased human and tracked the immune response over 61 days. T cells from the recipient infiltrated the organ and specific clones expanded in blood, tissue, and lymph nodes around rejection events. This reveals that T cell-driven rejection of pig organs in humans closely mirrors what happens with human-to-human transplants, informing how future immunosuppression strategies must be designed.