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Background The timing of and risk factors for intestinal colonization with multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (MDRE) are still poorly understood in areas with high MDRE carriage. We determined the prevalence, timing, and risk factors associated with MDRE intestinal colonization among infants in southern Sri Lanka. Methods Women and their newborn children were enrolled within 48 h after delivery in southern Sri Lanka. Rectal swabs were collected from women and infants at enrollment and 4–6 weeks later. Enterobacteriaceae were isolated and identified as MDRE (positive for extended-spectrum β-lactamases or carbapenem resistant) using standard microbiologic procedures. We used exact methods (Fisher’s exact and Kruskal–Wallis tests) and multivariable logistic regression to identify sociodemographic and clinical features associated with MDRE intestinal colonization. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on selected MDRE isolates to identify phylogroups and antibiotic resistance-encoding genes were identified with NCBI’s AMRfinder tool. Results Overall, 199 post-partum women and 199 infants were enrolled; 148/199 (74.4%) women and 151/199 (75.9%) infants were reassessed later in the community. Twenty-four/199 (12.1%) women and 3/199 (1.5%) infants displayed intestinal colonization with MDRE at enrollment, while 26/148 (17.6%) women and 24/151 (15.9%) infants displayed intestinal colonization with MDRE at the reassessment. While there were no risk factors associated with infant colonization at enrollment, multivariable analysis indicated that risk factors for infant colonization at reassessment included mother colonized at enrollment (aOR = 3.62) or reassessment (aOR = 4.44), delivery by Cesarean section (aOR = 2.91), and low birth weight (aOR = 5.39). Of the 20 MDRE isolates from infants that were sequenced, multilocus sequence typing revealed that 6/20 (30%) were clustered on the same branch as MDRE isolates found in the respective mothers. All sequenced isolates for mothers (47) and infants (20) had at least one ESBL-producing gene. Genes encoding fosfomycin resistance were found in 33/47 (70%) of mothers’ isolates and 16/20 (80%) of infants’ isolates and genes encoding resistance to colistin were found in one (2%) mother’s isolate. Conclusions Our results suggest that a substantial proportion of infants undergo MDRE intestinal colonization within 6 weeks of birth, potentially due to postnatal rather than intranatal transmission.

We evaluated the syphilis reverse sequence algorithm (RSA) in a Veteran Affairs facility, finding 5.5% reactive Treponema pallidum enzyme immunoassay (EIA) tests. In a subset of EIA+/VDRL-/TP-PA+ cases, 48% were previously treated. Of veterans with unknown/no prior therapy, only 45% had documentation of subsequent treatment, suggesting suboptimal interpretation of RSA results.

Context: A ureteral stricture is a serious complication of ureteroscopy (URS) that was reported in the literature in highly variable rates from 0.2% to 24%. Aims: Our aims are to estimate the incidence and to detect the risk factors of ureteral stricture after URS. Settings and Design: This is a prospective, case-series study. Materials and Methods: During the period from May 2015 to August 2016, 251 adult patients underwent 263 URS for the treatment of 304 ureteral stones. Postoperative regular follow-up was done for 12 months by ultrasound. Computed tomography urography and diuretic renogram were performed for the cases developed hydronephrosis to confirm and detect the level of the stricture. Statistical Analysis: IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 19.0, Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. used for data analysis. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare between qualitative variables. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare between two quantitative variables in case of nonparametric data. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done to measure the risk factors. P value was considered statistically significant when <0.05. Results: The mean age was 43.5 years (standard deviation [SD]: ±13.6), and the mean body mass index was 28.39 (±3.96). The mean total stone burden was 12.8 mm (SD: ±5.9). Bilateral URS was performed in 12 cases. The mean operative time was 54.8 min (SD: ±22.68). Initial and final stone-free rates were 83.3% and 100%, respectively. The overall complications rate was 28.1%. Stricture occurred in four cases (1.5%). Conclusions: In our experience, the incidence of post-URS ureteral stricture is low. The impacted stone is the most common cause of URS complications and hence stricture formation.

Microalgae have garnered scientific interest for their potential to produce bioactive compounds. However, the large-scale industrial utilization of microalgae faces challenges related to production costs and achieving optimal growth conditions. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the potential role of exogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) application in improving the growth and production of bioactive metabolites in microalgae. To this end, the study employed different concentrations of exogenously administered IAA ranging from 0.36 µM to 5.69 µM to assess its influence on the growth and biochemical composition of Synechocystis and Chlorella. IAA exposure significantly increased IAA levels in both strains. Consequentially, improved biomass accumulation in parallel with increased total pigment content by approximately eleven-fold in both strains was observed. Furthermore, the application of IAA stimulated the accumulation of primary metabolites. Sugar levels were augmented, providing a carbon source that facilitated amino acid and fatty acid biosynthesis. As a result, amino acid levels were enhanced as well, leading to a 1.55-fold increase in total amino acid content in Synechocystis and a 1.42-fold increase in Chlorella. Total fatty acids content increased by 1.92-fold in Synechocystis and by 2.16-fold in Chlorella. Overall, the study demonstrated the effectiveness of exogenously adding IAA as a strategy for enhancing the accumulation of microalgae biomass and biomolecules. These findings contribute to the advancement of microalgae-based technologies, opening new avenues to produce economically important compounds derived from microalgae.

Lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and development of novel lung cancer preventive and therapeutic agents are urgently needed. Brassica nigra (black mustard) seeds are commonly consumed in several Asian and African countries. Mustard seeds previously exhibited significant anticancer activities against several cancer types. In the present study, we have investigated various cellular and molecular mechanisms of anticancer effects of an ethanolic extract of B. nigra seeds against A549 and H1299 human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. B. nigra extract showed a substantial growth-inhibitory effect as it reduced the viability and clonogenic survival of A549 and H1299 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. B. nigra extract induced cellular apoptosis in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion as evidenced from increased caspase-3 activity. Furthermore, treatment of both A549 and H1299 cells with B. nigra extract alone or in combination with camptothecin induced DNA double-strand breaks as evidenced by upregulation of γH2A histone family member X, Fanconi anemia group D2 protein, Fanconi anemia group J protein, ataxia-telangiectesia mutated and Rad3-related protein. Based on cell cycle analysis, B. nigra extract significantly arrested A549 and H1299 cells at S and G2/M phases. Additionally, B. nigra extract suppressed the migratory and invasive properties of both cell lines, downregulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), MMP9, and Snail and upregulated the expression of E-cadherin at mRNA and protein levels. Taken together, these findings indicate that B. nigra seed extract may have an important anticancer potential against human lung cancer which could be mediated through simultaneous and differential regulation of proliferation, apoptosis, DNA damage, cell cycle, migration, and invasion.

Background Researches on the effect of hemodynamic stabilization on the implantation of conservative management for pediatric high-grade renal traumas are lacking. We aimed to assess the effect of maintaining the initial hemodynamic stability of pediatric patients with grades 3–5 renal trauma on the implementation of the conservative treatment and identify its defining factors. Methods A prospective study was performed on pediatric patients with grade 3–5 renal traumas who presented to our hospital during July 2020–June 2022. Hemodynamically stable patients were compared with the unstable patients for clinical characteristics, hemodynamic stabilization, and rates of success of conservative treatment. Results Forty-three patients were studied, including 26 boys and 17 girls. Of them, 28 (65.1%) patients presented with hemodynamic stability and 15 (34.9%) patients were unstable. Overall, 32 (74.4%) patients achieved and/or maintained hemodynamic stability for conservative management. There was a significant difference in blood pressure level at presentation (p < 0.001). The improvement of the hemodynamic parameters was significant per group and, in comparison (p < 0.001). The size of hematoma was significantly smaller in patients with hemodynamic stability (p = 0.023). Despite the longer (p = 0.033) hospital stay with conservative management, the rates of blood transfusion (p = 0.597) and hospital stay (p = 0.785) were not significantly different between both groups. The rates of nephrectomy and mortality were 14% and 0%, respectively. Blood pressure was independently associated with the achievement of maintained hemodynamic stability for conservative management (p = 0.022). Conclusions Hemodynamic stabilization seems to be effective and safe for implementing successful conservative management for pediatric patients with high-grade renal traumas. Blood pressure was the only independent factor of maintaining hemodynamic stability.

Hyperuricemia was linked to diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and oxidative stress, and could be induced by higher fructose consumption through altering energy status in liver. l‐Carnitine is an antioxidant, affecting mitochondria and cellular energetics; however, little is known about its effects in hyperuricemic states. This study investigated metabolic and hepatic effects of hyperuricemia and fructose feeding, and demonstrated the role of l‐Carnitine in such states. Fifty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, untreated hyperuricemic, fructose‐supplemented hyperuricemic, l‐Carnitine‐treated hyperuricemic, and l‐Carnitine‐treated fructose‐supplemented hyperuricemic groups. The separated plasma was used for determination of the glycemic control, lipid profile, liver function tests, uric acid level, and oxidative stress markers. Atherogenic index, HOMA‐IR, and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Left liver lobe and left kidney specimen from all groups were used for histopathological studies. Hyperuricemic rats exhibited significantly hypoalbuminemia, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress compared to the controls. Fructose‐supplemented hyperuricemic group showed obesity and more deleterious effects, as well as, steatosis, and renal tubular damage compared to the hyperuricemic rats. Concomitant l‐Carnitine treatment with hyperuricemia improved such effects, despite causing adiposity. While combined l‐Carnitine treatment and fructose supplementation in hyperuricemia limited the aggressive hyperuricemic picture of fructose supplementation. It is concluded that hyperuricemia has detrimental metabolic and hepatic effects. Artificial fructose supplementation worsened such effects, while l‐Carnitine was efficient in ameliorating these hyperuricemia and/or excess fructose‐induced hyperuricemia effects, through its anti‐inflammatory, antisteatotic, and antioxidant properties. Hyperuricemia has detrimental metabolic and hepatic effects. Artificial fructose supplementation worsened such effects, while l‐Carnitine was efficient in ameliorating these hyperuricemia and/or excess fructose‐induced hyperuricemia effects, through its anti‐inflammatory, antisteatotic, and antioxidant properties.

Microalgae have garnered scientific interest for their potential to produce bioactive compounds. However, the large-scale industrial utilization of microalgae faces challenges related to production costs and achieving optimal growth conditions. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the potential role of exogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) application in improving the growth and production of bioactive metabolites in microalgae. To this end, the study employed different concentrations of exogenously administered IAA ranging from 0.36 µM to 5.69 µM to assess its influence on the growth and biochemical composition of Synechocystis and Chlorella. IAA exposure significantly increased IAA levels in both strains. Consequentially, improved biomass accumulation in parallel with increased total pigment content by approximately eleven-fold in both strains was observed. Furthermore, the application of IAA stimulated the accumulation of primary metabolites. Sugar levels were augmented, providing a carbon source that facilitated amino acid and fatty acid biosynthesis. As a result, amino acid levels were enhanced as well, leading to a 1.55-fold increase in total amino acid content in Synechocystis and a 1.42-fold increase in Chlorella. Total fatty acids content increased by 1.92-fold in Synechocystis and by 2.16-fold in Chlorella. Overall, the study demonstrated the effectiveness of exogenously adding IAA as a strategy for enhancing the accumulation of microalgae biomass and biomolecules. These findings contribute to the advancement of microalgae-based technologies, opening new avenues to produce economically important compounds derived from microalgae.

With the introduction of integrated approach in the medical curriculum, there is a need to teach basic sciences in a way relevant to real clinical scenarios. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of case-based learning (CBL) for teaching of medical biochemistry to a large number of medical students. It also evaluates both the students’ and faculty members’ perception of this approach. CBL was introduced in teaching medical biochemistry in the Neuroscience block for the second-year medical students. This study’s students were from two consecutive academic years (n = 721 and 769). Four clinical cases were prepared. Students were divided into subgroups, each having one CBL session every 2 weeks. Students were encouraged to work together to understand the given clinical scenario by building on past knowledge obtained through other teaching modalities and new knowledge acquired during the session. A pretest was administered at the beginning of the session, and an identical posttest administered at the end of the session. Perception of both the students and facilitators of the CBL-teaching approach was evaluated using end-of-block questionnaires. In both studied academic years, students got higher scores in posttest compared to pretest scores with a statistically significant difference of the paired scores (P < 0.001). Analysis of the students’ questionnaire demonstrated that most students positively perceived the CBL approach, with a feeling that CBL has helped them learning the biochemistry concepts. Likewise, analyzing staff questionnaire revealed staff’s positive attitude toward the impact of CBL in teaching biochemistry on the students and on themselves. The current work suggests that CBL is both feasible and efficient to be applied for teaching medical biochemistry on a large scale. It is positively perceived by both students and teaching staff. Future work is still needed to solve certain challenges such as increasing work load on the faculty members and to test the impact of this teaching modality on long-term retention of knowledge.