Latrunculin U: a potent actin-disrupter from the Red Sea marine sponge .

During our efforts to identify biologically active compounds from Red Sea marine invertebrates, a new compound, latrunculin U (), was identified from the Red Sea sponge along with latrunculins A (), B (), and 16--latrunculin B (). The structures of the latrunculins were elucidated based on a combination of comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR analyses and high-resolution mass spectral determinations. The antiproliferative potency of each compound in HeLa cells was evaluated, and they had IC values ranging from 0.

Harnessing the power of miRNAs for precision diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

Infertility is a multifactorial reproductive system disorder, and most infertility cases occur in men. Semen testing is now thought to be the most important diagnostic test for infertile men; nonetheless, because of its limitations, the cause of infertility remains unknown for 40% of infertile men. Semen assessment's shortcomings indicate the need for improved and innovative diagnostic techniques and biomarkers worldwide.

Exploring characteristics and severity of road traffic injuries in Lebanon using emergency department hospital-based data.

In Lebanon, the lack of quality data on road traffic injuries (RTIs) led to the implementation of a hospital-based RTI surveillance system by the Ministry of Health in in private and public-run hospitals in the Bekaa governorate. This paper aims to describe the characteristics and severity of RTIs recorded over two years during the pilot phase. It also assesses the strengths and challenges of the surveillance system, highlighting areas for enhancement.

Definition of a coordinate system for multi-modal images of the temporal bone and inner ear.

Purpose: The position and orientation of the head is maintained to be relatively similar during the CT / MR imaging process. However, the position / orientation dissimilarities present in the resulting images between patients, or between different scans of the same patient, do not allow for direct comparison of the images themselves or features / metrics extracted from them. This paper introduces a method of defining a coordinate system which is consistent between patients and modalities (CT and MR) for images of the temporal bone, using easily identifiable landmarks within the semicircular canals.

Red Sea Sponge Extract Induced Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis in Breast MCF-7 and Hepatic HepG-2 Cancer Cell Lines in 2D and 3D Cell Cultures.

Introduction: The increasing incidence of cancer diseases necessitates the urgent exploration of new bioactive compounds. One of the trends in drug discovery is marine sponges which is gaining significant support due to the abundant production of natural pharmaceutical compounds obtained from marine ecosystems. This study evaluates the anticancer properties of an organic extract from the Red Sea sponge on HepG-2 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines.

Leptochelins A-C, Cytotoxic Metallophores Produced by Geographically Dispersed Strains of Marine Cyanobacteria.

Metals are important cofactors in the metabolic processes of cyanobacteria, including photosynthesis, cellular respiration, DNA replication, and the biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites. In adaptation to the marine environment, cyanobacteria use metallophores to acquire trace metals when necessary as well as to reduce potential toxicity from excessive metal concentrations. Leptochelins A-C were identified as structurally novel metallophores from three geographically dispersed cyanobacteria of the genus .

Formulation of quinoa oil-alginate loaded nanoemulsion and its anticancer efficacy as a therapy for chemically induced breast cancer.

Background: Quinoa seeds (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) have gained interest due to their naturally occurring phytochemicals and antioxidants. They possess potent anticancer properties against human colorectal cancer.

Exploring the association between the Arabic version of the Traffic Locus of Control, driving behavior, and road traffic crashes: A multidimensional approach.

The Traffic Locus of Control scale (T-LOC) serves as a measure of drivers' personality attributes, providing insights into their perceptions of potential causes of road traffic crashes (RTCs). This study meticulously evaluated the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of T-LOC (T-LOC-A) among Lebanese drivers. Additionally, the study aimed to explore associations between the T-LOC scale and various driving variables, including driver behavior, accident involvement, and traffic offenses.

Natural Killer Cell Dysfunction In Human Bladder Cancer Is Caused By Tissue-Specific Suppression of SLAMF6 Signaling.

NK cells are innate lymphocytes critical for surveillance of viruses and tumors, however the mechanisms underlying NK cell dysfunction in cancer are incompletely understood. We assessed the effector function of NK cells from bladder cancer patients and found severe dysfunction in NK cells derived from tumors versus peripheral blood. While both peripheral and tumor-infiltrating NK cells exhibited conserved patterns of inhibitory receptor over-expression, this did not explain the observed defects in NK surveillance in bladder tumors.

Unusual Presentation of Corynebacterium Endocarditis in a Patient Without Conventional Risk Factors: A Case Report.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a widespread condition marked by the infection of native or prosthetic heart valves, the endocardial surface, or an indwelling cardiac device. While native-valve IE is uncommon, patients with IE represent a diverse spectrum. Some respond well to treatment with few complications, while others face severe complications and an increased risk of mortality.

Green synthesis of silver and iron oxide nanoparticles mediated photothermal effects on Blastocystis hominis.

The evolution of parasite resistance to antiparasitic agents has become a serious health issue indicating a critical and pressing need to develop new therapeutics that can conquer drug resistance. Nanoparticles are novel, promising emerging drug carriers that have demonstrated efficiency in treating many parasitic diseases. Lately, attention has been drawn to a broad-spectrum nanoparticle capable of converting absorbed light into heat via the photothermal effect phenomenon.

Evaluation of Cytotoxicity of the Methanolic Extract of Red Sea Marine Sponge Xestospongia Testudinaria and Its Related Compounds Against MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells.

Background: Breast cancer is a leading cause of death and one of the most common fatal medical conditions in the world. Chemical compounds of various types have been identified in the Red Sea marine sponge , including sterol esters, sterols, indole alkaloids, and brominated polyunsaturated fatty acids. These compounds have demonstrated promising biological features, which in cludes anti-inflammatory, cancer preventive, and antioxidant capacities.

Improvement of adult female acne with a novel weekly oestradiol-loaded peel-off mask: a split-face placebo-controlled study.

Background: Adult female acne (AFA) is characterized by a relapsing eruption of acne in women aged ≥ 25 years. It can be slower to respond to traditional adolescent acne treatments. Usually, androgens promote acne by stimulating sebum production, while oestrogens have the -opposite effect by reducing sebum output when present in adequate quantities.

A rare case of empyema due to in the setting of COVID-19.

Introduction: is a Gram-positive anaerobic rod that is part of the normal skin flora, as well as the oral cavity, genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts. When detected, it is usually considered contaminant; but it is infrequently responsible for invasive infections, mainly neurosurgical and joint infections. It is rarely found as a pathogen responsible for lung infections or empyema.

Evaluation of ceftriaxone pharmacokinetics in hospitalized Egyptian pediatric patients.

This study aimed to evaluate ceftriaxone pharmacokinetics that affects the achievement of targets in the treatment of critically ill children (meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, peritonitis, and infective endocarditis( who were admitted to Zagazig University Pediatric hospital in Egypt to monitor for the drug adverse effects.Blood samples were obtained from 24 hospitalized pediatric patients (ages ranging from 2.5 months to 12 years) after administering the calculated dose of ceftriaxone via intravenous bolus route.

Unveiling the unknown: first comprehensive assessment of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of hospital cleaning services staff regarding COVID-19 in Lebanon during the pandemic.

Background: Hospital cleaners are the unsung heroes in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of hospital cleaners towards COVID-19 and determine factors associated with good practices.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lebanon between the 1st and 14th November 2020.

A new perspective on quantitative assessment of photodynamic therapy mediated hydrogel nanocomposite in wound healing using objective biospeckle and morphological local-gradient.

Skin wounding is a serious public health issue, especially when considering factors that accelerate tissue recovery. Consequently, the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as an effective wound-healing treatment has attracted more scientific attention. Although assessing the wound healing rate is crucial for appropriate monitoring of the probability of wound healing and evaluating the treatment efficiency, the currently used techniques lack the ability to provide such information.

Following the COVID-19 playbook and battling another infodemic: conspiracy beliefs around human monkeypox among the Lebanese population.

Introduction: The non-endemic multicountry outbreak of monkeypox (MPX) has emphasized the issue of conspiracy theories that go viral in times of societal crisis. Now, it is the turn of MPX to join COVID-19 in the conspiracy theory realm. Social media outlets were flooded by a scourge of misinformation as soon as MPX cases began to appear with an evident cross-pollination between diverse conspiracy theories.

Neuronal Spiking Responses to Direct Electrical Microstimulation in the Human Cortex.

Microstimulation can modulate the activity of individual neurons to affect behavior, but the effects of stimulation on neuronal spiking are complex and remain poorly understood. This is especially challenging in the human brain where the response properties of individual neurons are sparse and heterogeneous. Here we use microelectrode arrays in the human anterior temporal lobe in 6 participants (3 female) to examine the spiking responses of individual neurons to microstimulation delivered through multiple distinct stimulation sites.

Driving anger dimensions and their relationship with aberrant driver behavior in Lebanon: Results from a national self-reported survey.

Driving anger may vary across countries due to culture. This might affect driver behavior, which, in turn, impacts the driving outcomes. This study aims to investigate the relationship between socio-demographic variables, driving anger, and the self-reported aberrant behavior among Lebanese drivers and to determine which anger dimension is linked to driving behavior.