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Detection of extended-spectrum betalactamase and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Tunisia
No full textThe emergence of dramatic urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by the members of the Enterobacteriales is an important public health problem in the community as well as in Tunisian hospitals. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing uropathogenic isolates of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae). Based on decreased susceptibility to β-lactams antibiotics and analyzed for the presence of ESBL and carbapenemase genes by Real Time- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), 56 uropathogenic isolates of E. coli (n = 36) and K. pneumoniae (n = 20) were confirmed positive for ESBLs. The CTX-M-type β-lactamases were mostly detected in E. coli isolates (21 strains, 58.33% [95% CI 38.09% - 72.06%]) followed by blaSHV-like (18 strains, 50% [95% CI 32.92% - 67.07%]), blaTEM-like and blaCMY-2-like simultaneously (15 strains, 41.67% [95% CI 25.51% - 59.24%]). Furthermore, the RT-PCR system on the K. pneumoniae strains demonstrated that blaSHV-12-like was the most predominant (16 strains, 80% [95% CI 56.33% - 94.26%]) followed by blaTEM-like (14 strains, 70% [95% CI 45.72% - 88.10%]), blaCTX-M belonging to groups 9 and 1 (11 strains, 55% [95% CI 31.52% - 76.94%]) and finally blaCMY-2-like (10 strains, 50% [95% CI 27.19% - 72.80%]). In addition, E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains harbored a carbapenemase gene blaOXA-48-like with 22.2% [95% CI 10.11% - 39.15%]; 20% [95% CI 12.83% - 43.66%], respectively.Our results confirm the need to monitor the resistance to extended-spectrum β-lactams and to carbapenems among enterobacteria in Tunisia
Pomaded and unctuous- spindle cell lipoma
No full textSpindle cell lipoma and pleomorphic lipoma emerge as benign, adipocytic neoplasms representing a morphologic continuum of a singular neoplasm. In addition to myofibroblastoma and cellular angiofibroma, spindle cell lipoma or pleomorphic lipoma configures as a constituent of chromosome 13q/RB1 family of tumors. Initially scripted by Enzinger and Harvey in 1975 with an obsolete terminology of dendritic fibromyxolipoma, aforesaid adipocytic neoplasms articulate an estimated 1.5% of lipomatous tumors. In contrast to conventional lipoma, spindle cell lipoma or pleomorphic lipoma is an uncommonly discerned variant, demonstrating a proportion of 1: 60
Mercury toxicity and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
No full textRecent clinical, experimental and epidemiological studies report that ALS is thought possibly due to a multi-stage process, arising from a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, which alone or superimposed, perhaps on genetic polymorphism yet to be identified, may contribute to the incidence rate of sporadic ALS. In particular, a large amount of evidence suggests that mercury is toxic to motor neurons and may be a risk factor for ALS, playing a part in its pathogenesis. In fact, there have been case reports of ALS or ALS-like symptoms associated with mercury exposure, thus raising the possibility that mercury could be one of the non-genetic factors of the multistep process that is thought to underlie ALS. In order to give recent elucidations on the putative relationship between mercury exposure and ALS, we reviewed all the papers reported in the literature and published on Pubmed from 2006 to 2022. Despite a number of pathogenetic mechanisms that have been linked to mercury, evidence linking exposure to mercury to ALS is not consistent and discordant and, based on the evaluation of the articles, which emerged from our analysis that to date no convincing correlation between mercury and ALS has been established and no conclusive evidence has been enlightened suggesting increased mercury exposure is associated with ALS
Rejuvenation of Ovarian Function after Autologous Platelet Lysate Injection: Promising Evidence from Confirmed Cases
No full textIntraovarian injection of autologous Platelet Lysate (PL) can be considered a potential therapeutic strategy for ovarian function rejuvenation. Especially, in women diagnosed with Poor Ovarian Response (POR) or Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), the exogenous administration of the autologous platelet-derived growth factors, influence positively the regulation of the serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) and Estradiol (E2). Therefore, the evaluation of the serum levels of the aforementioned hormones was performed on 10 participants with a mean age of 43 ± 4 years diagnosed with POR or POI, who received intraovarian PL injection monotherapy. The monitoring of the serum hormone levels was performed for 3 months. The results of this study clearly showed that all participants were characterized by elevated levels of FSH and LH and reduced levels of E2 and AMH, prior to the PL injection. However, the levels of all hormones started to change after the 1st month of follow-up monitoring. Moreover, 40% of the participants conceived successfully either by natural way or after in vitro Fertilization (IVF). Considering these, the intraovarian injection of autologous PL exhibited promising evidence regarding the altering of hormone levels at physiological values. Moreover, the contained PL growth factors were implicated in angiogenesis promotion and also in toleration of the inflammatory microenvironment, regulating positively ovarian function. In conclusion, the intraovarian autologous PL injection is considered a safe, effective, and tolerable therapeutic strategy in women with POR or POI. Moreover, the results of this study were very encouraging, especially for the women with infertility issues, who want their genetic offspring
Women's Perceptions of Medical Treatment Versus Surgical Management of First-trimester Miscarriage
No full textBackground: Miscarriage is a common gynecological problem and early pregnancy loss occurs in the first trimester. Early pregnancy miscarriage is managed expectantly, surgically, and medically. Medical management is a new treatment option, also surgical evacuation is the standard treatment for some types and presentations of miscarriage. Medical management might be more suitable instead of surgical evacuation, it may be less costly than surgical treatment and consequently, due to its lower complications, most patients prefer it.Purpose: This study aimed to determine women's perception of medical treatment versus surgical intervention, complications associated with surgical procedures, and medical treatment.Methodology: It was a comparative, hospital-based study conducted in Bashair Teaching Hospital, on 336 patients diagnosed with miscarriage in the first trimester, 168(group A) were treated medically while 168(group B) were treated surgically. All participating patients in the study fulfilled the selection criteria, that is, the provision of an informed consent and agreement to participate in the study. Results: The total number of women during the period of study was 336. The study found that 239(71%) of women prefer medical management compared to 97 (29%) preferring surgery. The complications associated with the medical treatment were (4.2%) infection, (0.6%) bleeding, and (95.2%) without obvious complications. The complications associated with surgical procedures were (7.7%) developmental infection, (16.1%) bleeding, (10.7%) incomplete evacuation, (1.8%) uterine perforation, and (63.7%) without obvious complications.Conclusion: The study found that over two-thirds of patients Favor medical treatment over surgical procedures. It has also revealed that medical treatment is very effective in terminating pregnancies within the first trimester
Acceptance of Oral Sex among High School Students in Budapest: Incidence and Correlates
No full textIntroduction: Adolescents and young adults often engage in oral sex. However, the factors affecting the development of agreeing with oral sex are not clear enough.Objective: We aimed to assess the degree of agreement with oral sex among high school students and to search for background factors affecting this.Material and method: We conducted a quantitative cross-sectional study among 157 females and 38 male high school students over the age of eighteen by using an anonymous, paper-based, multiple-choice, self-administered questionnaire. For statistical analysis, we used descriptive statistics, two-sample t-tests, and Spearman rank correlation. Results: Of the respondents 67.9% were sexually active and 31.6% of them had more than one sexual partner. Of males 97.1% and of females 84.9% agreed with accepting oral sex. Degree of agreement with oral sex was higher in those who had had partnered sexual experience, and in those females who more frequently met close friends outside of school. Most participants were not in a current relationship with a partner, and for those who were, its duration did not affect the degree of accepting oral sex. The degree of agreement with the proficiency in male sexuality, and the degree of agreement with those dimensions of sexuality that most expressed the sexual drive and the desire to gratify it with the partner showed the strongest positive correlation with the degree of agreement with oral sex. In addition, the degree of agreement with the items of expressing sexual openness showed correlations with the degree of accepting oral sex. Conclusion: The degree of agreement with oral sex is high among high school students. Among the factors influencing this, the intensity of meeting friends seems to be important. We therefore recommend that the schools improve sex education in groups, highlighting the risks of oral sex, to reach the target individuals and their friends as well as their potential partners
Current Situation of Municipal Solid Waste Management in the Urban and Peri-urban of Phnom Penh, Cambodia
No full textCurrently, the amount of solid waste is increasing in the world, especially in developing countries. Although Solid Waste Management (SWM) involves and collaborates with many stakeholders, management is still flawed. SWM in the urban and suburbs of Phnom Penh has encountered a number of obstacles and challenges. Seeing these problems, the government has decided to reform the solid waste management in Phnom Penh in 2019. After the reform, the provision of waste collection, transportation, and cleaning services in urban and peri-urban has changed significantly, while the urban and peri-urban receive collection services 95% and 80%, respectively. To be more precise one study on the current situation of SWM in urban and peri-urban Phnom Penh was conducted to understand the current situation and to identify challenges of SWM for the urban and the peri-urban in Phnom Penh. Two kinds of data were collected 1) preliminary data was collected from interviewing people in target areas by using structured questionnaires, and 2) secondary data was obtained from existing various sources. 330 respondents were selected with qualitative and quantitative analysis by using SPPS 28.0.1.1 and Microsoft Excel 2019. People use plastic bags instead of bins, triggers, and bags to store the waste.79.5% of the people are willing to pay the collection fee. It was found that the situation of SWM is better, however, the collection time is still blurred. SWM in Phnom Penh has faced four main challenges: financial, road infrastructure, landfill, and people's participation. SWM in urban and peri-urban, still have some problems such as the packaging and storage of the waste. and the problem of scavengers tearing the waste bags makes the garbage clutter
Modeling the Risk of Liver Cancer in Adults: A Machine Learning Investigation into the Role of Obesity and Overweight
No full textBackground: Liver cancer is a global health concern, with overweight and obese individuals exhibiting an increased risk of its development. Understanding the interplay between obesity-related factors and liver cancer incidence is crucial for early prediction and intervention.Aim: The aim of this investigation was to construct and validate an extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) based machine learning model for the purpose of establishing a one-year liver cancer risk prediction system specifically tailored to overweight and obese patients. In addition, this study sought to compare the predictive performance of the XGBoost model with those of a random forest model and a logistic regression model, while also identifying the most influential predictive features for liver cancer incidence.Methods: A comprehensive retrospective analysis was conducted on MIMIC III data comprising 2,354 patients. To predict the risk of liver cancer development, three machine learning models were developed: XGBoost, random forest, and logistic regression. Feature selection was executed using a stepwise regression procedure encompassing both forward selection and backward elimination.Results: The stepwise regression technique unveiled 14 predictive factors for liver cancer incidence. Among the patient cohort, 132 individuals developed liver cancer within a year of follow-up, while 2,222 did not. Notably, most liver cancer cases occurred in male patients (60%). Statistically significant differences were observed between patients with liver cancer and those without, in terms of age, gender, total bilirubin, platelet, albumin, chloride, potassium, sodium, prothrombin time (PT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The XGBoost model exhibited an impressive area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 99%, Random Forest (RF) of 99%, and Logistic Regression (LR) of 90%. In a multivariate analysis, total bilirubin, creatinine levels, age, gender, ALT, alkaline phosphate (ALP), PT, calcium, and chloride emerged as independent predictors for liver cancer incidence.Conclusion: The XGBoost model demonstrated superior predictive performance when compared to the RF and LR models. If corroborated through prospective studies, the XGBoost model may prove to be a valuable tool for the early prediction of liver cancer risk in overweight or obese individuals. Such predictive capabilities could, in turn, facilitate the implementation of timely preventive interventions against liver cancer
Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Industries: Revolutionizing Healthcare
No full textThe drug and biopharmaceutical enterprises play a pivotal part in transforming healthcare through the incident and delivery of creative cures and remedies. This item explores the key facets of these areas, stressing their impact on healthcare.Pharmaceuticals, outlined as wealthy secondhand in the diagnosis, situation, or stop of disease, aim to restore, correct, or refine everyday functions. On the other hand, biopharmaceuticals (or biologicals) circumscribe sugars, proteins, nucleic acids, living containers, or tissues and are curative devices that arise natural beginnings to a degree persons, animals, or microorganisms. In contrast to common pills combined with synthetic processes, biopharmaceuticals are primarily acquired through unaffected processes, containing extraction from living constructions or production utilizing alteration of genetic material Table 1.• Some usual biopharmaceuticals, originally gleaned from animals or persons, are immediately created through biotechnological advancements.• For instance, healing insulin, previously gleaned from porcine pancreatic islets, is immediately made utilizing alteration of genetic material in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) or E. coli.• Biopharmaceuticals caused by alteration of genetic material usually fall into three classifications:• Substances nearly equal to the body’s own key signaling proteins.• Monoclonal antibodies look like those caused by apiece human immune plan against bacteria.• Receptor builds (fusion proteins) established uniformly happening receptors connected to the immunoglobulin frame.Examples includeFrom living systems: Whole blood and ancestry parts, organs and fabric transplants, stem containers, antibodies for inactive immunization, polluted microbiota, human bosom milk, and human reproductive containers.Produced by recombinant DNA: Blood determinants, fabric plasminogen activators, hormones, hematopoietic growth determinants, interferon, interleukin-located produce, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, tumor loss determinants, therapeutic enzymes.• Key dispute Pharmaceutical manufacturing• Biopharmaceuticals• Healthcare strike• Innovative medicines• Therapeutic fragments• Recombinant DNA technologies• Personalized cure• Gene medicines• Regulatory processes
Challenges of Novice Nurse Educators’ Transition from Clinical Practice to Academia in Ghana: A Qualitative Study
No full textBackground: The recruitment of experienced clinical nurses into vacant faculty positions is a global strategy for preparing, employing, and retaining competent nurse educators. As clinical nurses transition to academia, many struggle with unique challenges that affect their adaptation to the academic setting. Thus, understanding novice nurse educators’ transitional challenges is critical to addressing this threat. Aim: This study aimed to explore the challenges of novice nurse educators’ transition from clinical practice to academia in Ghana. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study design was employed for this study. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 12 novice nurse educators from three health training institutions in the Upper East Region of Ghana. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data through in-depth individual interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed.Results: Four themes emerged: poor administrative support, poor preparation, increased workload and stress, and role ambiguity. Novice nurse educators lacked formal orientation, formal mentorship, formal education in teaching, and post-graduate education. Novices were also challenged by increased workload and role ambiguity. Conclusion: Supporting novice nurse educators' transition from clinical practice would be better served by college administrators’ creation and implementation of formal orientation and mentorship programs