Optimized Extraction of Polyphenols from Kiwifruit Peels and Their Biological Activities.

(1) Background: Kiwifruit is a globally valued fruit. Its industrial processing produces a substantial amount of waste, particularly peels, which present an appealing potential source of bioactive compounds. This study focuses on optimizing the extraction of phenolics from kiwi peels using a water bath (WB) and infrared irradiation (IR) and assessing their biological activities.

Knowledge and prevalence of urinary tract infection among pregnant women in Lebanon.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) rank among the most prevalent medical complications during pregnancy, affecting a significant number of women of reproductive age. We aimed to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infections among pregnant women and assess their knowledge of developing UTIs in Lebanon. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 215 pregnant women in Lebanon recruited via convenience sampling from various gynecologists and midwives between March 2023 and May 2023.

Gram-negative bacterial colonization in the gut: Isolation, characterization, and identification of resistance mechanisms.

Background: The gut microbiome is made up of a diverse range of bacteria, especially gram-negative bacteria, and is crucial for human health and illness. There is a great deal of interest in the dynamic interactions between gram-negative bacteria and their host environment, especially considering antibiotic resistance. This work aims to isolate gram-negative bacteria that exist in the gut, identify their species, and use resistance-associated gene analysis to define their resistance mechanisms.

Identifying the panorama of potential pandemic pathogens and their key characteristics: a systematic scoping review.

The globe has recently seen several terrifying pandemics and outbreaks, underlining the ongoing danger presented by infectious microorganisms. This literature review aims to explore the wide range of infections that have the potential to lead to pandemics in the present and the future and pave the way to the conception of epidemic early warning systems. A systematic review was carried out to identify and compile data on infectious agents known to cause pandemics and those that pose future concerns.

Evaluation of synergistic/antagonistic antibacterial activities of fatty oils from apricot, date, grape, and black seeds.

The increasing antimicrobial resistance requires continuous investigation of new antimicrobial agents preferably derived from natural sources. New powerful antibacterial agents can be produced by simply combining oils that are known for their antibacterial activities. In this study, apricot seed oil (ASO), date seed oil (DSO), grape seed oil (GSO), and black seed oil (BSO) alone and in binary mixtures were assessed.

Evaluation of the Phenolic Composition and Biological Activities of Six Aqueous Date ( L.) Seed Extracts Originating from Different Countries: A Comparative Analysis.

Date seeds, which are the main by-products of date fruit consumption, were shown to possess promising biological activities and health benefits with minimal human use. The present investigation analyzed and compared the phenolic content of six date seed varieties from four different origins (Khudari, Sakai, and Safawi from Saudi Arabia, Majdool from Jordan, Zahdi from Iraq, and Kabkab from Iran). The aqueous extracts were examined for possible antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-tumor potential.

Epidemiology and resistance profiles of Enterobacterales in a tertiary care hospital in Lebanon: a 4-year retrospective study.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a worldwide problem that threatens treatment effectiveness against the most serious bacterial infections. AMR in Enterobacterales is highly prevalent in Lebanon. However, recent reports regarding the distribution of Enterobacterales and related antimicrobial susceptibility are scarce.

High frequency and molecular characterization of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolated from wound infections in North Lebanon.

Background: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) represent a major problem in wound infections. Here, we investigated the prevalence and molecular characterization of ESBL-PE associated with wound infections in North Lebanon.

Research Design And Methods: A total of 103 non-duplicated and strains isolated from 103 patients with wound infections, were collected from seven hospitals in North Lebanon.

Updates on the Status of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales in Lebanon.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) pathogens have been increasingly isolated and reported in Lebanon. Several studies have been published over the last two decades about the CRE situation in the country. However, compared to the worldwide data, those studies are scarce and mostly restricted to single center studies.

The impact of vaccination on the burden of invasive pneumococcal disease from a nationwide surveillance program in Lebanon: an unexpected increase in mortality driven by non-vaccine serotypes.

Background: The impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) on the burden of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and serotype distribution was examined across age groups from data collected by the Lebanese Inter-Hospital Pneumococcal Surveillance Program.

Methods: Between 2005 and 2020, 593 invasive isolates were collected from 79 hospitals throughout Lebanon. Serotypes and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles were identified, and trends compared over 3 eras: PCV7, post-PCV7/ pre-PCV13, and PCV13 eras.

Helicobacter Pylori Interacts with Serum Vitamin D to Influence Hypertension.

Hypertension is a multifactorial disease where numerous constitutive, genetic, and environmental factors interplay. Among the constitutive factors, age is a major determent continuously reported to be associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of hypertension. In addition to age, Helicobacter pylori (H.

Molecular epidemiology and clonality of Acinetobacter spp in a Lebanese hospital over a period of one year.

Introduction: The worldwide emergence of antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter spp and their clonal dissemination call for the investigation into Acinetobacter spp epidemiology.

Methodology: 100 nonrepetitive Acinetobacter spp isolates were recovered from patients admitted at Saint- George-Hospital-University-Medical-Center-Beirut, in a one-year period. Identification of the isolates was determined by the API20NE and confirmed by PCR amplification of blaOXA-51-like.

ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in two major Lebanese hospitals: molecular epidemiology and correlation with consumption.

Introduction: Extended-spectrum - beta lactamases (ESBLs) are increasingly detected globally among Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The correlation between antibiotics use and resistance, though not fully described, has been addressed and shown in several studies. In this study, the profiles of ESBLs in E.

Resistance and clonality in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. and relationship with antibiotic consumption in major Lebanese hospitals.

Objectives: Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) are increasingly detected globally among Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. Studies show a link between inappropriate use of antibiotics and resistance. In this study, the profiles of ESBLs in E.

Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Lebanese Hospital Wastewater: Implication in the One Health Concept.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing organisms pose severe problems for hospitalized patients. In the absence of efficient sanitation and sewage disposal, the risks for transmission of hospital organisms into the community are high. Our objectives were to study the occurrence and mechanisms of resistance of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli in two Lebanese hospital sewage treatment plants.

Carriage of beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae among nursing home residents in north Lebanon.

Background: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacteriaceae can cause severe infections with high morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Individuals can be fecal carriers of these resistant organisms. Data on the extent of MDR Enterobacteriaceae fecal carriage in the community setting in Lebanon are very scarce.

Corrigendum: Escherichia coli Isolated from Urinary Tract Infections of Lebanese Patients between 2005 and 2012: Epidemiology and Profiles of Resistance.

[This corrects the article on p. 26 in vol. 2, PMID: 4415468.

Escherichia coli Isolated from Urinary Tract Infections of Lebanese Patients between 2005 and 2012: Epidemiology and Profiles of Resistance.

The early treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is directly related to decrease in morbidity, which makes the empirical treatment of great importance. Recently, beta lactamases of several types have emerged as significant mechanisms of resistance in Gram-negative bacilli, especially Escherichia coli. Our aim was to study the urinary E.

Mutant prevention concentrations of ciprofloxacin against urinary isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Introduction: The aim of this work was to study the ability of ciprofloxacin to restrict the development of resistant mutants of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae through determination of the Mutant Prevention Concentration (MPC).

Methodology: We studied 140 strains of E. coli and 86 strains of K.