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Heliyon May 2024The AgBr and WO nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and coupled, and the coupled AgBr-WO binary catalyst, as well as the individual AgBr and WO NPs, were then...
The AgBr and WO nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and coupled, and the coupled AgBr-WO binary catalyst, as well as the individual AgBr and WO NPs, were then characterized by XRD, FTIR, DRS, and SEM-EDX. XRD results showed the formation of orthorhombic WO cubic AgBr crystals. The crystallite sizes of 45, 28, and 45 nm were estimated by the Scherrer formula for the as-prepared AgBr, WO and AgBr-WO catalysts, respectively. The DRS study estimated band gap energies using both absorption edge wavelengths and the Kubelka-Munk model. The band gap energies of 2.72, 3.06, and 2.92 eV were obtained for the direct electronic transitions of AgBr, WO, and AgBr-WO. The E (potential position) of AgBr and WO were estimated to be 0.01 and 0.52 V, while their E values were 2.60 and 3.55 V, respectively. Typical FTIR absorption bands of W‒OH, the W‒O‒W, and AgBr bonds have appeared at 1637 cm, 823 (and 766) cm, and 1384 cm respectively. The pHpzc of 4 was estimated for the individual and coupled catalysts. In studying the photocatalytic activity of the catalysts in the photodegradation of metronidazole (MNZ) a boosted activity was achieved for the coupled system. This increased activity depends on the maximum AgBr:WO mole ratio in a 1:3 mol ratio. Grinding time applied to prepare the coupled catalyst has also varied the photocatalytic activity.
PubMed: 38813214
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31353 -
Heliyon May 2024The main aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of patients attended in our area with infection (CDI) (sustained cure, recurrence or death) in relation...
OBJECTIVES
The main aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of patients attended in our area with infection (CDI) (sustained cure, recurrence or death) in relation to treatment to normal or hypervirulent as a risk factor and to describe the resistance profile to metronidazole and vancomycin antibiotics in our hospital over a one-year period.
METHODS
A retrospective, cross-sectional and observational study was conducted between June 2022 and June 2023 to compare the clinical cure and/or recurrence of CDI in adult patients treated in a Spanish secondary Hospital depending on the prescribed antibiotic treatment. In addition, we performed an antimicrobial susceptibility study to vancomycin and metronidazole in all isolated in bacterial culture.
RESULTS
Out of 194 selected patients the treatments were as follow: 43.81 % vancomycin, 21.65 % metronidazole, 8.25 % a combination of both, 6.70 % fidaxomicin and 19.59 % were untreated. Vancomycin and fidaxomicin patients had higher odds ratio of prolonged hospitalization ( = 0.041 and = 0.040, respectively). Fidaxomicin had increased odds of suffering another episode of ( = 0.009) and it was inferior to metronidazole for recurrent CDI (rCDI) ( = 0.035).Resistance profile for was 4.07 % for vancomycin and 3.49 % for metronidazole. Hypervirulent was identified in 17 (8.76 %) patients with 29.41 % of mortality (5/17; p > 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Fidaxomicin treated patients had statistically increased odds of rCDI. Compared to other treatments, fidaxomicin was inferior to metronidazole for rCDI in our cohort;Hypervirulent was not associated with death.Vancomycin resistance of statistically decreased, whereas metronidazole resistance did not vary during the studied period.
PubMed: 38803946
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30742 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2024Acute appendicitis secondary to parasitic infections is uncommon, being detected in less than 1% of cases. Balantidium coli is a parasite found in pigs and primates with...
INTRODUCTION
Acute appendicitis secondary to parasitic infections is uncommon, being detected in less than 1% of cases. Balantidium coli is a parasite found in pigs and primates with zoonotic potential. To date, only three cases of acute appendicitis induced by this parasite have been documented globally.
CASE
A 7-year-old female patient, who consumed pork daily, presented to the emergency department with a one-day history of abdominal pain in the lower quadrants, described as colic-like, alongside abdominal distension. Initial abdominal radiography led to a diagnosis of intestinal obstruction. Conservative management without therapeutic response necessitated referral to a higher complexity center. Upon admission, an abdominal computed tomography scan diagnosed acute appendicitis and secondary ileus. During surgical intervention, an appendiceal phlegmon formed by loops of the small intestine was mechanically released, revealing a perforated appendix with extensive fecal peritoneal contamination. Pathological analysis identified an inflammatory infiltrate and the presence of Balantidium coli trophozoites. Medical treatment included Piperacillin-Tazobactam and Metronidazole. The patient was discharged after 10 days of medical treatment.
DISCUSSION
Acute appendicitis caused by Balantidium coli is a rare occurrence. It is crucial to identify parasites in pathological samples due to their impact on postoperative management. The close contact between humans and pigs, especially in developing countries, suggests that the prevalence of parasitic infection and colonization by Balantidium coli may be higher than currently recognized. Regarding the identification of this patient's specific exposure, the regular consumption of pork suggests the hypothesis that improper processing is linked to the acquisition of the parasitic infection.
PubMed: 38803639
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1410850 -
Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi =... May 2024To investigate the risk factors for (HP) infection in children with primary duodenogastric reflux (DGR) and its impact on gastritis and antibioticresistance.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the risk factors for (HP) infection in children with primary duodenogastric reflux (DGR) and its impact on gastritis and antibioticresistance.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 2 190 children who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Wuxi Children's Hospital from January 2019 to February 2022, among whom 308 children were diagnosed with primary DGR. According to the presence or absence of HP infection, the children were classified to HP infection group (53 children) and non-HP infection group (255 children). The risk factors for HP infection and its impact on the incidence rate and severity of gastritis were analyzed. According to the presence or absence of primary DGR, 331 children with HP infection were classified to primary DGR group (29 children) and non-primary DGR group (302 children), and then the impact of primary DGR with HP infection on antibiotic resistance was analyzed.
RESULTS
The HP infection group had a significantly higher age than the non-HP infection group (<0.05), and there was a significant difference in the age distribution between the two groups (<0.05), while there were no significant differences in the incidence rate and severity of gastritis between the two groups (>0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that older age was a risk factor for HP infection in children with DGR (<0.05). Drug sensitivity test showed that there were no significant differences in the single and combined resistance rates of metronidazole, clarithromycin, and levofloxacin between the primary DGR group and the non-primary DGR group (>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Older age is closely associated with HP infection in children with DGR. Primary DGR with HP infection has no significant impact on gastritis and antibiotic resistance in children.
Topics: Humans; Helicobacter Infections; Gastritis; Helicobacter pylori; Male; Female; Child; Retrospective Studies; Child, Preschool; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Duodenogastric Reflux; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Risk Factors; Adolescent; Infant; Logistic Models
PubMed: 38802910
DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2311086 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Heterogeneity of Helicobacter pylori communities contributes to its pathogenicity and diverse clinical outcomes. We conducted drug-susceptibility tests using four...
Heterogeneity of Helicobacter pylori communities contributes to its pathogenicity and diverse clinical outcomes. We conducted drug-susceptibility tests using four antibiotics, clarithromycin (CLR), amoxicillin (AMX), metronidazole and sitafloxacin, to examine H. pylori population diversity. We also analyzed genes associated with resistance to CLR and AMX. We examined multiple isolates from 42 Japanese patients, including 28 patients in whom primary eradication with CLR and AMX had failed, and 14 treatment-naïve patients. We identified some patients with coexistence of drug resistant- and sensitive-isolates (drug-heteroR/S-patients). More than 60% of patients were drug-heteroR/S to all four drugs, indicating extensive heterogeneity. For the four drugs except AMX, the rates of drug-heteroR/S-patients were higher in treatment-naïve patients than in primary eradication-failure patients. In primary eradication-failure patients, isolates multi-resistant to all four drugs existed among other isolates. In primary eradication-failure drug-heteroR/S-patients, CLR- and AMX-resistant isolates were preferentially distributed to the corpus and antrum with different minimum inhibitory concentrations, respectively. We found two mutations in PBP1A, G591K and A480V, and analyzed these in recombinants to directly demonstrate their association with AMX resistance. Assessment of multiple isolates from different stomach regions will improve accurate assessment of H. pylori colonization status in the stomach.
Topics: Humans; Helicobacter pylori; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Helicobacter Infections; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Mutation; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Amoxicillin; Male; Female; Metronidazole; Stomach; Clarithromycin; Middle Aged; Aged; Adult; Bacterial Proteins; Penicillin-Binding Proteins; Fluoroquinolones
PubMed: 38802465
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62200-1 -
Cureus Apr 2024Background Pulp necrosis in incomplete root formation halts dentine development, resulting in larger canals with fragile walls and an open apex, complicating canal...
Histologic Assessment of a Fast-Set Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) and Two Novel Antibacterial-Enhanced Fast-Set MTAs for Apexification and Periapical Healing of Teeth With Incomplete Root Formation in a Rat Model: An In Vivo Animal Study.
Background Pulp necrosis in incomplete root formation halts dentine development, resulting in larger canals with fragile walls and an open apex, complicating canal instrumentation and apical stop formation. Bioactive endodontic cements such as mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) are crucial for creating artificial apical barriers or inducing apical foramen closure, but challenges remain regarding their antimicrobial efficacy and cytotoxicity. Modifications to MTA formulations aim to address these concerns. Methods This in vivo animal study involved 80 Wistar albino rats, with incomplete root formation induced by pulp exposure. Rats were divided into four groups receiving different MTA formulations for apexification: conventional MTA, modified MTA, and MTA enhanced with metronidazole or doxycycline. Histopathological evaluations were conducted at seven and 28 days post-treatment to assess calcific barrier formation, inflammatory reactions, and antimicrobial efficacy. Results By day 7, modified MTA formulations exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity compared to conventional MTA (p = 0.000), with fewer inflammatory reactions and microorganisms. By day 28, modified formulations showed superior calcific barrier formation, particularly in the metronidazole- and doxycycline-enhanced groups compared to conventional MTA (p = 0.000). These outcomes suggest that modifications to MTA formulations improve antimicrobial efficacy and calcific barrier formation in vivo. Conclusion Novel modified MTA formulations, particularly those enhanced with metronidazole or doxycycline, exhibit superior antibacterial efficacy and calcific barrier formation compared to conventional MTA. Further long-term studies are warranted to validate these findings for potential clinical translation.
PubMed: 38800318
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59064 -
Public Health Action Mar 2024Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can impact individuals of any demographic. The most common pathogens causing STIs are , and ; these can be treated with specific...
SETTING
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can impact individuals of any demographic. The most common pathogens causing STIs are , and ; these can be treated with specific antibiotics.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the GeneXpert CT/NG test-and-treat algorithm to the syndromic approach algorithm and their impact on antibiotic prescription for gonorrhoea and chlamydia STIs.
DESIGN
A retrospective observational study on women aged ≥18 years who accessed the Médecins Sans Frontières Day Care Centre in Athens with complaints related to urogenital infections between January 2021 and March 2022. Women with abnormal vaginal discharge, excluding clinically diagnosed candidiasis, were eligible for Xpert CT/NG testing.
RESULTS
Of the 450 women who accessed care, 84 were eligible for Xpert CT/NG testing, and only one was positive for chlamydia, therefore resulting in saving 81 doses of ceftriaxone and azithromycin, and 19 doses of metronidazole. The cost of Xpert CT/NG testing, including treatment was €4,606.37, while full antibiotic treatment would have costed €536.76.
CONCLUSION
The overall cost of the Xpert CT/NG test-and-treat algorithm was higher than the syndromic approach. However, quality of care should be weighed against the potential benefits of testing and syndromic treatment to determine the best option for each patient; we therefore advocate for decreasing the costs.
PubMed: 38798779
DOI: 10.5588/pha.23.0022 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The theoretical interpretation of the vaginal permeability phenomenon, the evaluation of the suitability of five artificial membranes, and the prediction of the... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
The theoretical interpretation of the vaginal permeability phenomenon, the evaluation of the suitability of five artificial membranes, and the prediction of the behaviors of vaginal drugs were the main objectives of this study. Franz vertical diffusion cells and different validated HPLC methods were used to measure the permeability of six vaginally administered drugs (econazole, miconazole, metronidazole, clindamycin, lidocaine, and nonoxynol-9). This study was performed (in vitro) on different membranes of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), plain cellulose or cellulose impregnated with isopropyl myristate (IPM), and cellulose combined with PVDF or IPM. The results were compared with those obtained from cow vaginal tissue (ex vivo), where cellulose was proven to be the best simulant. According to the permeability profiles (P), the water solubility of the drugs was considered a necessary criterion for their transport in the membranes or in the tissue, while the size was important for their penetration. Furthermore, it was found that polar compounds show clear superiority when penetrating cellulose or tissue, while non-polar ones show superiority when penetrating the lipophilic PVDF membrane. Finally, a successful attempt was made to predict the P values (|P-predP| < 0.005) of the six drugs under study based on a PLS (Partial Least Squares) in silico simulation model.
Topics: Female; Membranes, Artificial; Vagina; Permeability; Administration, Intravaginal; Animals; Polyvinyls; Cellulose; Cattle; Humans; Solubility; Fluorocarbon Polymers
PubMed: 38792194
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102334 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Melanoma, arguably the deadliest form of skin cancer, is responsible for the majority of skin-cancer-related fatalities. Innovative strategies concentrate on new...
Melanoma, arguably the deadliest form of skin cancer, is responsible for the majority of skin-cancer-related fatalities. Innovative strategies concentrate on new therapies that avoid the undesirable effects of pharmacological or medical treatment. This article discusses the chemical structures of [(MTZ)AgNO], [(MTZ)Ag]SO, [Ag(MCZ)NO], [Ag(MCZ)BF], [Ag(MCZ)SbF] and [Ag(MCZ)ClO] (MTZ-metronidazole; MCZ-miconazole) silver(I) compounds and the possible relationship between the molecules and their cytostatic activity against melanoma cells. Molecular Hirshfeld surface analysis and computational methods were used to examine the possible association between the structure and anticancer activity of the silver(I) complexes and compare the cytotoxicity of the silver(I) complexes of metronidazole and miconazole with that of silver(I) nitrate, cisplatin, metronidazole and miconazole complexes against A375 and BJ cells. Additionally, these preliminary biological studies found the greatest IC values against the A375 line were demonstrated by [Ag(MCZ)NO] and [(MTZ)AgNO]. The compound [(MTZ)AgNO] was three-fold more toxic to the A375 cells than the reference (cisplatin) and 15 times more cytotoxic against the A375 cells than the normal BJ cells. Complexes of metronidazole with Ag(I) are considered biocompatible at a concentration below 50 µmol/L.
Topics: Humans; Melanoma; Miconazole; Silver; Antineoplastic Agents; Metronidazole; Cell Line, Tumor; Coordination Complexes; Cell Survival; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 38791121
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105081 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Human amoebiasis still represents a major health problem worldwide. Metronidazole has been used as the most common drug to treat the disease; however, it is also known...
Human amoebiasis still represents a major health problem worldwide. Metronidazole has been used as the most common drug to treat the disease; however, it is also known that the drug causes undesirable side effects. This has led to the search for new pharmacological alternatives which include phytochemical compounds with antiamoebic effects. We analyzed the amoebicidal activity of stevioside (STV), a diterpene glycoside present in , on trophozoites of . Different concentrations of STV were tested, and an inhibitory concentration of 50% of cell viability (IC) was determined with an exposition of 9.53 mM for 24 h. Trophozoites exposed to STV showed morphological changes evidenced by the decrease in the basic structures related to the movement and adherence to the substrate, as well as ultrastructural features characterized by a loss of regularity on the cell membrane, an increase in cytoplasmic granularity, and an increase in apparent autophagic vacuoles. Also, the decrease in cysteine protease expression and the proteolytic activity of trophozoites to degrade the cell monolayer were analyzed. A histological analysis of hamster livers inoculated with trophozoites and treated with STV showed changes related to the granulomatous reaction of the liver parenchymal tissue. Our results constitute the first report related to the possible use of STV as a therapeutic alternative in amoebiasis.
PubMed: 38787225
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050373