Hamatometacarpal fracture-dislocation: A case report.

Hamatometacarpal fracture-dislocation is a rare condition. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature. We present the case of a 26-year-old male patient who sustained a coronal fracture of the body of the hamate with the fifth metacarpal base interposed between volar and dorsal fragments on his right dominant hand. The patient underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the hamate with a 2.0-mm cortical screw and stabilization of the dislocated fifth metacarpal with Kirschner wire. At six months follow-up, total range of movement was allowed, the patient experienced no pain, and had successfully returned to work.

Smart stimuli-responsive polysaccharide nanohydrogels for drug delivery: a review.

Polysaccharides have found extensive utilization as biomaterials in drug delivery systems owing to their remarkable biocompatibility, simple functionalization, and inherent biological properties. Within the array of polysaccharide-based biomaterials, there is a growing fascination for self-assembled polysaccharide nanogels (NG) due to their ease of preparation and enhanced appeal across diverse biomedical appliances. Nanogel (or nanohydrogel), networks of nanoscale dimensions, are created by physically or chemically linking polymers together and have garnered immense interest as potential carriers for delivering drugs due to their favorable attributes. These include biocompatibility, high stability, the ability to adjust particle size, the capacity to load drugs, and their inherent potential to modify their surface to actively target specific cells or tissues via the attachment of ligands that can recognize corresponding receptors. Nanogels can be engineered to respond to specific stimuli, such as pH, temperature, light, or redox conditions, allowing controlled release of the encapsulated drugs. This intelligent targeting capability helps prevent drug accumulation in unintended tissues and reduces the potential side effects. Herein, an overview of nanogels is offered, comprising their methods of preparation and the design of stimulus-responsive nanogels that enable controlled release of drugs in response to specific stimuli.

Maximizing reusability of learning objects through machine learning techniques.

Maximizing the reusability of learning objects through machine learning techniques has significantly transformed the landscape of e-learning systems. This progress has fostered authentic resource sharing and expanded opportunities for learners to explore these materials with ease. Consequently, a pressing need arises for an efficient categorization system to organize these learning objects effectively. This study consists of two primary phases. Firstly, we extract metadata from learning objects using web exploration algorithms, specifically employing feature selection techniques to identify the most relevant features while eliminating redundant ones. This step drastically reduces the dataset's dimensionality, enabling the creation of practical and useful models. In the second phase, we employ machine learning algorithms to categorize learning objects based on their specific forms of similarity. These algorithms are adept at accurately classifying objects by measuring their similarity using Euclidean distance metrics. To evaluate the effectiveness of learning objects through machine learning techniques, a series of experimental studies were conducted using a real-world dataset. The results of this study demonstrate that the proposed machine learning approach surpasses traditional methods, yielding promising and efficient outcomes for enhancing learning object reusability.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Swelling Properties of a New Highly Absorbent Hydrogel Based on Carboxymethyl Guar Gum Reinforced with Bentonite and Silica Particles for Disposable Hygiene Products.

Superabsorbent polymers derived from petroleum have been widely used as the primary component of high-water-absorption disposable sanitary products. However, environmental concerns as well as unstable market prices influence the quality of disposable hygiene products. The development of superabsorbent polymers from natural, non-petroleum-derived materials has become more predominant. In the present study, two borax-cross-linked carboxymethyl guar-based superabsorbents with bentonite (CMG-Bt) and fumed silica particle reinforcement (CMG-Bt-Si) were synthesized. The materials have been fully characterized by various techniques. The swelling behavior was studied through free swelling capacity (FSC) and centrifuge retention capacity (CRC). The swelling kinetics and urea absorption capacity were further analyzed. The effects of the cross-linking ratio, mineral clay, silica particles, and pH of the liquids on the swelling properties of the superabsorbents have been studied. The incorporation of silica particles demonstrated a positive effect on water uptake reaching 78.63 and 41.09 g/g of FSC and CRC, respectively, at an optimum pH of 6.8. The optimum swelling kinetics were attributed to CMG-Bt-Si of 5 wt % silica particle content, indicating a velocity parameter (ζ) of 41 s in saline solution. Finally, the highest swelling values were obtained at 10, 10, and 5 wt % for the cross-linking ratio, bentonite content, and silica particle content, respectively; in addition, the absorption of urea by the CMG-Bt-Si material was also confirmed.

Recent Advances in Adsorptive Nanocomposite Membranes for Heavy Metals Ion Removal from Contaminated Water: A Comprehensive Review.

Water contamination is one of the most urgent concerns confronting the world today. Heavy metal poisoning of aquatic systems has piqued the interest of various researchers due to the high toxicity and carcinogenic consequences it has on living organisms. Due to their exceptional attributes such as strong reactivity, huge surface area, and outstanding mechanical properties, nanomaterials are being produced and employed in water treatment. In this review, recent advances in the use of nanomaterials in nanoadsorptive membrane systems for wastewater treatment and heavy metal removal are extensively discussed. These materials include carbon-based nanostructures, metal nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and layered double hydroxide-based compounds. Furthermore, the relevant properties of the nanostructures and the implications on their performance for water treatment and contamination removal are highlighted. The hydrophilicity, pore size, skin thickness, porosity, and surface roughness of these nanostructures can help the water permeability of the nanoadsorptive membrane. Other properties such as surface charge modification and mechanical strength can improve the metal adsorption effectiveness of nanoadsorptive membranes during wastewater treatment. Various nanocomposite membrane fabrication techniques are also reviewed. This study is important because it gives important information on the roles of nanomaterials and nanostructures in heavy metal removal and wastewater treatment.

Novel Nanotechnology-Based Approaches for Targeting HIV Reservoirs.

Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) is prescribed for HIV infection and, to a certain extent, limits the infection's spread. However, it cannot completely eradicate the latent virus in remote and cellular reservoir areas, and due to the complex nature of the infection, the total eradication of HIV is difficult to achieve. Furthermore, monotherapy and multiple therapies are not of much help. Hence, there is a dire need for novel drug delivery strategies that may improve efficacy, decrease side effects, reduce dosing frequency, and improve patient adherence to therapy. Such a novel strategy could help to target the reservoir sites and eradicate HIV from different biological sanctuaries. In the current review, we have described HIV pathogenesis, the mechanism of HIV replication, and different biological reservoir sites to better understand the underlying mechanisms of HIV spread. Further, the review deliberates on the challenges faced by the current conventional drug delivery systems and introduces some novel drug delivery strategies that have been explored to overcome conventional drug delivery limitations. In addition, the review also summarizes several nanotechnology-based approaches that are being explored to resolve the challenges of HIV treatment by the virtue of delivering a variety of anti-HIV agents, either as combination therapies or by actively targeting HIV reservoir sites.

Functional Thermoresponsive Hydrogel Molecule to Material Design for Biomedical Applications.

Temperature-induced, rapid changes in the viscosity and reproducible 3-D structure formation makes thermos-sensitive hydrogels an ideal delivery system to act as a cell scaffold or a drug reservoir. Moreover, the hydrogels' minimum invasiveness, high biocompatibility, and facile elimination from the body have gathered a lot of attention from researchers. This review article attempts to present a complete picture of the exhaustive arena, including the synthesis, mechanism, and biomedical applications of thermosensitive hydrogels. A special section on intellectual property and marketed products tries to shed some light on the commercial potential of thermosensitive hydrogels.

Polymeric biomaterials for wound healing applications: a comprehensive review.

Chronic wounds have been a global health threat over the past few decades, requiring urgent medical and research attention. The factors delaying the wound-healing process include obesity, stress, microbial infection, aging, edema, inadequate nutrition, poor oxygenation, diabetes, and implant complications. Biomaterials are being developed and fabricated to accelerate the healing of chronic wounds, including hydrogels, nanofibrous, composite, foam, spongy, bilayered, and trilayered scaffolds. Some recent advances in biomaterials development for healing both chronic and acute wounds are extensively compiled here. In addition, various properties of biomaterials for wound-healing applications and how they affect their performance are reviewed. Based on the recent literature, trilayered constructs appear to be a convincing candidate for the healing of chronic wounds and complete skin regeneration because they mimic the full thickness of skin: epidermis, dermis, and the hypodermis. This type of scaffold provides a dense superficial layer, a bioactive middle layer, and a porous lower layer to aid the wound-healing process. The hydrophilicity of scaffolds aids cell attachment, cell proliferation, and protein adhesion. Other scaffold characteristics such as porosity, biodegradability, mechanical properties, and gas permeability help with cell accommodation, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and the release of bioactive factors.

Size-Dependent Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, and Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Solvent Extraction of Rosa indica L. Petals.

In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are synthesized through a green approach by employing Rosa indica L. petal (RE) extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents, which are extracted using three different solvents: ethanol (Et), acetone (Ac), and water (Aq). The phase formation of the AgNPs is confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Morphological analysis is performed using a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), which reveals that the AgNPs are spherical in shape. The size is estimated using ImageJ software, which is found to be ~12, 18, and 770 nm for RE-Ac-Ag, RE-Et-Ag, and RE-Aq-Ag, respectively. The phytochemicals of Rosa indica L. petals involved in the formation of the AgNPs are studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Finally, these materials are studied for their antibacterial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and hemolytic activity, as well as cell toxicity properties. The materials, RE-Ac-Ag and RE-Et-Ag, are found to be more effective than RE-Aq-Ag in inhibiting E. coli (Gram-negative bacteria) and S. aureus (Gram-positive bacteria). Hemolytic studies reveal that all of the samples show concentration-dependent activity up to 50 µg/mL. RE-Ac-Ag and RE-Et-Ag exhibit nonhemolytic behavior, whereas RE-Aq-Ag remains nonhemolytic until 100 µg/mL. The antidiabetic ability of the AgNPs is evaluated using α-amylase inhibition assay (DNSA assay) and α-glucosidase inhibition assay. The results are found to be effective, with IC50 values of α-amylase and α-glycosidase being 50, 50, and 75 µg/mL for RE-Et-Ag, RE-Ac-Ag, and RE-Aq-Ag, respectively. DPPH assay shows that the AgNPs inhibited the antioxidants well, with IC50 values of 40 µg/mL for RE-Et-Ag and RE-Ac-Ag and 60 µg/mL for RE-Aq-Ag. The toxicity study reveals that the AgNPs show size- and concentration-dependent behavior. Overall, it is realized from the findings that RE-Ac-Ag, RE-Et-Ag, and RE-Aq-Ag show size-dependent antibacterial, antidiabetic, and toxicity properties.

An Overview of Antimicrobial Stewardship Optimization: The Use of Antibiotics in Humans and Animals to Prevent Resistance.

Antimicrobials are a type of agent widely used to prevent various microbial infections in humans and animals. Antimicrobial resistance is a major cause of clinical antimicrobial therapy failure, and it has become a major public health concern around the world. Increasing the development of multiple antimicrobials has become available for humans and animals with no appropriate guidance. As a result, inappropriate use of antimicrobials has significantly produced antimicrobial resistance. However, an increasing number of infections such as sepsis are untreatable due to this antimicrobial resistance. In either case, life-saving drugs are rendered ineffective in most cases. The actual causes of antimicrobial resistance are complex and versatile. A lack of adequate health services, unoptimized use of antimicrobials in humans and animals, poor water and sanitation systems, wide gaps in access and research and development in healthcare technologies, and environmental pollution have vital impacts on antimicrobial resistance. This current review will highlight the natural history and basics of the development of antimicrobials, the relationship between antimicrobial use in humans and antimicrobial use in animals, the simplistic pathways, and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, and how to control the spread of this resistance.

Recent Advancements in Microneedle Technology for Multifaceted Biomedical Applications.

Microneedle (MNs) technology is a recent advancement in biomedical science across the globe. The current limitations of drug delivery, like poor absorption, low bioavailability, inadequate skin permeation, and poor biodistribution, can be overcome by MN-based drug delivery. Nanotechnology made significant changes in fabrication techniques for microneedles (MNs) and design shifted from conventional to novel, using various types of natural and synthetic materials and their combinations. Nowadays, MNs technology has gained popularity worldwide in biomedical research and drug delivery technology due to its multifaceted and broad-spectrum applications. This review broadly discusses MN's types, fabrication methods, composition, characterization, applications, recent advancements, and global intellectual scenarios.

Therapeutic potential of dopamine agonists in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes is a global health concern that has affected almost 415 million people globally. Bromocriptine is a dopamine D2 agonist, which is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. However, it is considered that a novel treatment therapy is required which can be used in the treatment of diabetes with or without other antidiabetic agents. Dopamine agonists are usually used in neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease (PD), restless leg syndrome, and hyperprolactinemia. However, dopamine agonists including bromocriptine and cabergoline are also effective in reducing the glycemic level in T2DM patients. Bromocriptine was formerly used for the treatment of PD, hyperprolactinemia, and restless leg syndrome, but now it is used for improving glycemic levels as well as reducing free fatty acids and triglycerides. In addition, cabergoline has been found to be effective in glycemic control, but this drug is yet to be approved by the FDA due to its limitations and lack of study. Findings of the clinical trials of bromocriptine have suggested that it reduces almost 0.4-0.8% glycated hemoglobin and cardiovascular risk by 40% in insulin-resistant patients. Moreover, the safe use of bromocriptine in obese T2DM patients makes it a more attractive option as it causes weight loss. Indeed, bromocriptine is a novel therapy for T2DM patients, as its mechanism of action is unique in T2DM patients with minimal adverse effects. This review summarizes the potential of dopamine agonists in the treatment of T2DM.

MXene (Ti3C2Tx)-Embedded Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications: A Review.

Polymeric nanocomposites have been outstanding functional materials and have garnered immense attention as sustainable materials to address multi-disciplinary problems. MXenes have emerged as a newer class of 2D materials that produce metallic conductivity upon interaction with hydrophilic species, and their delamination affords monolayer nanoplatelets of a thickness of about one nm and a side size in the micrometer range. Delaminated MXene has a high aspect ratio, making it an alluring nanofiller for multifunctional polymer nanocomposites. Herein, we have classified and discussed the structure, properties and application of major polysaccharide-based electroactive hydrogels (hyaluronic acid (HA), alginate sodium (SA), chitosan (CS) and cellulose) in biomedical applications, starting with the brief historical account of MXene's development followed by successive discussions on the synthesis methods, structures and properties of nanocomposites encompassing polysaccharides and MXenes, including their biomedical applications, cytotoxicity and biocompatibility aspects. Finally, the MXenes and their utility in the biomedical arena is deliberated with an eye on potential opportunities and challenges anticipated for them in the future, thus promoting their multifaceted applications.

Microneedle-Based Natural Polysaccharide for Drug Delivery Systems (DDS): Progress and Challenges.

In this focused progress review, the most widely accepted methods of transdermal drug delivery are hypodermic needles, transdermal patches and topical creams. However, microneedles (MNs) (or microneedle arrays) are low-invasive 3D biomedical constructs that bypass the skin barrier and produce systemic and localized pharmacological effects. In the past, biomaterials such as carbohydrates, due to their physicochemical properties, have been extensively used to manufacture microneedles (MNs). Due to their wide range of functional groups, carbohydrates enable the design and development of tunable properties and functionalities. In recent years, numerous microneedle products have emerged on the market, although much research needs to be undertaken to overcome the various challenges before the successful introduction of microneedles into the market. As a result, carbohydrate-based microarrays have a high potential to achieve a future step in sensing, drug delivery, and biologics restitution. In this review, a comprehensive overview of carbohydrates such as hyaluronic acid, chitin, chitosan, chondroitin sulfate, cellulose and starch is discussed systematically. It also discusses the various drug delivery strategies and mechanical properties of biomaterial-based MNs, the progress made so far in the clinical translation of carbohydrate-based MNs, and the promotional opportunities for their commercialization. In conclusion, the article summarizes the future perspectives of carbohydrate-based MNs, which are considered as the new class of topical drug delivery systems.

A Novel Superabsorbent Polymer from Crosslinked Carboxymethyl Tragacanth Gum with Glutaraldehyde: Synthesis, Characterization, and Swelling Properties.

Nowadays, current global environmental problems include measures to eliminate or reduce the negative impact of chemicals from petroleum sources and, therefore, the use of materials from natural resources is increasingly recommended. In this context, natural-based superabsorbent polymers derived from polypeptides and polysaccharides have undergone chemical and biochemical modifications to improve their ability to absorb and retain large amounts of liquids. In the present paper, a new process has been used to overcome the side effects of radical polymerization in the manufacture of conventional polyacrylate superabsorbents (SAPs). Tragacanth gum (TG) was selected to prepare a new superabsorbent material (CMTG-GA) based on carboxymethyl tragacanth (CMTG) crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (GA). The characterization of the polymer was carried out by FTIR, TGA, XRD, and SEM. The effect of the amount of crosslinking agent and the pH on the water absorption capacity was also examined. Subsequently, swelling studies were performed using free swelling capacity (FSC) and centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) techniques in distilled water, tap water, and saline solution. The results showed that the CRC of the new material is not less than 42.1 g/g, which was observed for a ratio of 20% by weight of GA to CMTG. Likewise, the maximum absorption results were 43.9 and 32.14 g/g, respectively, for FSC and CRC at pH 8.0. In addition, a comparison of the swelling capacities of the synthesized product with a commercial SAP extracted from a baby diaper, well known in the Moroccan market, showed that the performances were very similar.

Gastroenterology Meets Machine Learning: Status Quo and Quo Vadis.

Machine learning has undergone a transition phase from being a pure statistical tool to being one of the main drivers of modern medicine. In gastroenterology, this technology is motivating a growing number of studies that rely on these innovative methods to deal with critical issues related to this practice. Hence, in the light of the burgeoning research on the use of machine learning in gastroenterology, a systematic review of the literature is timely. In this work, we present the results gleaned through a systematic review of prominent gastroenterology literature using machine learning techniques. Based on the analysis of 88 journal articles, we delimit the scope of application, we discuss current limitations including bias, lack of transparency, accountability, and data availability, and we put forward future avenues.

Creation of the bone bank of the Rabat and Casablanca region in Morocco.

For a long time the use of bone grafting has demonstrated its interest in orthopedic surgery and traumatology. The autografts which are still very frequently used present various problems. On the one hand, it is necessary to find a correct mechanical quality and a sufficient quantity of bone. On the other hand, the graft removal lengthens the operative time and generally painful in postoperative. These disadvantages of autografts have led to the development of bone allografts. Indeed, the low immunogenic power of the bone, the good integration of the graft and the ease of bone preservation techniques make it possible to overcome the various problems posed by bone autografts. The increasing use of bone allografts has resulted in the need for a structure allowing the management of graft stocks. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate the mode of operation of a bone bank, whose conservation activity is limited to the femoral heads treated by cryopreservation and without secondary sterilization process. The bank collaborates with all orthopedic surgeons in the Rabat and Casablanca city at first and then with all orthopedic surgeons in Morocco. It provides allografts in quality and safety.

[Total hip replacement as a result of coxalgia: about 10 cases]. / Prothèse totale de hanche dans les séquelles de coxalgie: à propos de 10 cas.

Coxalgia causes osteocartilaginous destructions of the hip joint; these lesions are responsible for severe pain leading to functional discomfort and limitations in everyday life. Their surgical treatment is still not well established. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the interest of total hip arthroplasty associated with anti-tuberculous chemotherapy to improve patients' quality of life. We report a retrospective study of 10 cases of total hip replacement following coxalgia at the Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma of Rabat University Hospital from 2002 to 2011. The average age of our patients was 38 years. The discovery of coxalgia was made under different circumstances according to the patients. The surgical approach we used was exclusively posterolateral (Moore). All prostheses were cemented. Four patients required acetabulum reconstruction. Intraoperative biopsy was positive in a patient, negative in the remaining nine. All patients underwent anti-tuberculous treatment. No recurrence was noted after a minimum follow-up of 3 years. Results according to Merle d'Aubigné score were considered good. In case of advanced bone destruction with badly tolerated functional impact in mature subject, total hip arthroplasty always associated with effective anti-tuberculous chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for sequelae of coxalgia.

[Cubitus varus: external subtraction osteotomy, should it still be recommended? Retrospective study of 25 cases]. / Cubitus varus: l'ostéotomie de soustraction externe a-t-elle toujours sa place? Etude rétrospective à propos de 25 cas.

Cubitus varus or malunion is most often secondary to displaced supracondylar fractures of the lower end of the humerus in children. Various surgical techniques have been proposed with different success rates but also with different reported complication rates. Our retrospective study of 25 cases diagnosed at the University Hospital of Rabat evaluated the results of the technique of external subtraction which was used in our training to handle this deformation.