PhageScanner: a reconfigurable machine learning framework for bacteriophage genomic and metagenomic feature annotation.

Bacteriophages are the most prolific organisms on Earth, yet many of their genomes and assemblies from metagenomic sources lack protein sequences with identified functions. While most bacteriophage proteins are structural proteins, categorized as Phage Virion Proteins (PVPs), a considerable number remain unclassified. Complicating matters further, traditional lab-based methods for PVP identification can be tedious. To expedite the process of identifying PVPs, machine-learning models are increasingly being employed. Existing tools have developed models for predicting PVPs from protein sequences as input. However, none of these efforts have built software allowing for both genomic and metagenomic data as input. In addition, there is currently no framework available for easily curating data and creating new types of machine learning models. In response, we introduce PhageScanner, an open-source platform that streamlines data collection for genomic and metagenomic datasets, model training and testing, and includes a prediction pipeline for annotating genomic and metagenomic data. PhageScanner also features a graphical user interface (GUI) for visualizing annotations on genomic and metagenomic data. We further introduce a BLAST-based classifier that outperforms ML-based models and an efficient Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) classifier. We then showcase the capabilities of PhageScanner by predicting PVPs in six previously uncharacterized bacteriophage genomes. In addition, we create a new model that predicts phage-encoded toxins within bacteriophage genomes, thus displaying the utility of the framework.

The Role of Transurethral BPH Surgeries in Management of Urinary Symptoms in Prostate Cancer Patients, Narrative Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) are two ubiquitous pathologies that may coexist. A significant percentage of patients with different stages of prostate cancer suffer lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to associated BPH. We aimed to review the literature regarding the role of transurethral surgeries in the management of prostate cancer patients and the different available management options. RECENT FINDINGS: The evidence in literature for the use of BPH surgeries in prostate cancer patients is based mainly on low-quality retrospective studies. In patients on active surveillance, BPH surgeries are beneficial in relieving LUTS without oncological risk and can eliminate the contribution of adenoma to PSA level. In patients with advanced prostate cancer, palliative BPH surgery can relieve LUTS and urinary retention with unclear oncological impact; however some reports depict that the need for BPH surgery in advanced prostate cancer is associated with poorer prognosis. In patients receiving radiotherapy, various studies showed that transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) is associated with increased radiotoxicity despite some recent reports encouraging the use of Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) to improve urinary symptom scores before radiotherapy. The most commonly reported techniques utilized are TURP, photoselective vaporization of prostate (PVP) and HoLEP. The use of BPH surgery is justified for relieving LUTS in selected prostate cancer patients on active surveillance or in advanced stages, however the use in the pre-radiotherapy settings remains controversial. Future prospective and randomized controlled trials are required for validating the benefits and assessing potential hazards.

Washing Illness Away: A Systematic Review of the Impact of Nasal Irrigation and Spray on COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Nasal irrigation is a common treatment for sinonasal disorders; however, it is unknown if it can reduce SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal viral load (NVL). This systematic review investigated the efficacy of nasal irrigation with saline, povidone iodine (PVP-I), and intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) at reducing SARS-CoV-2 NVL and transmissibility. DATA SOURCES: Databases including Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov. REVIEW METHODS: A systematic review was completed with pre-defined search criteria using keywords related to nasal irrigation and COVID-19 from 1946 through January 2024. This review followed PRISMA reporting guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO. Only in-vivo studies testing nasal irrigation with either saline, PVP-I, or INCS for reducing NVL were included. RESULTS: Nine out of ten studies on saline-based solutions reported positive effects in reducing NVL, with benefits noted in earlier time to negative nasopharyngeal PCR and a greater decline in NVL during early study time points, compared with controls. Isotonic and hypertonic saline mediums were found to be effective with three studies demonstrating enhanced efficacy with additives. Four out of seven studies on PVP-I showed a positive effect on reducing NVL, but results were heterogenous. Four studies demonstrated reduction of transmission with saline or PVP-I. No studies were found on INCS. CONCLUSION: Saline nasal irrigation showed the best efficacy in reducing SARS-CoV-2 NVL. Additives to saline may have a clinical benefit, but further studies are needed to elucidate their isolated impacts on NVL. Data on PVP-I is inconclusive and further studies are warranted to determine the ideal concentration for irrigation. Laryngoscope, 2024.

Hispidulin-rich fraction of Clerodendrum fragrans Wild. (Sesewanua) dissolving microneedle as antithrombosis candidate: A proof of concept study.

Existing conventional antithrombosis drugs have caused many side effects, opening up opportunities for the development of new thrombotic drugs. There is potential to use the hispidulin-rich fraction of sesewanua (HRFS) as a new antithrombotic. The oral route limitation of hispidulin, as a low water solubility and non-polar compound, can be addressed. This study explores the potential of HRFS in the form of dissolving microneedles (DMN). The formula was created using polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl pyrrolidone K-30 (PVP), and non-ionic surfactant. Ex vivo permeation studies found that 184.95 µg/cm2 of hispidulin was released 60 h after the best formulation. After 14 days of applying HRFS-DMN, the anticoagulant and antioxidant activity in male albino rats showed higher Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) and Prothrombin Time (PT) values and lower Inter Cellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) values. No statistically significant differences were found between the effects of two and four HRFS-DMN and the injection of heparin at a dosage of 200 IU per kilogram. However, notable distinctions were observed when comparing HRFS-DMN to negative controls, oral and quercetin as positive controls at anti-ICAM activity. The findings confirmed the feasibility of HRFS-DMN for thrombosis and its effectiveness in delivering Hispidulin (HIS) into the bloodstream. This DMN is non-irritating, safe, and painless, showing promising outcomes in enhancing the efficacy of thrombosis treatment via the transdermal route.

Experimental and clinical validation of an artificial intelligence metal artifact correction algorithm for low-dose following up CT of percutaneous vertebroplasty.

Background: Low-dose following up computed tomography (CT) of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) that involves the use of bone cement usually suffers from lightweight metal artifacts, where conventional techniques for CT metal artifact reduction are often not sufficiently effective. This study aimed to validate an artificial intelligence (AI)-based metal artifact correction (MAC) algorithm for use in low-dose following up CT for PVP. Methods: In experimental validation, an ovine vertebra phantom was designed to simulate the clinical scenario of PVP. With routine-dose images acquired prior to the cement introduction as the reference, low-dose CT scans were taken on the cemented phantom and processed with conventional MAC and AI-MAC. The resulting image quality was compared in CT attenuation, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), followed by a quantitative evaluation of the artifact correction accuracy based on adaptive segmentation of the paraspinal muscle. In clinical validation, ten cases of low-dose following up CT after PVP were enrolled to test the performance of diagnosing sarcopenia with measured CT attenuation per cemented vertebral segment, via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: With respect to the reference image, no significant difference was found for AI-MAC in CT attenuation, image noise, SNRs, and CNR (all P>0.05). The paraspinal muscle segmented on the AI-MAC image was 18.6% and 8.3% more complete to uncorrected and MAC images. Higher area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC analysis was found for AI-MAC (AUC =0.92) compared to the uncorrected (AUC =0.61) and MAC images (AUC =0.70). Conclusions: In low-dose following up CT for PVP, the AI-MAC has been fully validated for its superior ability compared to conventional MAC in suppressing artifacts and may be a reliable alternative for diagnosing sarcopenia.

Fabrication and performance evaluation of polyethersulfone membranes with varying compositions of polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol for textile wastewater treatment using MBR.

Various industries polluting the water bodies by discharging untreated wastewater directly into the environment and conventional wastewater treatments are often insufficient for effectively treating the pollutants. However, membrane bioreactors (MBRs) offer a promising solution for wastewater treatment where membrane serving as the heart of the system. In this study, polyethersulfone (PES) was used as the membrane material and hydrophilicity of the membranes were tuned up by mixing with hydrophilic additives such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and the membranes have shown promising results in treating wastewater, particularly in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and color removal. For example, PES-PEG membrane demonstrated COD, BOD, and color removal of 96 %, 94 %, and 92 %, respectively while those were 95 %, 94 %, and 92 %, respectively for PES-based commercial membrane. Although the performances of fabricated membranes were comparable to that of commercial membrane in COD, BOD, and color removal efficiencies, there is room for improvement in permeate yields. Notably, the average permeate efficiency for MBR modules produced with PES-3PEG and PES-5PVP membranes was recorded as 47 % (18 L/m2h) and 13 % (5 L/m2h) respectively of the commercial membrane (38 L/m2h). Despite the variance in permeate yields, the fabricated membranes also showcased significant efficacy in removing microorganisms, a crucial aspect of wastewater treatment. Their performance in this regard proved highly comparable to that of the commercial membrane, emphasizing the potential of these fabricated membranes in enhancing the wastewater treatment.

Hollow Screw Placement Combined with Percutaneous Vertebroplasty Serves as a Valuable Three-Column Intensive Treatment for Patients with Kummell's Disease and Pedicle Rupture.

Purpose: To introduce the surgical methods and clinical results of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) combined with hollow screw placement as a treatment for patients with Kummell's disease and pedicle rupture. Methods: From January 2020 to January 2023, a total of 10 patients with Kummell's disease and pedicle rupture confirmed via imaging underwent three-column intensive therapy using hollow screws combined with PVP. There were two males and eight females with an average age 75.7±6.11 years old. The time of operation, bone cement injection amount, bone cement leakage during operation were recorded. X-ray and CT were reexamined after operation. The improvement in quality of life was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the improvement in low back pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: Hollow screw placement combined with PVP was successfully performed in all patients. The average operation time was 39.2±5.1 min, and the average volume of bone cement injected was 5.85±0.83mL. No leakage of bone cement into spinal canal occurred.The mean preoperative ODI score was 75.70±4.39, but this decreased significantly postoperatively(P<0.05), being 37.70±6.95 at 1 day and 26.40±4.90, 23.70±4.87, 21.70±5.46, and 20.50±4.21 at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the operation, respectively. The mean VAS pain score before the operation was 8.35±0.63, but the symptoms of back pain were significantly relieved after operation(P<0.05). The mean VAS scores 1 day and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the operation were 3.45±0.47, 2.55±0.60, 1.89±0.48, 1.50±0.27, and 1.12±0.20, respectively. Conclusion: Hollow screw placement combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty serves as a valuable three-column intensive treatment for patients with Kummell's disease and pedicle rupture. This procedure has the advantages of minimal trauma, less pain and quick recovery. The strong anchoring of bone cement and hollow screws provides stable and firm healing conditions for vertebral and pedicle fractures.

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of nano-selenium prepared via gamma irradiation against cancer cell lines and bacterial species.

A recent scientific investigation has shown promising results of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) for the anticancer and antimicrobial activities. This study aims to evaluate the effects of PVP SeNPs on bacterial strains, including Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). Also, its antitumor activity against the MRC-5 carcinoma cell line. SeNPs were prepared via gamma irradiation using PVP as a capping agent, and their size and morphological structure were determined using HRTEM. The size of the SeNPs ranged from 36 to 66.59 nm. UV-vis spectra confirmed the formation of SeNPs, while FTIR measurement confirmed a change in the PVP structure after adding selenium nanoparticles. The highest effect was reported on HepG2 by an IC50 with a value of 8.87 µg/ml, followed by HeLa, PC3, MCF-7, and Caco2 cell lines, respectively. Furthermore, ZOI reached 36.33 ± 3.05 mm. The best value of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 0.313 µg/ml. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging against bacteria showed deformations and distortions in their structures. Transmission electron (TEM) revealed ultrastructure changes in treated bacteria because of the free radicals that made cytotoxicity which confirmed by Electron spin resonance (ESR).

Modelling insertion behaviour of PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidone) and PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) microneedles.

A comprehensive investigation into the effects of nonlinear material behaviour of polymeric (MN) and skin on the dynamics of the MN insertion in skin was undertaken in this study using experiments and numerical simulations. The nonlinearity of the material behaviour was incorporated by employing the Ramberg-Osgood and neo-Hookean equations for stress-strain relationships for the MN materials and skin, respectively. For this purpose, a characteristic type of dissolving MN array was selected. This type of MN is made by a combination of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). The numerical simulations were validated using experimental investigations where the MNs were fabricated using laser-engineered silicone micromould templates technology. Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and compression breaking force for the MN polymers were determined using a texture analyser. The alignment between experimental findings and simulation data underscores the accuracy of the parameters determined through mechanical testing and mathematical calculations for both MN materials (PVP/PVA) and skin behaviour during the MN insertion. This study has demonstrated a strong alignment between the experimental findings and computational simulations, confirming the accuracy of the established parameters for MNs and skin interactions for modelling MN insertion behaviour in skin, providing a solid foundation for future research in this area.

Effects of different drugs in combination with PKP/PVP on postoperative pain in patients with osteoporotic compression fractures: a network meta-analysis.

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the postoperative pain effect and clinical efficacy of different drugs combined with PKP or PVP in treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) through a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Methods: We searched five electronic databases, namely, MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials online, for the treatment of OVCFs through March 2023 with keywords zoledronic acid (ZOL), teriparatide (TPTD or PTH 1-34), and calcitonin (CT) combined with PKP/PVP. The visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were the primary outcomes of the network meta-analysis, and the secondary outcome was the diagnostic marker bone mineral density (BMD). Results: Eighteen studies involving 2,374 patients were included in this study. The network meta-analysis revealed that, in terms of reducing VAS scores, compared with PVP surgery alone, PVP combined with TPTD was most likely to be the treatment associated with the greatest pain relief [MD = -4.99, 95% CI = (-7.45, -2.52)]. In terms of reducing the ODI dysfunction score, compared with PKP combined with Cal, PKP combined with ZOL had the highest probability of being the best treatment option [MD = -9.11, 95% CI = (-14.27, -3.95)]. In terms of protecting against bone density loss, compared with PKP surgery alone, treatment with PKP combined with ZOL had the best effect [MD = 0.39, 95% CI = (0.13,0.65)]. Conclusions: Based on the network meta-analysis and SUCRA rankings, this study concluded that adding teriparatide has the advantage of reducing VAS pain scores compared with PVP alone and that adding zoledronate is a more effective treatment for reducing ODI scores compared with PKP combined with Cal and preserving BMD compared with PKP alone. However, additional high-quality studies are needed to verify our findings. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=358445, identifier CRD42022358445.

Multifunctional applications of seaweed extract-infused hydroxyethyl cellulose-polyvinylpyrrolidone aerogels: Antibacterial, and antibiofilm proficiency for water decontamination.

Establishing a reliable and secure water supply is still a significant challenge in many areas that need more infrastructure. Eliminating harmful bacteria from water systems is a critical obstacle to managing the spread of waterborne illnesses and protecting public health. Thus, this work focuses on enhancing the efficiency of using marine waste extract, namely seaweed, by its integrating its extract into aerogels based on Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVP). Four formulations were created with increasing concentrations of Padina extract (PE): PE-0, PE-1, PE-2, and PE-3 loaded HEC-PVP aerogels. PE-3 loaded HEC-PVP aerogel showed remarkable efficacy in completely deactivating several types of bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Enterococcus faecalis, and Bacillus subtilis. This antibacterial impact was seen within a short time frame of 75 min after treatment, making it the most significant outcome. Significantly, it had the greatest level of inhibition against E. coli (IZD: 24 mm) and showed potent inhibitory effects against S. enterica, E. faecalis, and B. subtilis, with IZD values of 18, 15, and 14 mm, respectively. These results indicate that the aerogel's ability to prohibite the harmfull microorganisms may be due to its surface qualities, which help release antimicrobial substances from the PE contained in the aerogel.

Potential of an Amphiphilic Artificial Corneal Endothelial Layer as a Replacement Option for Damaged Corneal Endothelium.

Bullous keratopathy, a condition severely impacting vision and potentially leading to corneal blindness, necessitates corneal transplantation. However, the shortage of donor corneas and complex surgical procedures drive the exploration of tissue-engineered corneal endothelial layers. This study develops a transparent, amphiphilic, and cell-free membrane for corneal endothelial replacement. The membrane, securely attached to the posterior surface of the cornea, is created by mixing hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate (EGDMA) in a 10:1 ratio. A 50 µL volume is used to obtain a 60 µm hydrophobic membrane on both sides, with one side treated with a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solution. The resulting membrane is transparent, foldable, biocompatible, amphiphilic, and easily handled. When exposed to 20% sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), the hydrophilic side of the membrane adheres tightly to the corneal Descemet's membrane, preventing water absorption into the corneal stroma, and thus treating bullous keratopathy. Histological test confirms its effectiveness, showing normal corneal structure and low inflammation when implanted in rabbits for up to 100 d. This study showcases the potential of this membrane as a viable option for corneal endothelial replacement, offering a novel approach to address donor tissue scarcity in corneal transplantation.

Povidone-Iodine Induced Allergic Contact Dermatitis in a 10-Year-Old Girl: A Case Report.

We present a case of iodine-induced allergic contact dermatitis in a 10-year-old child. The child had a superficial wound on the left knee from an injury and was treated with daily applications of povidone-iodine (PVP-I) ointment for three to four days. The child subsequently developed a worsening skin lesion that increased from an initial 2 cm to 10 cm, spreading over the upper part of the leg, accompanied by pain and scanty discharge. Referred to the dermatology department, the dermatologist diagnosed iodine-induced allergic contact dermatitis based on the clinical presentation and the absence of other oral or topical medications, as well as no history of allergy to any substances or medications. Discontinuation of the suspected PVP-I ointment led to complete healing within 10 days with the use of only an emollient. This case underscores the importance of recognizing iodine allergy as a potential complication when used in wound care, particularly in pediatric patients.

Comparative Study of Polymer-Modified Copper Oxide Electrochemical Sensors: Stability and Performance Analysis.

The effectiveness of copper oxide-modified electrochemical sensors using different polymers is being studied. The commercial powder was sonicated in an isopropyl alcohol solution and distilled water with 5 wt% polymers (chitosan, Nafion, PVP, HPC, α-terpineol). It was observed that the chitosan and Nafion caused degradation of CuO, but Nafion formed a stable mixture when diluted. The modified electrodes were drop-casted and analyzed using cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M KCl + 3 mM [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- solution to determine the electrochemically active surface area (EASA). The results showed that α-terpineol formed agglomerates, while HPC created uneven distributions, resulting in poor stability. On the other hand, Nafion and PVP formed homogeneous layers, with PVP showing the highest EASA of 0.317 cm2. In phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), HPC and PVP demonstrated stable signals. Nafion remained the most stable in various electrolytes, making it suitable for sensing applications. Testing in 0.1 M NaOH revealed HPC instability, partial dissolution of PVP, and Cu ion reduction. The type of polymer used significantly impacts the performance of CuO sensors. Nafion and PVP show the most promise due to their stability and effective dispersion of CuO. Further optimization of polymer-CuO combinations is necessary for enhanced sensor functionality.

A proof of concept model to calculate white and grey matter AIS injuries in pedestrian collisions.

In the real world, the severity of traumatic injuries is measured using the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and is often estimated, in finite element human computer models, with the maximum principal strains (MPS) tensor. MPS can predict when a serious injury is reached, but cannot provide any AIS measures lower and higher from this. To overcome these limitations, a new organ trauma model (OTM2), capable of calculating the threat to life of any organ injured, is proposed. The OTM2 model uses a power method, namely peak virtual power, and defines brain white and grey matters trauma responses. It includes human age effect (volume and stiffness), localised impact contact stiffness and provides injury severity adjustments for haemorrhaging. The focus, in this case, is on real-world pedestrian brain injuries. OTM2 model was tested against three real-life pedestrian accidents and has proven to reasonably predict the post mortem (PM) outcome. Its AIS predictions are closer to the real-world injury severity than the standard maximum principal strain (MPS) methods currently used. This proof of concept suggests that OTM2 has the potential to improve forensic predictions as well as contribute to the improvement in vehicle safety design through the ability to measure injury severity. This study concludes that future advances in trauma computing would require the development of a brain model that could predict haemorrhaging.

Safety Assessment of Vinylpyrrolidone Polymers as Used in Cosmetics.

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) reviewed the safety of 30 vinylpyrrolidone polymers as used in cosmetic products; most of these ingredients have the reported cosmetic function of film former in common. The Panel reviewed data relevant to the safety of these ingredients, and determined that 27 vinylpyrrolidone polymers are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in the safety assessment. The Panel also concluded that the available data are insufficient to make a determination that 3 vinylpyrrolidone polymers (all urethanes) are safe under the intended conditions of use in cosmetic formulations.

Tailoring ZnS nanostructures through precipitation-cum-hydrothermal synthesis for enhanced wastewater purification and antibacterial treatment.

This study presents a novel blend of synthesis techniques for shape-controlled ZnS nanoparticles. Zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles with distinct morphologies cauliflower-like microstructures (∼4.5 µm) and uniform nanospheres (200-700 nm) were synthesized through an innovative blend of precipitation and hydrothermal techniques. Capping with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) significantly decreased crystallite size (3.93 nm-2.36 nm), modulated the band gap (3.57 eV-3.71 eV), and dramatically influenced morphology, highlighting the novelty of shape-controlled synthesis and its impact on optoelectronic and functional properties. X-ray diffraction confirmed crystallinity and revealed the size-controlling influence of PVP. UV-vis spectroscopy suggested potential tuning of optical properties due to band gap widening upon PVP capping. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) unveiled distinct morphologies: cauliflower-like microstructures for ZnS and uniform nanospheres (200-700 nm) for PVP-ZnS. Both structures were composed of smaller spherical nanoparticles, demonstrating the role of PVP in promoting controlled growth and preventing agglomeration. High-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) images depicted that the majority of nanoparticles maintain a spherical shape, though slight deviations from perfect sphericity can be discerned. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed that successful PVP encapsulation is crucial for shaping nanospheres and minimizing aggregation through steric hindrance. Photocatalytic activity evaluation using methylene blue (MB) dye degradation revealed significantly faster degradation by PVP-ZnS under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation (within 60 min as compared to 120 min for ZnS), showcasing its superior performance. This improvement can be attributed to the smaller size, higher surface area, and potentially optimized band gap of PVP-ZnS. Additionally, PVP-ZnS exhibited promising antibacterial activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, with increased activity at higher nanoparticle concentrations.

Effect of saline perfusion before catheter removal in patients with BPH treated with GreenLight laser photoselective vaporization of the prostate.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of saline perfusion before catheter removal in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treated with GreenLight laser photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients (n=200) with BPH treated with PVP were divided into perfusion (n=100) and control (n=100) groups. For the perfusion group, saline (200 mL or the maximum capacity tolerated) was irrigated into the bladder after standardized external urethral disinfection, and the catheter was removed. Catheter removal was routinely performed in the control group. Perioperative adverse events and clinical outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Patients in the perfusion group had a shorter waiting time [3 (0-4) vs. 15 (8.75-26) min; P<0.001] and a better satisfaction grade [24 (21.75-26) vs. 23 (20-25); P=0.016] for first urination than those in the control group. The perfusion group exhibited lower anxiety levels regarding first urination than the control group [1 (1-2) vs. 1.5 (1-2), respectively; P=0.012]. Urinalysis revealed that the perfusion group had significantly lower white blood cell (WBC) count than the control group on the day [25.5 (8-37.75) vs. 43.5 (24.0-64.75); P<0.001] and 2 weeks [20.5 (11-27) vs. 31.0 (20-42); P<0.001] after catheter removal. No significant differences in treatment-related adverse events were observed [perfusion (n=15), control (n=20)]. CONCLUSION: Saline perfusion before catheter removal in patients with BPH treated with PVP could shorten the waiting time for first urination, improve patient anxiety and satisfaction and reduce postoperative urinary WBC levels.

Study of the Incorporation of Gel and Aloe vera Peel Extract in a Polymer Matrix Based on Polyvinylpyrrolidone.

The development of dressings based on electrospun membranes with polymers and plant extracts is an interesting approach to skin regeneration, providing elements to prevent contamination and a matrix that accelerates the healing process. We developed a membrane composed of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), gel and Aloe vera peel extract via the electrospinning technique. Additionally, an optimal ratio of PVP/Av gel/Av skin extract was determined to facilitate membrane formation. Electrospun membranes were obtained with fiber diameters of 1403 ± 57.4 nm for the PVP and 189.2 ± 11.4 nm for PVP/Av gel/Av peel extract, confirming that the use of extracts generally reduced the fiber diameter. The incorporation of gel and peel extract of Aloe vera into the electrospun membrane was analyzed via FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopies. FTIR revealed the presence of functional groups associated with phenolic compounds such as aloin, aloe-emodin, emodin and aloesin, which was confirmed by UV-Vis, revealing absorption bands corresponding to aloin, phenols and carbonyl groups. This finding provides evidence of the effective integration and prevalence of bioactive compounds of a phenolic and polysaccharide nature from the gel and the Av skin extract in the electrospun fibers, resulting in an advanced membrane that could improve and accelerate the healing process and protect the wound from bacterial infections.

Nanofibrous Conductive Sensor for Limonene: One-Step Synthesis via Electrospinning and Molecular Imprinting.

Detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from different plant species and their organs can provide valuable information about plant health and environmental factors that affect them. For example, limonene emission can be a biomarker to monitor plant health and detect stress. Traditional methods for VOC detection encounter challenges, prompting the proposal of novel approaches. In this study, we proposed integrating electrospinning, molecular imprinting, and conductive nanofibers to fabricate limonene sensors. In detail, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) served here as fiber and cavity formers, respectively, with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) enhancing conductivity. We developed one-step monolithic molecularly imprinted fibers, where S(-)-limonene was the target molecule, using an electrospinning technique. The functional cavities were fixed using the UV curing method, followed by a target molecule washing. This procedure enabled the creation of recognition sites for limonene within the nanofiber matrix, enhancing sensor performance and streamlining manufacturing. Humidity was crucial for sensor working, with optimal conditions at about 50% RH. The sensors rapidly responded to S(-)-limonene, reaching a plateau within 200 s. Enhancing fiber density improved sensor performance, resulting in a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 137 ppb. However, excessive fiber density decreased accessibility to active sites, thus reducing sensitivity. Remarkably, the thinnest mat on the fibrous sensors created provided the highest selectivity to limonene (Selectivity Index: 72%) compared with other VOCs, such as EtOH (used as a solvent in nanofiber development), aromatic compounds (toluene), and two other monoterpenes (α-pinene and linalool) with similar structures. These findings underscored the potential of the proposed integrated approach for selective VOC detection in applications such as precision agriculture and environmental monitoring.