Multifunctional Dual Enzyme-Responsive Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Targeting and Enhancing the Treatment of Bacterial Infections.

Bacterial infections pose an increasingly worrisome threat to the health of humankind, with antibiotic resistance contributing significantly to this burden. With current conventional antibiotics perpetuating the problem, and a paucity in developing antibiotics, drug delivery systems incorporating nanotechnology appear promising. As such, a dual enzyme-responsive multifunctional nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) incorporating farnesol (FAN) and triglycerol monostearate (TGMS), was conceptualized for the codelivery of vancomycin (VCM) and antimicrobial peptide (AMP) to enhance the antibacterial activity of VCM.

Disease-Inspired Design of Biomimetic Tannic Acid-Based Hybrid Nanocarriers for Enhancing the Treatment of Bacterial-Induced Sepsis.

This study explored the development of novel biomimetic tannic acid-based hybrid nanocarriers (HNs) for targeted delivery of ciprofloxacin (CIP-loaded TAH-NPs) against bacterial-induced sepsis. The prepared CIP-loaded TAH-NPs exhibited appropriate physicochemical characteristics and demonstrated biocompatibility and nonhemolytic properties. Computational simulations and microscale thermophoresis studies validated the strong binding affinity of tannic acid (TA) and its nanoformulation to human Toll-like receptor 4, surpassing that of the natural substrate lipopolysaccharide (LPS), suggesting a potential competitive inhibition against LPS-induced inflammatory responses.

Novel peptide and hyaluronic acid coated biomimetic liposomes for targeting bacterial infections and sepsis.

Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome resulting from an imbalanced immune response to severe infections. Despite advances in nanomedicines, effective treatments for sepsis are still lacking. Herein, vancomycin free base (VCM)-loaded dual functionalized biomimetic liposomes based on a novel TLR4-targeting peptide (P3) and hyaluronic acid (HA) (HA-P3-Lipo) were developed to enhance sepsis therapy.

Multi-functional pH-responsive and biomimetic chitosan-based nanoplexes for targeted delivery of ciprofloxacin against bacterial sepsis.

Bacterial sepsis is a mortal syndromic disease characterized by a complex pathophysiology that hinders effective targeted therapy. This study aimed to develop multifunctional, biomimetic and pH-responsive ciprofloxacin-loaded chitosan (CS)/sodium deoxycholic acid (SDC) nanoplexes (CS/SDC) nanoplexes with the ability to target and modulate the TLR4 pathway, activated during sepsis. The formulated nanoplexes were characterized in terms of physicochemical properties, in silico and in vitro potential biological activities.

Inflammation-responsive drug delivery nanosystems for treatment of bacterial-induced sepsis.

Sepsis, a complication of dysregulated host immune systemic response to an infection, is life threatening and causes multiple organ injuries. Sepsis is recognized by WHO as a big contributor to global morbidity and mortality. The heterogeneity in sepsis pathophysiology, antimicrobial resistance threat, the slowdown in the development of antimicrobials, and limitations of conventional dosage forms jeopardize the treatment of sepsis.

Stimuli-responsive and biomimetic delivery systems for sepsis and related complications.

Sepsis, a consequence of an imbalanced immune response to infection, is currently one of the leading causes of death globally. Despite advances in the discoveries of potential targets and nanotechnology, sepsis still lacks effective drug delivery systems for optimal treatment. Stimuli-responsive and biomimetic nano delivery systems, specifically, are emerging as advanced bio-inspired nanocarriers for enhancing the treatment of sepsis.

Prophylactic use of platelet-rich plasma for post-spinal low back pain following gynecological surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Post-spinal back pain is suggested to occur as a result of a localized inflammatory response that is often associated with some degree of muscle spasm. We aimed to evaluate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in reducing the incidence of post-spinal back pain.

Methods: One hundred patients were randomly enrolled and scheduled for elective gynecological surgery under spinal anesthesia.

Estimate Stress-Strength Reliability Model Using Rayleigh and Half-Normal Distribution.

In the field of life testing, it is very important to study the reliability of any component under testing. One of the most important subjects is the "stress-strength reliability" term which always refers to the quantity  ( > ) in any statistical literature. It resamples a system with random strength () that is subjected to a random strength () such that a system fails in case the stress exceeds the strength.

Valuable Role of Neutrophil CD64 and Highly Sensitive CRP Biomarkers for Diagnostic, Monitoring, and Prognostic Evaluations of Sepsis Patients in Neonatal ICUs.

Background: Neonatal sepsis (NS) is a very critical medical situation associated with high morbidities and mortalities. There is an utmost need for a new tool helping in early diagnosis and proper management of sepsis neonates. Neutrophil CD64 (nCD64) shows a very promising value in this concerning issue.

Serum progranulin levels in paediatric patients with Gaucher disease; relation to disease severity and liver stiffness by transient elastography.

Background: Non-invasive screening for liver fibrosis using transient elastography (TE) could be of value in the management of Gaucher disease (GD). Progranulin (PGRN) is a novel disease modifier in GD and an independent marker of liver fibrosis.

Objectives: We determined PGRN levels in paediatric patients with GD and assessed its role as a potential marker for disease severity and relation to liver stiffness by TE.

Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Content (Ret He): A Simple Tool for Evaluation of Iron Status in Childhood Cancer.

Background: Cancer-related anemia is a common complication of cancer and its treatment that may be mediated by nutritional deficiency or inflammatory cytokines inhibiting erythropoiesis.

Aim: We evaluated the value of reticulocyte hemoglobin content (Ret He) as a marker of iron availability for erythropoiesis in childhood cancer and the impact of oral iron supplementation on hematologic parameters in patients with low Ret He.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study included 100 pediatric patients with cancer on chemotherapy who were screened for the presence of anemia.

Oxidative stress markers in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: advanced oxidation protein products and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine in relation to disease severity.

Objective: We assessed oxidant-antioxidant status and evaluated the role of lipid peroxidation, oxidative DNA damage, and protein oxidation in the development and severity of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Methods: Forty preterm neonates with RDS were compared with another 40 preterm neonates without RDS enrolled as controls. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and trace elements (copper and zinc) were measured in cord blood (day 0) for all neonates and repeated on day 3 for the RDS group.

Angiopoietin-2 as a Marker of Retinopathy in Children and Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease: Relation to Subclinical Atherosclerosis.

Objectives: Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) is a multifaceted cytokine that functions in both angiogenesis and inflammation. A proangiogenic state has been found in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD), mainly because of elevated Ang-2 levels. We determined Ang-2 level in 40 children and adolescents with SCD compared with 40 healthy controls and assessed its relation to retinopathy as well as carotid intimamedia thickness (CIMT).

Surfactant protein D as a marker for pulmonary complications in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease: Relation to lung function tests.

Background: Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is considered a candidate biomarker for lung integrity and for disease progression.

Aim: We determined the level of SP-D in children and adolescents with SCD and assessed its possible relation to pulmonary complications and lung function.

Methods: Serum SP-D levels were assessed in 50 SCD patients compared with 30 healthy controls.

Evaluation of continuous glucose monitoring system for detection of alterations in glucose homeostasis in pediatric patients with β-thalassemia major.

Background: Disturbances of glucose metabolism are common in β-thalassemia major (β-TM).

Aim: This study was conducted to assess the pattern of glucose homeostasis in pediatric β-TM patients comparing oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS).

Methods: Two-hundred β-TM patients were studied and those with random blood glucose (RBG) ≥7.

Auditory brainstem response in full-term neonates born to mothers with iron deficiency anemia: relation to disease severity.

Iron is crucial for fetal brain development; however, there are insufficient data regarding the effects of maternal iron deficiency anemia (IDA) on auditory neural maturation. We evaluated the effect of maternal IDA on auditory brainstem response (ABR) in full-term neonates. Out of 223 pregnant women, 50 were diagnosed as having IDA and 50 healthy mothers were enrolled as controls.

Comparison of intraperitoneal versus intravenous dexamethasone on postoperative nausea and vomiting after gynecological laparoscopy: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complication following laparascopic surgery. This study compared the effect of intraperitoneal versus intravenous dexamethasone for reducing PONV after gynecological laparoscopic surgeries.

Methods: Eighty adult female patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II, scheduled for gynecological laparoscopic surgery were randomized to receive 8 mg dexamethasone intravenously (IV) (n = 40) or intraperitoneally (IP) (n = 40).

Management of Children With β-Thalassemia Intermedia: Overview, Recent Advances, and Treatment Challenges.

Our knowledge of the various clinical morbidities that thalassemia intermedia (TI) patients endure has substantially increased over the past decade. It is mandatory to grasp a solid understanding of disease-specific complications in order to tailor management. The optimal course of management for TI patients has been hard to identify, and several controversies remain with regard to the best treatment plan.

Dexamethasone alone versus in combination with intra-operative super-hydration for postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis in female patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Dexamethasone has a prophylactic effect on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and perioperative hydration is believed to play a role in PONV prophylaxis. This study was performed to examine the combined effects of pre-induction dexamethasone plus super-hydration on PONV and pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Methods: A total of 100 female patients undergoing LC were enrolled and randomized equally into two groups.

Determinants of platelet count in pediatric patients with congenital cyanotic heart disease: Role of immature platelet fraction.

Objectives: Congenital heart defects are common noninfectious causes of mortality in children. Bleeding and thrombosis are both limiting factors in the management of such patients. We assessed the frequency of thrombocytopenia in pediatric patients with congenital cyanotic heart disease (CCHD) and evaluated determinants of platelet count including immature platelet fraction (IPF) and their role in the pathogenesis of thrombocytopenia.

Comparison of intrathecal versus intra-articular dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine on postoperative pain following knee arthroscopy: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Postoperative pain is a common, distressing symptom following arthroscopic knee surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the potential analgesic effect of dexmedetomidine after intrathecal versus intra-articular administration following arthroscopic knee surgery.

Methods: Ninety patients undergoing unilateral elective arthroscopic knee surgery were randomly assigned into three groups in a double-blind placebo controlled study.

Analgesic Effect of Nalbuphine When Added to Intravenous Regional Anesthesia: A Randomized Control Trial.

Background: Different adjuvant drugs are currently added to lidocaine for intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) to decrease tourniquet and postoperative pain.

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the effect of nalbuphine when added toIVRA.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial.

Transient elastography as a noninvasive assessment tool for hepatopathies of different etiology in pediatric type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Aim: To identify the prevalence and effect of hepatopathies of different etiologies among pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using transient elastography (TE) and its relation to glycemic control.

Methods: One hundred T1DM patients were studied focusing on liver functions, fasting lipid profile, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), hepatitis C virus (HCV), serum immunoglobulins, autoimmune antibodies; anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), anti-smooth muscle antibody (ASMA), and anti-liver kidney microsomal antibody (anti-LKM). Abdominal ultrasound was performed and TE was done for patients with HCV, positive autoimmune antibody and/or abnormal ultrasound findings.

Circulating angiopoietin-2 levels in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus: relation to carotid and aortic intima-media thickness.

Background: Angiopoietin-2 is a growth factor involved in the pathophysiology of vascular and inflammatory diseases such as arteriosclerosis. Carotid or aortic scans provide noninvasive screening tools for assessment of preclinical atherosclerosis in high-risk children.

Aim: We assessed serum angiopoietin-2 in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus as a potential marker for vascular complications in relation to glycemic control, inflammation and vascular structure.