Rhizobacterial-assisted phytoremediation for accelerated petroleum-hydrocarbon removal in crude-oil sludge.

Almost over ten years, environmental experts have concentrated on implementing risk-based management strategies for the remediation of sites contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), which can potentially have detrimental ecological impacts. Phytoremediation widely recognized as a green technology a plant-based and economically efficient technology, emerges as a promising method to offer an alternative to existing treatment technologies in TPH contaminated ecosystems. The utilization of Scirpus grossus, a perennial plant, has been proposed as a practical, safe, and cost-effective method for remediating soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of S. grossus in removing total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in real crude-oil sludge. Employing a batch phytoremediation system with S. grossus, the experiment was conducted in crates within a greenhouse, maintaining ambient temperatures (30 °C-35 °C) for a duration of 28 days. Each crate was populated with 9-month-old plants of uniform size, initially cultivated in the greenhouse before being transplanted into crates containing 100 % crude-oil sludge with an initial TPH concentration of 37,554 mg/kg for the treatment phase. TPH removal rates were assessed after 14, 21, and 28 days of exposure, resulting in removal rates of 67 %, 74 %, and 75 %, respectively. The highest concentration of rhizobacteria recorded in both sample (with contaminants and without contaminants) were 5.56 × 104 and 5.72 × 104 CFU/mL respectively. Furthermore, TPH extraction from both stems and roots of S. grossus was analysed, revealing the highest TPH concentration of 15,319 mg/kg and about 8000 mg/kg of TPH at day 28 by roots and stem sample respectively. In conclusion, S. grossus demonstrated substantial potential in effectively mitigating the toxicity of TPH in real crude-oil sludge contamination scenarios.

Complete chloroplast genome of a montane plant Spathoglottis aurea Lindl.: Comparative analyses and phylogenetic relationships among members of tribe collabieae.

The yellow-flowered Spathoglottis aurea (tribe Collabieae; family Orchidaceae) is native to the mountainous areas of Peninsular Malaysia. The species is well known as an ornamental plant and for its role in artificial hybrid breeding. There is an interesting evolutionary relationship between S. aurea and the geographically isolated S. microchilina from Borneo that has encouraged further study of the S. aurea populations, but the genomic resource for S. aurea has not yet been reported. The present study reports the first work to characterize a chloroplast (cp) genome among the Spathoglottis genus. The complete cp genome of S. aurea was assembled from a sequence generated by the Illumina platform and analysed in comparison with other Collabieae species available in the GenBank database. The cp genome of S. aurea is 157,957 base pairs (bp) in length with guanine-cytosine (GC) content of 37.3%. The genome possessed a typical quadripartite cp genome structure with large single-copy (LSC) (86,888 bp), small single-copy (SSC) (18,125 bp) and inverted repeat (IR) (26,472 bp) sequences. A total of 134 genes were annotated, with 88 protein coding genes (PCGs), 38 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Overall, 80 simple sequence repeats (SSR) or microsatellites were identified. Comparative analysis with other Collabieae species revealed high conservation in the cp genome arrangements with minimal difference in genome lengths. However, several mutational hotspots were also detected, with high potential to be developed as genetic markers for phylogenetic analysis. Characterization of the S. aurea cp genome revealed its conserved nature without gene loss or rearrangements when compared to other species of the Collabieae tribe. Phylogenetic analysis of Collabieae species also revealed that S. aurea has a distant evolutionary relationship to other members of the Collabieae species, despite the presence of problematic genera such as Phaius and Cephalantheropsis.

Is Arabic online patient-centered information about dental extraction trustworthy? An infodemiological study.

Background: Assessment of the Arabic online patient-centered information is understudied. The study aims to assess the quality and readability of the Arabic web-based knowledge about dental extraction. Methods: The first 100 Arabic websites focusing on dental extraction were gathered using popular terms from Google, Bing, and Yahoo searches. These sites were organized and their quality was assessed using three key standards: the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, the DISCERN instrument, and the inclusion of the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HON code) seal. Additionally, the ease of reading of these websites was evaluated through various online readability indexes. Results: Out of 300 initially reviewed websites on dental extraction in Arabic, 80 met the eligibility criteria. Nonprofit organizations were most common (41.3%), followed by university/medical centers (36.3%), and commercial entities (21.3%). Government organizations were minimally represented (1.3%). All websites were medically oriented, with 60% offering Q&A sections. Quality assessment showed moderate scores on the DISCERN instrument, with no site reaching the highest score. JAMA benchmarks were poorly met, and none had the HON code seal. Readability was generally high, with most sites scoring favorably on readability scales. Conclusions: The rapidly evolving online information about dental extraction lacks readability and quality and can spread misinformation. Creators should focus on clear, unbiased content using simple language for better public understanding.

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day: do climate variations enhance the spread of COVID-19?

The spread of infectious diseases was further promoted due to busy cities, increased travel, and climate change, which led to outbreaks, epidemics, and even pandemics. The world experienced the severity of the 125 nm virus called the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a pandemic declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019. Many investigations revealed a strong correlation between humidity and temperature relative to the kinetics of the virus's spread into the hosts. This study aimed to solve the riddle of the correlation between environmental factors and COVID-19 by applying RepOrting standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses (ROSES) with the designed research question. Five temperature and humidity-related themes were deduced via the review processes, namely 1) The link between solar activity and pandemic outbreaks, 2) Regional area, 3) Climate and weather, 4) Relationship between temperature and humidity, and 5) the Governmental disinfection actions and guidelines. A significant relationship between solar activities and pandemic outbreaks was reported throughout the review of past studies. The grand solar minima (1450-1830) and solar minima (1975-2020) coincided with the global pandemic. Meanwhile, the cooler, lower humidity, and low wind movement environment reported higher severity of cases. Moreover, COVID-19 confirmed cases and death cases were higher in countries located within the Northern Hemisphere. The Blackbox of COVID-19 was revealed through the work conducted in this paper that the virus thrives in cooler and low-humidity environments, with emphasis on potential treatments and government measures relative to temperature and humidity. HIGHLIGHTS: • The coronavirus disease 2019 (COIVD-19) is spreading faster in low temperatures and humid area. • Weather and climate serve as environmental drivers in propagating COVID-19. • Solar radiation influences the spreading of COVID-19. • The correlation between weather and population as the factor in spreading of COVID-19.

The chloroplast genome inheritance pattern of the Deli-Nigerian prospection material (NPM) × Yangambi population of Elaeis guineensis Jacq.

Background: The chloroplast genome has the potential to be genetically engineered to enhance the agronomic value of major crops. As a crop plant with major economic value, it is important to understand every aspect of the genetic inheritance pattern among Elaeis guineensis individuals to ensure the traceability of agronomic traits. Methods: Two parental E. guineensis individuals and 23 of their F1 progenies were collected and sequenced using the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technique on the Illumina platform. Chloroplast genomes were assembled de novo from the cleaned raw reads and aligned to check for variations. The sequences were compared and analyzed with programming language scripting and relevant bioinformatic softwares. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci were determined from the chloroplast genome. Results: The chloroplast genome assembly resulted in 156,983 bp, 156,988 bp, 156,982 bp, and 156,984 bp. The gene content and arrangements were consistent with the reference genome published in the GenBank database. Seventy-eight SSRs were detected in the chloroplast genome, with most located in the intergenic spacer region.The chloroplast genomes of 17 F1 progenies were exact copies of the maternal parent, while six individuals showed a single variation in the sequence. Despite the significant variation displayed by the male parent, all the nucleotide variations were synonymous. This study show highly conserve gene content and sequence in Elaeis guineensis chloroplast genomes. Maternal inheritance of chloroplast genome among F1 progenies are robust with a low possibility of mutations over generations. The findings in this study can enlighten inheritance pattern of Elaeis guineensis chloroplast genome especially among crops' scientists who consider using chloroplast genome for agronomic trait modifications.

Assessment of the microbial electrochemical sensor (SENTRY™) as a potential wastewater quality monitoring tool for common pollutants found in Malaysia.

Bioelectrochemical sensors for environment monitoring have the potential to provide facility operators with real-time data, allowing for better and more timely decision-making regarding water and wastewater treatment. To assess the robustness and sensitivity of the Sentry™ biosensor in local conditions, it was tested in Malaysia using domestically available wastewater. The study objectives included (1) enrich the biosensor locally, (2) operate and test the biosensor with local domestic wastewater, and (3) determine the biosensor's responsiveness to model pollutants through pollutant spike and immersion test as well as response to absence of wastewater. Lab-scale operation shows the biosensor was successfully enriched with (1) local University Kebangsaan Malaysia's, microbial community strain collection and (2) local municipal wastewater microflora, operated for more than 50 days with a stable yet responsive carbon consumption rate (CCR) signal. Meanwhile, two independent biosensors were also enriched and operated in Indah Water Research Centre's crude sewage holding tank, showing a stable response to the wastewater. Next, a pilot scale setup was constructed to test the enriched biosensors for the spiked-pollutant test. The biosensors showed a proportional CCR response (pollutant presence detected) towards several organic compounds in the sewage, including ethanol, chicken blood, and dilution of tested sewage but less to curry powder, methanol, and isopropanol. Conversely, there was no significant response (pollutant presence not detected) towards hexane, Congo red, engine oil, and paint, which may be due to their non-biodegradability and/or insoluble nature. Additionally, the biosensors were exposed to air for 6 h to assess their robustness towards aerobic shock with a positive result. Overall, the study suggested that the biosensor could be a powerful monitoring tool, given its responsiveness towards organic compounds in sewage under normal conditions.

Cleft Lip and Palate Research Trends in Saudi Arabia: A Bibliometric Analysis.

As Saudi Arabia advances in medical education and patient care, assessing its contribution to cleft lip and palate (CLP) research is vital. This bibliometric analysis aims to map the trends, collaborations, and impact of Saudi research in CLP. Utilizing the Web of Science database, this study conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of CLP research related to Saudi Arabian publications. The analysis included data extraction and assessment of publications, citations, H-index, and international collaborations using advanced bibliometric tools and software. A total of 89 CLP-related articles in Saudi Arabia were retrieved. The findings indicated a steady increase in publications and citations over the years, reflecting growing interest and recognition of CLP's challenges in the Saudi healthcare context. King Abdulaziz University and King Saud University emerged as leading contributors. International collaboration was evident, with significant partnerships with countries like the USA, Canada, the UK, and others. The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal and the Saudi Dental Journal were identified as the most influential journals in disseminating Saudi CLP research. The study highlights a positive growth trajectory in Saudi CLP research, marked by increased publications, citations, and international collaborations. It underscores the importance of continuous research and the need for enhanced efforts to further the understanding and treatment of CLP. Future studies should consider including a broader range of databases to provide a more comprehensive global view of CLP research trends.

Safety and efficacy of Rucaparib in the treatment of ovarian cancer and patients with BRCA mutation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of phase III randomized clinical trials.

INTRODUCTION: Our systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Rucaparib, a PARP inhibitor (PARPi), in patients with ovarian cancer and BRCA mutation. METHODS: Online databases were comprehensively searched for all phase III Randomized trials that used Rucaparib therapy for ovarian cancer patients and patients having BRCA mutation. Efficacy results are progression-free survival and overall response rate in addition to addressing its safety concerns. RESULTS: After pooling data from 4 clinical trials, the analysis showed a significant improvement in PFS among ovarian cancer patients and for the maintenance therapy with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.49 (95% CI 0.34-0.73, p = 0.0003) and 0.42 (95% CI 0.29-0.62, p < 0.0001), respectively. For patients with BRCA mutations, the PFS showed significant improvement with a (HR) of 0.42 (95% CI 0.25-0.71, p < 0.001). A difference was observed in the risk of grade ≥ 3 TEAEs between the two groups (RR = 2.48; 95% CI 1.40-4.37). CONCLUSION: Rucaparib demonstrated significant efficacy in improving PFS and ORR in ovarian cancer patients, particularly those having BRCA mutations. However, they should be closely monitored due to the greater risk of various adverse effects.

Integrating phytoremediation and mycoremediation with biosurfactant-producing fungi for hydrocarbon removal and the potential production of secondary resources.

Treatment of petroleum-contaminated soil to a less toxic medium via physical and chemical treatment is too costly and requires posttreatment. This review focuses on the employment of phytoremediation and mycoremediation technologies in cleaning hydrocarbon-contaminated soil which is currently rare. It is considered environmentally beneficial and possibly cost-effective as it implements the synergistic interaction between plants and biosurfactant producing mycorrhiza to degrade hydrocarbon contaminants. This review also covers possible sources of hydrocarbon pollution in water and soil, toxicity effects, and current technologies for hydrocarbon removal and degradation. In addition to these problems, this review also discusses the challenges and opportunities of transforming the resultant treated sludge and treating plants into potential by-products for a higher quality of life for future generations.

Assessment of Quality and Readability of Web-Based Arabic Knowledge About Cleft Lip and/or Palate: An Infodemiology Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality and readability of the Arabic web-based information about cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P).Materials and Method: Searching in three engines and checking eligibility for the first 300 websites. The quality of the included websites (72) was assessed using the DISCERN questionnaire, JAMA benchmarks, and HON code. The readability of the websites was assessed using three readability tests: FKGL, SMOG, and FRE. Then, data analysis was done. RESULTS: All checked websites were partly related to CL/P and contained medical facts. The affiliation of most of the websites was commercial 33 (45.8%). The mean overall DISCERN score was 2.87 (± 1.61). The maximum score was not achieved by any website, and only one (1.4%) website had the minimum score. For JAMA benchmarks, the currency was the most achieved item in 39 (54.2%) websites, and none of the websites achieved the four items. Only one website had the HON code. Based on the FRE scale, the level was very easy for most of the websites 57 (79.2%). CONCLUSION: The available content about CL/P is readable but with moderate to poor quality and trustfulness. Undoubtedly, there is a serious need to increase and improve the quality of the web-based Arabic population's knowledge about CL/P, especially by governmental institutions and universities. Establishing specialized websites for CL/P is also needed.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor in North Africa and the middle east: updates in presentation and management from an 11-year retrospective cohort.

OBJECTIVES: This study described the epidemiological, clinical, and survival profiles of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in North Africa and the Middle East (AfME). METHODS: This regional, multicenter, observational, retrospective study collected 11-year data on demographics, medical history, disease characteristics, current treatment approaches of GIST, the safety of the most common tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), second cancers, and survival status. RESULTS: Data of 201 eligible patients were analyzed: mean age was 56.9 ± 12.6 years; 111 (55.2%) patients were men, 21 (10.4%) patients had previous personal malignancy. The most common clinical presentation of GIST was dysphagia [92 (45.8%) patients]. The stomach was the most common primary site in 120 (60.7%) patients, 171 (85.1%) patients had localized disease at diagnosis. 198 (98.5%) GIST cases were CD117/CD34-positive. Imatinib was used in the neoadjuvant (18/21 patients), adjuvant (85/89 patients), and first-line metastatic treatment (28/33 patients) settings. The most common non-hematological toxicity associated with TKIs was vomiting in 32/85 (37.6%) patients. Overall, 100 (49.8%) patients (95%CI: 42.8-56.7%) were alive and disease-free while 30 (14.9%) patients were alive with active disease. CONCLUSION: Presentation of GIST in our AfME population is consistent with global reports, being more frequent in patients >50 years old and having the stomach as the most common primary site. Unlike what is usually reported, though, we did have more patients with lymphatic spread of the disease. Despite the global trend and advances in the treatment of GIST according to molecular profile, this is still far to happen in our population given the lack of access to molecular profiles and the high associated cost.

Is Online Patient-Centered Information About Implant Bone Graft Valid?

Background A dental implant is one of the most commonly used treatments to replace missing teeth. A reasonable number of implant cases necessitate using a bone graft before or at the time of implant placement. This study aims to evaluate the quality and readability of online patient-centered information about implant bone grafts. Methodology This cross-sectional study used Google, Yahoo, and Bing search engines. The keywords were entered to screen 900 websites. The DISCERN, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and Health on the Net (HON) code tools evaluated the included websites for quality. The Flesch reading-ease score (FRES), Flesch-Kincaid grade level, and simple measure of gobbledygook tests measured readability. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results A total of 161 websites were included; 65 (40.4%) of the included websites belonged to a university or medical center. Only five (3.1%) websites were exclusively related to dental implant treatments. DISCERN showed moderate quality for 82 (50.9%) websites. There was a statistical difference between commercial and non-profit organization websites. In the JAMA evaluation, currency was the most commonly achieved in 67 (41.6%) websites. For the HON code, four (2.5%) websites were certified. Based on FRES, the most common readability category was "fair difficult," accounting for 64 (39.8%), followed by "standard" in 56 (34.8%) websites. Conclusions The study findings suggest that English-language patient-centered information about implant bone grafts is challenging to comprehend and of low quality. Hence, there is a need to establish websites that provide trustworthy, high-quality information on implant bone grafts.

Coexistence of a Nasopalatine Duct Cyst and Radicular Cyst: A Unique Clinical Presentation.

This study discusses a case of coexistence of two distinct cysts, a nasopalatine duct cyst (NPDC) and a radicular cyst, within the anterior region of the maxilla. NPDC is a prevalent non-odontogenic developmental cyst, while radicular cysts are commonly found in odontogenic inflammatory cysts. The clinical and radiographic characteristics of these cysts are explored, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. In this case, a 51-year-old male patient presented with swelling and pain in the maxillary anterior region. Radiographic examinations revealed a heart-shaped radiolucent lesion extending from tooth 13 to 23, associated with the NPDC, and a separate radicular cyst. Surgical enucleation and tooth extraction were performed as the treatment of choice. This unique case underscores the significance of meticulous radiographic assessment to detect multiple cystic lesions within the same area.

Crusted scabies in a rabbit model: a severe skin disease or more?

BACKGROUND: Around 200-300 million people are estimated to be affected by scabies annually worldwide. However, the mechanisms by which this disease may affect the general condition of the host are not entirely clear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the systemic changes that may accompany crusted scabies in both treated and non-treated experimental animals. METHODS: Male New Zealand rabbits were infected with Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi and divided into the following three groups: control, ivermectin-treated, and fluralaner-treated. Several methods were used to evaluate the systemic changes, including histopathological examination of the liver, kidney, heart, and spleen, as well as the measurement of serum biochemical parameters and immunological parameters. RESULTS: Several definite structural and functional changes at the systemic level were revealed, as evidenced by the observed histopathological changes in the tissue sections of internal organs and the highly significant increases in markers of systemic inflammation, serum procalcitonin, and oxidative stress markers. Abnormalities in the liver and renal function results, as well as in the serum lipid profile, were also noted. Additionally, a disorganized immune response was noted, evidenced by a mixed type 1 and type 2 helper T cell response. Although there was notable clinical and parasitological cure in the ivermectin-treated group, the histopathological, biochemical, and immunological markers indicated incomplete resolution. In contrast, the fluralaner-treated group exhibited a nearly complete resolution of changes in these parameters. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that crusted scabies is a systemic syndrome that can affect several organs besides the skin. Inflammation, oxidative stress, and possibly bacterial infections, are all implicated as underlying mechanisms of tissue damage due to the disease. We recommend that fluralaner, a promising scabicidal agent, should be studied for possible human use, and especially for control programs.

The effect of dosage on the protective efficacy of whole-sporozoite formulations for immunization against malaria.

Immunization with Plasmodium sporozoites, either attenuated or administered under the cover of an antimalarial drug, can induce strong protection against malaria in pre-clinical murine models, as well as in human trials. Previous studies have suggested that whole-sporozoite (WSpz) formulations based on parasites with longer liver stage development induce higher protection, but a comparative analysis of four different WSpz formulations has not been reported. We employed a rodent model of malaria to analyze the effect of immunization dosage on the protective efficacy of WSpz formulations consisting of (i) early liver arresting genetically attenuated parasites (EA-GAP) or (ii) radiation-attenuated sporozoites (RAS), (iii) late arresting GAP (LA-GAP), and (iv) sporozoites administered under chemoprophylaxis, that are eliminated upon release into the bloodstream (CPS). Our results show that, unlike all other WSpz formulations, EA-GAP fails to confer complete protection against an infectious challenge at any immunization dosage employed, suggesting that a minimum threshold of liver development is required to elicit fully effective immune responses. Moreover, while immunization with RAS, LA-GAP and CPS WSpz yields comparable, dosage-dependent protection, protection by EA-GAP WSpz peaks at an intermediate dosage and markedly decreases thereafter. In-depth immunological analyses suggest that effector CD8+ T cells elicited by EA-GAP WSpz immunization have limited developmental plasticity, with a potential negative impact on the functional versatility of memory cells and, thus, on protective immunity. Our findings point towards dismissing EA-GAP from prioritization for WSpz malaria vaccination and enhance our understanding of the complexity of the protection elicited by these WSpz vaccine candidates, guiding their future optimization.

Perception and Attitude of Parents of Children With Orofacial Clefts Regarding the Use of Presurgical Orthopedics and Feeding Obturators.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the parents' attitude and their perception regarding the management of orofacial cleft (OFC) children with presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM), DynaCleft and/or feeding obturators. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive and observational retrospective survey-based study was conducted among parents of OFC children treated with PNAM, DynaCleft and/or feeding obturators who attended a primary dental health care center in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, from 2019 to 2023. A validated questionnaire was used after translating it from English to Arabic. The questionnaire consisted of 32 questions divided into two sections. The first section covers parents' sociodemographic data and OFC risk factors. The second section evaluates the parents' perception regarding the use of presurgical orthopedics (PSO) for OFC repair. The questionnaire was completed through telephone interviews carried out by two investigators with the parents of OFC children. RESULTS: Out of 142 parents of OFC children, only 40 parents and their children met the inclusion criteria of the study. Most parents (95%) reported their satisfaction with the treatment and stated that they would encourage other parents of OFC children to use PSO. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that parents of OFC children had a positive attitude toward PSO treatment. Based on the positive outcomes of PSO treatment reported in the current study and previous literature, PSO should be considered as a routine treatment in the early management of orofacial clefts.

Assessment of the Relation Between Patterns of Third-Molar Impaction and Blood Group: A Retrospective Study.

Background The prevalence of impacted third molars is high in the global general population. The etiology of impacted third molars is not fully understood, but it is thought to result from combined genetic and environmental factors. Some studies have suggested a link between the blood group and the risk of impacted third molars. This study aimed to investigate the association between the blood group and the presence of impacted third molars and its pattern. Method A total of 856 panoramic radiographs were included in the study. The third molars were evaluated for the pattern of third-molar impaction and blood characteristics recorded as ABO group and presence or absence of Rhesus antigen. Results The results showed no significant association between the blood group and the presence of impacted third molars. The prevalence of at least one impacted the third molar was 34.6%. The most common angulation of impacted third molars was vertical (V) (45.1%), followed by mesioangular (MA) (33.7%), distoangular (DA) (13.8%), and horizontal (H) (7.4%). There was no significant association between the blood group and the number of impacted third molars nor between the blood group and the angulation of the impacted third molars. Conclusion This study suggests that the blood group is not a major factor in the development of impacted third molars. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings.

Rapid Surface Modification of Stainless Steel 304L Electrodes for Microbial Electrochemical Sensor Application.

Electrogenic microorganisms serve as important biocatalysts for microbial electrochemical sensors (MESes). The electrical signal produced is based on the rate of electron transfer between the microbes and electrodes, which represents the biotoxicity of water. However, existing MESes require complex and sophisticated fabrication methods. Here, several low-cost and rapid surface modification strategies (carbon powder-coated, flame-oxidized, and acid-bleached) have been demonstrated and studied for biosensing purposes. Surface-modified MESe bioanodes were successfully applied to detect multiple model pollutants including sodium acetate, ethanol, thinner, and palm oil mill effluent under three different testing sequences, namely, pollutant incremental, pollutant dumping, and water dilution tests. The carbon powder-coated bioanode showed the most responsive signal profile for all the three tests, which is in line with the average roughness values (Ra) when tested with atomic force microscopy. The carbon powder-coated electrode possessed a Ra value of 0.844, while flame-oxidized, acid-bleached, and control samples recorded 0.323, 0.336, and 0.264, respectively. The higher roughness was caused by the carbon coating and provided adhesive sites for microbial attachment and growth. The accuracy of MESe was also verified by correlating with chemical oxygen demand (COD) results. Similar to the sensitivity test, the carbon powder-coated bioanode obtained the highest R2 value of 0.9754 when correlated with COD results, indicating a high potential of replacing conventional water quality analysis methods. The reported work is of great significance to showcase facile surface modification techniques for MESes, which are cost-effective and sustainable while retaining the biocompatibility toward the microbial community with carbon-based coatings.

Evaluation of the scabicidal effect of a single dose of fluralaner in a rabbit model of crusted scabies.

Recently, scabies was included in the WHO roadmap for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030. Till now, ivermectin is the only available oral drug that is currently approved for treating crusted scabies in humans. Concerns regarding its efficacy and safety have prompted research efforts to find new alternatives. Our study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of a single dose of fluralaner in cases of crusted scabies in comparison with that of repeated weekly high doses of ivermectin. For the in vitro study, twenty adult female mites were exposed to 50 µg/ml and 100 µg/ml ivermectin and fluralaner to evaluate their effects on mites' survival. For the in vivo study, thirty-five male crossbreed rabbits were divided into 4 groups: group I (non-infected, non-treated), group II (infected, non-treated), group III (infected and treated with ivermectin in a weekly oral dose of 0.4 mg/kg body weight/rabbit for 4 weeks, starting 8 weeks post-infection), and group IV (infected and treated with fluralaner given as a single oral dose of 25 mg/kg body weight/rabbit, starting 8 weeks post-infection). Clinical, parasitological, histopathological, and biochemical assessments were done. Clinical and parasitological assays were accomplished to all infected groups starting from day 0, then on days 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56 post-treatment, while histopathological and biochemical assessments were done at the end of the 8th week post-treatment (day 56). Our results showed that fluralaner exhibited a higher acaricidal effect on adult Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi when compared with ivermectin applied in the same concentration (50 µg/ml or 100 µg/ml). Concerning the in vivo study, both clinical cure and parasitological cure were noted in both treated groups, evidenced by complete absence of all clinical signs of infestation and absence of mites in all skin scrapings. However, the ivermectin-treated group showed incomplete histopathological and biochemical resolution. Interestingly, both clinical cure and negative skin scrapings were noticed earlier in the fluralaner-treated group, with no apparent side effects. Also, no significant differences were noticed in the skin sections and serum biochemical parameters when compared with those of the negative control group. We concluded that fluralaner is a promising scabicidal agent that is recommended to be studied for possible human use, especially in control programs.

The impact of ß-glucan on the therapeutic outcome of experimental Trichinella spiralis infection.

Trichinellosis is a cosmopolitan zoonosis that is caused mainly by Trichinella spiralis infection. The human disease ranges from mild to severe and fatality may occur. The treatment of trichinellosis still presents a challenge for physicians. Anti-inflammatory drugs are usually added to antiparasitic agents to alleviate untoward immuno-inflammatory responses and possible tissue damage but they are not without adverse effects. Thus, there is a need for the discovery of safe and effective compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the activity of ß-glucan during enteral and muscular phases of experimental T. spiralis infection as well as its therapeutic potential as an adjuvant to albendazole in treating trichinellosis. For this aim, mice were infected with T. spiralis and divided into the following groups: early and late ß-glucan treatment, albendazole treatment, and combined treatment groups. Infected mice were subjected to assessment of parasite burden, immunological markers, and histopathological changes in the small intestines and muscles. Immunohistochemical evaluation of NF-κB expression in small intestinal and muscle tissues was carried out in order to investigate the mechanism of action of ß-glucan. Interestingly, ß-glucan potentiated the efficacy of albendazole as noted by the significant reduction of counts of muscle larvae. The inflammatory responses in the small intestine and skeletal muscles were mitigated with some characteristic qualitative changes. ß-glucan also increased the expression of NF-κB in tissues which may account for some of its effects. In conclusion, ß-glucan showed a multifaceted beneficial impact on the therapeutic outcome of Trichinella infection and can be regarded as a promising adjuvant in the treatment of trichinellosis.