A novel multifunctional microneedle patch for synergistic photothermal- gas therapy against maxillofacial malignant melanoma and associated skin defects.

Considering the high recrudescence and the long-lasting unhealed large-sized wound that affect the aesthetics and cause dysfunction after resection of maxillofacial malignant skin tumors, a groundbreaking strategy is urgently needed. Photothermal therapy (PTT), which has become a complementary treatment of tumors, however, is powerless in tissue defect regeneration. Therefore, a novel multifunctional sodium nitroprusside and Fe2+ ions loaded microneedles (SNP-Fe@MNs) platform was fabricated by accomplishing desirable NIR-responsive photothermal effect while burst releasing nitric oxide (NO) after the ultraviolet radiation for the ablation of melanoma. Moreover, the steady releasing of NO in the long term by the platform can exert its angiogenic effects via upregulating multiple related pathways to promote tissue regeneration. Thus, the therapeutic dilemma caused by postoperative maxillofacial skin malignancies could be conquered through promoting tumor cell apoptosis via synergistic PTT-gas therapy and subsequent regeneration process in one step. The bio-application of SNP-Fe@MNs could be further popularized based on its ideal bioactivity and appealing features as a strategy for synergistic therapy of other tumors occurred in skin.

Analyzing consumer perceptions about food safety by applying the food-related lifestyle approach.

Food safety standards remain a major concern for consumers, especially in developing and emerging economies, due to gaps in the capacities of food safety enforcement institutions and limited investments from private sector actors. This study analyzes consumer behavior and food safety-related lifestyles in Kosovo, a post-communist emerging economy. Consumer groups were identified according to their food-related lifestyle using the classical 2-stage segmentation approach of factor analysis as well as cluster analysis. The study findings indicate that almost two-thirds of the surveyed consumers are fairly or very concerned about food safety. The results reveal that highly educated female consumers are more concerned about personal health risks, food safety-related content, and related diseases. This study provides interesting insights for food safety policymakers and the agroindustry on how to promote food safety consumer awareness effectively with targeted communication strategies.

Virulence-associated genes analysis of carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli isolates.

Carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli has emerged as a major public health issue across the world. This study was aimed to determine the virulence content and phylogenetic groups of carbapenemase-producing E. coli isolates in southwest Iran. One hundred and fifty-two non-duplicate E. coli isolates were collected from various clinical samples. Antibiotic susceptibility and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion and agar dilution methods. Phenotypic screening of carbapenemase enzymes was performed by modified Hodge test (MHT). Detection of carbapenemase genes, phylogenetic groups, and virulence-associated genes were also performed by the PCR assay. The highest and lowest resistance rates were observed against mezlocillin (70.4%) and doripenem (13.1%), respectively. Out of 28 isolates that were resistant to carbapenem antibiotics, 12 (7.9%) strains were phenotypically carbapenemase producers. The blaOXA-48 was the predominant carbapenemase gene, detected in 58.3% of isolates, followed by blaIMP (41.7%) and blaNDM (8.3%). None of the isolates harbored blaVIM and blaKPC genes. Among the twelve carbapenemase-producing strains, urinary isolates were mostly classified into B2 (41.7%) and D (25%) phylogenetic groups, while other clinical isolates belonged to B1 (25%) and A (8.3%) groups. The frequency of virulence-associated genes was also investigated in all isolates and ranged from 6.6% for hly to 75% for fimA. The emergence of carbapenemase-producing strains is a growing concern to public health. Therefore, the proper implementation of monitoring programs is crucial for limiting their dissemination.

Social determinants of adherence to COVID-19 preventive guidelines: a comprehensive review

Adherence to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) preventive guidelines (ACPG) is an important strategy to control the COVID-19 pandemic effectively. The present study aimed to identify and summarize the social determinants of ACPG among the general population. A comprehensive review was performed from December 2019 to February 2021 through searching electronic databases. Two independent reviewers assessed and selected relevant studies. Next, the characteristics and main findings of the included studies were summarized. Finally, the World Health Organization’s conceptual framework of social determinants of health was used to synthesize the identified social determinants of ACPG. Forty-one of 453 retrieved articles met the inclusion criteria. The study results showed different patterns of ACPG among various communities. Furthermore, 84 social determinants were identified and categorized into structural and intermediary determinants. ACPG is a set of complex behaviors associated with different individual sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics; living and working conditions; COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and risk perceptions; exposure to sources and information level; leisure activities; social support; trust; social norms; psychosocial well-being; socio-economic position; and the socio-economic and political context. Interventions to promote ACPG among the general population should consider the identified social determinants of ACPG.