Medicine
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Galectins are a family of endogenous mammalian lectins involved in pathogen recognition, killing, and facilitating the entry of microbial pathogens and parasites into the host. They are the intermediators that decipher glycan-containing information about the host immune cells and microbial structures to modulate signaling events that cause cellular proliferation, chemotaxis, cytokine secretion, and cell-to-cell communication. They have subgroups that take place in different roles in the immune system. The effect of galectin-8 on multiple sclerosis disease (MS) has been studied in the literature, but the results seemed unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine anti-galectin-8 (anti-Gal-8) levels in MS and their potential use as biomarkers. ⋯ This study examined anti-Gal-8 levels in MS patients. The relationship between MS and galectin-8 and anti-Gal-8 levels in patients needs further clarification. As a result, the study's results could help elucidate the pathogenesis of MS and give more evidence for diagnosis.
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The large gap between the demand for, and the supply of organs worldwide makes promoting organ donation an important global social issue. Even after someone has signed a consent form or registered for organ donation, ethically, the hospital still requires a family member's written permission before organ donation can proceed. As a result, a family member rather than the patient makes the final decision. ⋯ Attitude toward organ donation and behavioral knowledge of organ donation correlated significantly with a willingness to sign a consent form. This study found that family support and organ donation attitudes were important factors in predicting the willingness to sign a consent form for the organ donation of hypothetical patients. The study provides evidence that nurses and healthcare staff need to consider family support and educate families on organ donation to encourage potential donors to accept and agree to organ donation.