Unveiling the Dark Side of Datura in Pediatric Poisoning With Insights From Jordanian Experience : A Retrospective Clinical Study.

OBJECTIVES: Datura stramonium , jimsonweed, is a toxic plant with hallucinogenic properties. Although there are many studies on Datura poisoning, none reported cases in Jordan. This study offers a comprehensive review on D. stramonium ingestion, covering its epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment. We aimed to provide better understanding of the factors for Datura ingestion, identify prevention and management strategies, and address research challenges. METHODS: This study adopted a retrospective review design to evaluate the cases of Datura poisoning in Al Karak, province of Jordan during the spring of 2022. Data collected from medical records, toxicology databases, and consultation records were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The common symptoms of Datura poisoning included agitation, mydriasis, and tachycardia. The management approaches comprised supportive care, administration of Diazepam for agitation, and, in some cases, neostigmine to counteract anticholinergic effects. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the risks associated with D. stramonium poisoning and implementing effective prevention and management strategies are crucial. This study highlights the importance of recognizing Datura poisoning as a potential diagnosis in children presenting with unexplained anticholinergic symptoms or agitation to the emergency room.

Enhancement of hippocampal-dependent spatial memory by Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) characterized by activation of NMDA receptors against monosodium glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used in food-additives, and the Food and Drug Administration has placed it under intense scrutiny following several reports that it causes glutamate neurotoxicity. Ashwagandha (ASH) roots are traditionally used for memory enhancement. This study aimed to evaluate the nootropic activity of ASH as well as its therapeutic anti-amnesic activity against MSG-induced hippocampal-dependent spatial memory impairment and hippocampal-NMDAR modulation. METHOD: A total of 36 rats were divided equally into six groups (n = 6 in each group); the rats in the normal and negative groups were administered daily doses of normal saline and MSG (300 mg/kg), respectively, for 21 days. Two nootropic groups were administered ASH at 300 and 500 mg/kg o.p., respectively, for 21 days. Two other treatment groups were administered daily doses of MSG 300 mg/kg o.p. as well as 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg o.p. of ASH for 21 days. The rats' spatial memory was assessed for five days using the MWM. Additionally, NMDAR were measured quantitatively by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: We found that the rats in the nootropic groups showed significantly enhanced nootropic activity characterized by improved hippocampal-dependent spatial memory, as well as increases in the level of NMDAR in the Cornu Ammonis 1 region of their hippocampus. Moreover, we elucidated the therapeutic potential of ASH to protect against the depression of spatial memory caused by MSG-induced neurotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Further, we elucidated a strong correlation between NMDAR-positive cells in the hippocampus and enhancement of spatial learning induced by long-term administration of ASH as well as a strong correlation between NMDAR positive cells in the hippocampus and depression of spatial learning induced by long-term administration of ASH and MSG.

Assessing of drinking water quality in Al-karak province in central Jordan; based on water saturation indices.

Jordan is renowned for having limited water resources. The demand for water will increasing rapidly as the country's population grows and the number of refugees increases. In order to maintain the highest water quality for consumers, the Ministry of Water and Irrigation and other governmental agencies are striving to manage Jordan's water resources through continuous monitoring. The main objective was to evaluate the drinking water quality at storage mixing tanks at Al-Karak province, besides, assessing its suitability for safe consumption. The investigation scheme was to monitor Al-Karak's drinking water system for three successive months. The fourteen principal storage tanks for the water distribution system in the area of investigation were sampled. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC), major cations, major anions, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), turbidity, total alkalinity (TA), and heavy metals were measured. The scaling and originality of the dissolved salt elements in the collected water samples and geochemical processes were examined using Piper and Durov diagrams. The indices used in all samples over the period of investigation, are Langelier Saturation Index (LSI), Ryznar Stability Index (RSI), Aggressive Index (AI), Puckorius Scaling Index (PSI), and Water Quality Index (WQI). The results showed that scale development is high in all storage tanks, as the water is calcium carbonate supersaturated, evident from LSI values that ranges 0.5-2. According to the range of RSI values (5.91-6.6), all water tanks are resistant to corrosion. Throughout the period of study (October-December), the estimated WQIs of all samples upon average were found to be less than 50, indicating excellent water quality. Finally, the collected water samples are analyzed and found to be within the acceptable levels of Jordan's drinking water standards.

Synergistic Effects of AgNPs and Biochar: A Potential Combination for Combating Lung Cancer and Pathogenic Bacteria.

The synthesis of reliable biological nanomaterials is a crucial area of study in nanotechnology. In this study, Emericella dentata was employed for the biosynthesis of AgNPs, which were then combined with synthesized biochar, a porous structure created through biomass pyrolysis. The synergistic effects of AgNPs and biochar were evaluated through the assessment of pro-inflammatory cytokines, anti-apoptotic gene expression, and antibacterial activity. Solid biosynthesized AgNPs were evaluated by XRD and SEM, with SEM images revealing that most of the AgNPs ranged from 10 to 80 nm, with over 70% being less than 40 nm. FTIR analysis indicated the presence of stabilizing and reducing functional groups in the AgNPs. The nanoemulsion's zeta potential, hydrodynamic diameter, and particle distribution index were found to be -19.6 mV, 37.62 nm, and 0.231, respectively. Biochar, on the other hand, did not have any antibacterial effects on the tested bacterial species. However, when combined with AgNPs, its antibacterial efficacy against all bacterial species was significantly enhanced. Furthermore, the combined material significantly reduced the expression of anti-apoptotic genes and pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to individual treatments. This study suggests that low-dose AgNPs coupled with biochar could be a more effective method to combat lung cancer epithelial cells and pathogenic bacteria compared to either substance alone.

Bacterial quality of urinary tract in patients with alkaptonuria.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to determine whether there is an association between alkaptonuria (AKU) and urinary tract infection (UTI) by exploring the bacterial quality of the urinary tract, as most of the patients with AKU present with frequent occurrence of urinary tract symptoms such as incomplete emptying of urinary bladder, dysuria and nocturia. METHODS: Study samples were collected from 22 participants; 9 from patients with AKU, 9 from individuals who were AKU carriers, and 4 people served as control. Confirmation of AKU diagnosis was established by the ferric chloride test and quantitative determination of urinary homogentisic acid (HGA) levels. RESULTS: In the ferric chloride test, the urine samples of AKU patients showed a characteristic black ring upon addition of few drops of ferric chloride solution. During urinary HGA determination, patients with AKU had increased levels of urinary HGA as compared to carriers and controls. The following 10 bacterial species were isolated from the urinary tract of AKU patients, carriers and controls: Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Escherichia coli, Francisella tularensis, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Dermacoccus nishinomiyaensis, Kytococcus sedentarius, Serratia fonticola and Granulicatella adiacens. The presence of S. paucimobilis was found in three male patients, and one female each from the carrier and control groups. Almost all study samples were positive for D. nishinomiyaensis and K. sedentarius. S. fonticola and G. adiacens were found only in AKU carrier females. CONCLUSIONS: The results deduced that males show symptoms of arthritis early and more severely than females and by this it appears that there is an association between these symptoms and the percentage of bacterial infection in males that requires more accurate diagnosis and treatment to clarify such relationship. In the current study, males (patients, carriers, and controls) were more likely to have bacterial infections than females (64% vs. 36%). The 16 and 2 bacterial isolates, detected in 7 males and 2 females AKU patients, respectively, revealed that male AKU patients had a 2.3-fold greater rate of bacterial infection than female AKU patients. Therefore, further studies are warranted to investigate if there's any relationship between higher incidence of bacterial infections and development of AKU-related clinical symptoms in the male population.

Double dartos flap layer in tubularized incised plate urethroplasty to prevent urethrocutaneous fistula in uncircumcised patients with distal hypospadias.

Urethrocutaneous fistula may complicate hypospadias repair. We noticed that double-layered preputial dartos flaps added to tubularized incised plate urethroplasty can reduce the risk of urethrocutaneous fistula. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of tubularized incised plate urethroplasty with double-layered preputial dartos flaps to with single-layered local fascial flaps in preventing urethrocutaneous fistula. A retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2017 and December 2020 at Jordan University Hospital (Amman, Jordan). Boys who were aged between 6 months and 5 years, diagnosed with distal hypospadias, and not circumcised were included. The primary outcome was the occurrence of urethrocutaneous fistula in patients who underwent tubularized incised plate urethroplasty with a double-layered fascial flap. The results showed a total of 163 boys with distal hypospadias; among them, 116 patients underwent tubularized incised plate urethroplasty with a single-layered fascial flap, and 47 underwent tubularized incised plate urethroplasty with a double-layered fascial flap. The development of urethrocutaneous fistula was higher in the group receiving tubularized incised plate urethroplasty with a single-layered fascial flap than in the group receiving tubularized incised plate urethroplasty with a double-layered fascial flap after 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months (6.9% vs 0, 10.3% vs 0, and 5.2% vs 0, respectively), and the difference after 6 months was statistically significant (P = 0.02).

Ruta graveolens, Peganum harmala, and Citrullus colocynthis methanolic extracts have in vitro protoscolocidal effects and act against bacteria isolated from echinococcal hydatid cyst fluid.

Echinococcosis is a common and endemic disease that affects both humans and animals. In this study, the in vitro activities of methanolic extracts of Ruta graveolens, Peganum harmala aerial parts, and Citrullus colocynthis seeds against protoscolosis and isolated bacterial strains from hydatid cysts were assessed using disc diffusion methods and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The chemical composition of three methanolic extracts was studied using LC-MS. After 3 h of exposure to 40 mg/mL R. graveolens extract, a tenfold protoscolocidal effect was seen when compared to the convintional medication (ABZ) for the same duration (P < 0.05). The bacteria listed below were isolated from hydatid cyst fluid collected from a variety of sick locations, including the lung and liver. Micrococcus spp., E. coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter amnigenus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus xylosus, and Achromobacter xylosoxidans are among the bacteria that have been identified. The most effective extract was R. graveolens, followed by P. harmala and C. colocynthis, according to the results of antibacterial activity using the disc diffusion method. R. graveolens extract had the lowest MIC values (less than 2 mg/mL) against all microorganisms tested. This shows that the R. graveolens extract has additional properties, such as the ability to be both scolocidal and bactericidal. Because these bacteria are among the most prevalent pathogenic bacteria that increase the risk of secondary infection during hydatid cysts, the results of inhibitory zones and MICs of the R. graveolens methanol extract are considered highly promising.

Silver nanoparticles biosynthesis using an airborne fungal isolate, Aspergillus flavus: optimization, characterization and antibacterial activity.

Background and Objectives: Nanoscience is one of the most important branches of modern science, which deals with the knowledge, structure, and properties of nanoparticles. This study aimed to investigate the ability of an airborne fungus (Aspergillus flavus) to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and to test the antibacterial activity of the synthesized AgNPs. Materials and Methods: The confirmation of AgNPs synthesis and the characterization of their properties were done using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, Zeta potential, Zeta sizer, FT-IR, and XRD analyses. The antibacterial activity was determined using broth microdilution method. Results: The findings showed that the average diameter of the resultant AgNPs was 474.2 nm with a PDI value of 0.27, and the zeta potential was -33.8 mV. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the AgNPs were regular and spherical in shape. TEM micrographs demonstrated that the AgNPs were smaller than those that were observed by DLS examination because the drying process resulted in particle shrinkage. The average size of AgNPs were less than 35 nm. The AgNPs exhibited a remarkable antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae, E. coli, E. cloacae, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and Shigella sp., and the MIC values ranged from 25 to 100 µg/mL. However, an exception was P. aeruginosa in which its MIC was >125 µg/mL. Conclusion: The results suggest that, the biosynthesized AgNPs by A. flavus could be utilized as a source of potent antibacterial agents in medicine and biotechnological applications.

Phenol biodegradation by plant growth promoting bacterium, S. odorifera: kinetic modeling and process optimization.

One of the main organic pollutants that could result from industrial products and chemical transformations is phenol. In the current study, the kinetics of Serratia odorifera, which was isolated from arable soil, was studied by growing it on broth minimal medium spiked with phenol as only carbon source and energy. The newly isolated plant growth-promoting bacterium (PGPB), S. odorifera, was used for the first time for phenol biodegradation. The growth kinetics parameters (phenol-dependent) including maximum specific growth rate (µmax), half-saturation coefficient (Ks), and the Haldane's growth kinetics inhibition coefficient (Ki), were tested via Haldane inhibition model and resulted on the 0.469 (h -1), 26.6 (mgL-1), and 292 (mgL-1), respectively. The sum of squared error (SSR) of 4.89 × 10-3 was fitted to the experimental data by Haldane equation. The results of phenol biodegradation were fitted into the modified Gombertz model. The increase of phenol concentrations led to increases in both the rate of phenol biodegradation and lagging time. The optimal phenol biodegradation and bacterial growth obtained by S. odorifera, were at 28 °C incubation temperature and a pH of 7.0. The pathway of phenol biodegradation by S. odorifera was proposed in the current study to provide a new insight into synchronization of phenol biodegradation and plant growth-promoting bacteria. This may play an important role in remediation of phenol-contaminated soil besides promoting the plant growth, thus lessening the plant stress.

Bacterial Quality of Urinary Tract Infections in Diabetic and Non Diabetics of the Population of Ma'an Province, Jordan.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) have malfunction in bladder which prompt urine accumulation in its pool which serves a decent situation to the microbes to be develop and cause Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). The UTI is the most infectious disease that affects both males and females. This study was designed to detect the bacterial species responsible for UTI in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients in Ma'an province, Jordan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred sixteen urine samples were investigated to determine UTI-causing bacteria. These samples distributed unequally between diabetic male (12) and diabetic female (25) and also non-diabetic male (13) and non-diabetic female (66). RESULTS: It was observed that E. coli is responsible for large proportion (44.8%) of UTI in both diabetic (15.5%) and non-diabetic (29.3%) patients. This study showed inequality in the bacterial species that were isolated from both diabetic and non-diabetic samples. However, five bacterial species including E. aerogenes, E. cloacae, C. freundii, A. baumannii and B. subtilis did not exist in all diabetic samples. Treatment of UTI in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients with chloramphenicol (30 µg), ciprofloxacin (5 µg) and vancomycin (30 µg) resulted in more favorability than other antibiotics. At the same time cephalothin (30 µg) was not recommended. CONCLUSION: Escherichia coli was the prevailing bacterial infections among those which were isolated from patients with UTI. Certain forms of bacterial infections inclined to be extra common in diabetic patients than others and other infections may be more severe in people with diabetics than in non diabetics.

Fluctuations in relative humidity provided to extremely low-birthweight infants (R1).

BACKGROUND: In extremely low-birthweight infants, the addition of relative humidity (RH) improves thermal stability, fluid and electrolyte balance. However, during routine care this microenvironment is frequently disturbed. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency, magnitude and direction of fluctuations in RH provided to extremely low-birthweight infants. METHODS: All infants in our study had ambient temperature and RH continuously recorded for 48 h using a datalogger device (RH32S-C2). A clinically acceptable range for RH was defined as the set point ± 10%. A secondary analysis was performed to compare outcomes between infants that spent > 50% of the time out-of-range (OOR) or inside the range (IR). A P-value < 0.05 was significant. RESULTS: A total of 20 infants were included. Important fluctuations were detected by the device with infants spending 40% and 14% of the time above and below the range, respectively. However, the RH set point did not differ from the mean levels measured over 48 h by the RH32S-C2 or the incubator. Infants in the OOR group spent significantly more time at values higher than the planned range when compared to IR infants. CONCLUSION: Although significant fluctuations in RH above the desired range were detected in more than half of the infants, the average values were similar to the set points. Nevertheless, knowledge of these dynamic changes may help to optimize individualized care.

Liver fluid collection in neonates and its association with the use of a specific umbilical vein catheter: Report of five cases.

In newborns, the presence of liver fluid collection is a rare event. The reported cases are isolated or described over long periods. Within four months, five neonates were diagnosed with liver fluid collection from safety occurrence reports. Clinical, laboratory and radiological data were extracted from medical records. The definite diagnosis was made by ultrasound. Four of the patients were preterm, male and had very low birth weights. The osmolality of the infused solution was within the acceptable range. Investigations revealed that the use of a new brand of umbilical vein catheter introduced in the neonatal intensive care unit, one month before the first case, was associated with this cluster. Low positioning of the umbilical vein catheter tip appeared to be a second contributory factor. Neonatal practitioners may benefit from the present report when facing the occurrence of similar lesions.

Copper uptake by Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from infected burn patients.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from infected burn patients and characterized by standard biochemical tests. The in vitro copper uptake was compared between this isolated pathogenic strain and two non-pathogenic control strains of gram positive bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis strain Israelis as well as gram negative bacteria Enterobacter aerogenes. Maximum copper uptake of 470 ppm/g biomass was obtained by P. aeruginosa strain, while the control strains B. thuringiensis and Enterobacter aerogenes had copper uptake of 350 and 383 ppm/g biomass, respectively. However, the lowest copper uptake (60 ppm/g biomass) was observed with another control the saprophytic strain Pseudomonas (Shewanella) putrefaciens. A further investigation regarding the effect of copper toxicity on bacterial growth, gave an MIC score of 600 ppm for P. aeruginosa strain compared to 460 and 300 ppm for the two gram positive and gram negative control strains, respectively. In tandem with these in vitro findings, blood analysis on burn patients infected with P. aeruginosa has indicated a selective decrease of copper (hypocupremia) and ceruloplasmin plasma levels. The iron metabolism was also affected by this copper deprivation leading to a similar decrease in plasma levels of PCV, iron, total iron binding capacity, and transferrin. All these hematological changes were significantly different (P < 0.05) from the matched group of non-infected burn patients. The observed hypocupremia in infected burn patients was attributed to demanding scavenger ability by P. aeruginosa strain for the copper of plasma.

Growth kinetics and toxicity of Enterobacter cloacae grown on linear alkylbenzene sulfonate as sole carbon source.

A successful attempt was made to isolate linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS)-degrading bacteria from soil irrigated with wastewater. The isolated bacteria were able to use LAS as sole carbon and energy source. Maximum growth rates on LAS reached only 0.27 h(-1). 16S-rRNA sequencing and fatty-acid analysis placed the bacteria in the genus Enterobacter cloacae. The growth curves of E. cloacae both in the presence of and the absence of LAS were monitored using measurements of optical density at 600 nm in two different media, nutrient broth and M9 minimal medium, and were modeled mathematically. Growth in NB fit the Riccati and Voltera models, indicating that LAS is not toxic to E. cloacae cells. However, growth of E. cloacae in LAS-containing MM fit the Riccati and Voltera models, whereas growth in LAS-free MM fit the Riccati model only. Furthermore, the kinetic data shown were modeled by Monod's, Andrew's, and Tessier's specific growth rate equations, coupled with the rate of consumption of different concentrations of LAS as sole carbon and energy source, and we determined that Andrew's model best fit these data adequately as a result of the cell-inhibitory effect.