Application of next-generation sequencing to identify different pathogens.

Early and precise detection and identification of various pathogens are essential for epidemiological monitoring, disease management, and reducing the prevalence of clinical infectious diseases. Traditional pathogen detection techniques, which include mass spectrometry, biochemical tests, molecular testing, and culture-based methods, are limited in application and are time-consuming. Next generation sequencing (NGS) has emerged as an essential technology for identifying pathogens.

Osteoarthritis complications and the recent therapeutic approaches.

The accelerated prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) disease worldwide and the lack of convenient management led to the frequent search for unprecedented and specific treatment approaches. OA patients usually suffer from many annoying complications that negatively influence their quality of life, especially in the elderly. Articular erosions may lead eventually to the loss of joint function as a whole which occurs over time according to the risk factors presented in each case and the grade of the disease.

Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles for the treatment of osteoarthritis alone or in combination with Diacerein in a rat model.

Gold (Au) compounds were used as an effective therapeutic agent for various inflammatory diseases; however, the use of Au compounds becomes limited because of its association with several side effects. Hence, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were developed as a new option for the medical proposes. However, the safety evaluation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in osteoarthritis (OA) treatment remains vague.

The association of oxidant-antioxidant status in patients with chronic renal failure.

Oxidative stress has been linked to disease progression, including chronic renal failure (CRF). The aim of the present study was to determine malondialdehyde (MDA) as a sign of lipid peroxidation, and to investigate the association between antioxidant activities and three trace elements, in 49 patients with CRF. The erythrocyte and plasma trace elements [selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu)] and antioxidant defense levels were determined: glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), vitamins E and C.

In vitro biocompatibility and cellular interactions of a chitosan/dextran-based hydrogel for postsurgical adhesion prevention.

In this paper, we report the in vitro biocompatibility and cellular interactions of a chitosan/dextran-based (CD) hydrogel and its components as determined by mutagenicity, cytotoxicity, cytokine/chemokine response, and wound healing assays. The CD hydrogel, developed for postsurgical adhesion prevention in ear, nose, and throat surgeries, was shown by previously published experiments in animal and human trials to be effective. The hydrogel was synthesized from the reaction between succinyl chitosan (SC) and oxidized dextran (DA).

Antimicrobial properties of a chitosan dextran-based hydrogel for surgical use.

A chitosan dextran-based (CD) hydrogel, developed for use in endoscopic sinus surgery, was tested for antimicrobial activity in vitro against a range of pathogenic microorganisms. The microdilution technique was used to determine minimum inhibitory, minimum bactericidal, and minimum fungicidal concentrations. In addition, the time-kill efficacy of CD hydrogel was determined for two bacterial species.