Insight into novel anti-mucormycosis therapies: investigation of new anti-mucormycosis laser-induced photodynamic therapy based on a sulphone bis-compound loaded silica nanoemulsion.

For drug delivery applications, silica nanoemulsion encapsulated with organic compounds are becoming increasingly more desirable. Therefore, the emphasis of this research was on the synthesis of a new potent antifungal drug-like candidate (1,1'-((sulfonylbis(4,1-phenylene)bis(5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-1,4-diyl))bis(3-(dimethylamino)prop-2-en-1-one), SBDMP), the chemical structure of which was confirmed on the basis of its spectral and microanalytical data. Then, silica nanoemulsion loaded with SBDMP was prepared using Pluronic F-68 as a potent surfactant. The particle shape, hydrodynamic size, and zeta potential of the produced silica nanoemulsion (with and without drug loading) were assessed. The antitumoral activity of the synthesized molecules showed the superiority of SBDMP and silica nanoemulsion with and without SBDMP loading against Rhizopus microsporous and Syncephalastrum racemosum. Subsequently, the laser-induced photodynamic inactivation (LIPDI) of Mucorales strains was determined using the tested samples. The optical properties of the samples were investigated using UV-vis optical absorption and the photoluminescence. The photosensitivity of the selected samples appeared to enhance the eradication of the tested pathogenic strains when exposed to a red (640 nm) laser light. The optical property results verified that the SBDMP-loaded silica nanoemulsion has a high depth of penetration into biological tissues due to a two-absorption photon (TAP) mechanism. Interestingly, the photosensitizing of the nanoemulsion loaded with a newly synthesized drug-like candidate, SBDMP, opens up a new route to apply new organic compounds as photosensitizers under laser-induced photodynamic therapy (LIPDT).

One-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) with fixed bypass of the proximal two meters versus tailored bypass of the proximal one-third of small bowel: short-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: One-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is an effective bariatric procedure that confers satisfactory weight loss and improvement in comorbidities. The present study aimed to compare OAGB with fixed bypass of the proximal 200 cm of small bowel and tailored bypass of the proximal 1/3 of bowel. METHODS: Patients with class II/III obesity underwent OAGB with either fixed bypass of the proximal two meters or tailored bypass of the proximal 1/3 of bowel. The main outcomes of the study were weight loss, improvement in comorbidities, complications, and changes in nutritional parameters after each technique. RESULTS: The present study included 80 patients (62 female) of a mean age of 41 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 50.9 kg/m2. The tailored bypass group was followed by a significantly lower BMI and significantly higher excess weight loss and total weight loss at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of improvement in comorbidities. The fixed bypass group was associated with a significantly higher complication rate than the tailored bypass group (22.5 vs. 5%, P = 0.04). Both groups were associated with similar changes in the nutritional parameters at 12 months postoperatively, except for the higher serum albumin levels after the tailored bypass than the fixed bypass. CONCLUSIONS: OAGB with tailored bypass of the proximal one-third of bowel was associated with greater weight loss and comparable improvement in comorbidities as compared to fixed bypass of the proximal two meters of intestine.

Acceptability of "High sn-2" Infant Formula in Non-Breast Fed Healthy Term Infants Regarding Gastrointestinal Tolerability by Both Parents and Pediatrician: An Open-Label Pilot Study in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries.

Recent studies have highlighted the positive impact of high sn-2 formulas on gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance. We assessed the GI tolerance, acceptability, and safety of high sn-2 infant formula among non-breastfed healthy term infants in the Gulf countries. A multicenter observational study was conducted on 227 healthy-term infants who were prescribed high sn-2 palmitate infant formula and received a minimum of two formula feedings per day for the past two weeks prior to the study's initiation. The number of stools per day decreased significantly from a median of four (interquartile range [IQR] = 4) at baseline to 3.0 (2) stools per day at the end of follow-up (p = 0.015). The percentage of stool amount changed significantly, where 61.2% and 33.7% of the infants had an amount of 25-50% of the diaper and >50% of the diaper, respectively (p < 0.001) at the end of the follow-up. Similarly, the percentage of hard stool decreased significantly from 17.4% at baseline to 0.4% of the population at week 12 (p < 0.00). The prevalence of colic and abdominal distention declined from 21.4% and 39.9% at baseline to 2.9% and 9.4% at week 12, respectively (p < 0.05). The same decline was observed in abdominal distension and regurgitation score (p < 0.05).

Development of Antimicrobial Laser-Induced Photodynamic Therapy Based on Ethylcellulose/Chitosan Nanocomposite with 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(m-Hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin.

The development of new antimicrobial strategies that act more efficiently than traditional antibiotics is becoming a necessity to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens. Here we report the efficacy of laser-light-irradiated 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(m-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (mTHPP) loaded onto an ethylcellulose (EC)/chitosan (Chs) nanocomposite in eradicating multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Surface loading of the ethylcelllose/chitosan composite with mTHPP was carried out and the resulting nanocomposite was fully characterized. The results indicate that the prepared nanocomposite incorporates mTHPP inside, and that the composite acquired an overall positive charge. The incorporation of mTHPP into the nanocomposite enhanced the photo- and thermal stability. Different laser wavelengths (458; 476; 488; 515; 635 nm), powers (5-70 mW), and exposure times (15-45 min) were investigated in the antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) experiments, with the best inhibition observed using 635 nm with the mTHPP EC/Chs nanocomposite for C. albicans (59 ± 0.21%), P. aeruginosa (71.7 ± 1.72%), and S. aureus (74.2 ± 1.26%) with illumination of only 15 min. Utilization of higher doses (70 mW) for longer periods achieved more eradication of microbial growth.

Feasibility of Using Boltzmann Plots to Evaluate the Stark Broadening Parameters of Cu(I) Lines.

A linear Boltzmann plot was constructed using Cu(I) lines of well-known atomic parameters. Aligning other spectral lines to the plot was adopted as a viable way to estimate the most probable values of Stark broadening parameters of Cu(I) lines at 330.79, 359.91, and 360.2 nm. Plasma was generated by focusing neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser radiation at wavelength 532 nm on a pure copper target in open air. Plasma emission was recorded at delay times of 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10 µs. The in situ optically thin Hα line was used to determine the plasma reference electron density over the entire experiment. Following this method, the missing values of the Stark broadening parameters of the three Cu(I) lines turn out to be about 0.15 ± 0.05 Å (for 330.79 nm transition) and 0.17 ± 0.05 Å (for 359.91 360.20 nm transition) at reference electron density of (1 ± 0.09) × 1017 cm-3 and temperature of 10 800 ± 630 K. The apparent variation in plasma parameters at different delay times was found to scale with electron density and temperature as ∼ne.Te0.166.

The role of the angle of progression in the prediction of the outcome of occiput posterior position in the second stage of labor.

BACKGROUND: Occiput posterior position is the most frequent cephalic malposition, and its persistence at delivery is associated with a higher risk of maternal and perinatal morbidity. Diagnosis and management of occiput posterior position remain a clinical challenge. This is partly caused by our inability to predict fetuses who will spontaneously rotate into occiput anterior from those who will have persistent occiput posterior position. The angle of progression, measured with transperineal ultrasound, represents a reliable tool for the evaluation of fetal head station during labor. The relationship between the persistence of occiput posterior position and fetal head station in the second stage of labor has not been previously assessed. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the role of fetal head station, as measured by the angle of progression, in the prediction of persistent occiput posterior position and the mode of delivery in the second stage of labor. STUDY DESIGN: We recruited a nonconsecutive series of women with posterior occiput position diagnosed by transabdominal ultrasound in the second stage of labor. For each woman, a transperineal ultrasound was performed to measure the angle of progression at rest. We compared the angle of progression between women who delivered fetuses in occiput anterior position and those with persistent occiput posterior position at delivery. Receiver operating characteristics curves were performed to evaluate the accuracy of the angle of progression in the prediction of persistent occiput posterior position. Finally, we performed a multivariate logistic regression to determine independent predictors of persistent occiput posterior position. RESULTS: Overall, 63 women were included in the analysis. Among these, 39 women (62%) delivered in occiput anterior position, whereas 24 (38%) delivered in occiput posterior position (persistent occiput posterior position). The angle of progression was significantly narrower in the persistent occiput posterior position group than in women who delivered fetuses in occiput anterior position (118.3°±12.2° vs 127.5°±10.5°; P=.003). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.731 (95% confidence interval, 0.594-0.869) with an estimated best cutoff range of 121.5° (sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 67%). On logistic regression analysis, the angle of progression was found to be independently associated with persistence of occiput posterior position (odds ratio, 0.942; 95% confidence interval, 0.889-0.998; P=.04). Finally, women who underwent cesarean delivery had significantly narrower angle of progression than women who had a vaginal delivery (113.5°±8.1 vs 128.0°±10.7; P<.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for the prediction of cesarean delivery was 0.866 (95% confidence interval, 0.761-0.972). At multivariable logistic regression analysis including the angle of progression, parity, and gestational age at delivery, the angle of progression was found to be the only independent predictor associated with cesarean delivery (odds ratio, 0.849; 95% confidence interval, 0.775-0.0930; P<.001). CONCLUSION: In fetuses with occiput posterior at the beginning of the second stage of labor, narrower values of the angle of progression are associated with higher rates of persistent occiput posterior position at delivery and a higher risk of cesarean delivery.

Alalfy modified cervical inversion technique as a tamponade in controlling PPH in placenta previa, a multicentric double blind randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Postpartum hemorrhage that occurs frequently with placenta previa is one of the causes of maternal mortality in 14% in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To assess efficacy of cervical inversion as a tamponade in controlling bed of placenta in cases of placenta previa. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted among a total of 240 pregnant women with placenta previa (120 subjected to Alalfy modified cervical inversion technique plus hemostatic sutures and 120 was not subjected cervical inversion and only was subjected to hemostatic sutures in Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Suez Canal University hospital, Helwan University and Algezeerah hospital for a planned cesarean section). RESULTS: The mean intraoperative blood loss, the intraoperative time, and the postoperative hemoglobin show a statistically significant difference between cases with placenta previa who were exposed to cervical inversion in comparison to cases that had no cervical inversion with a p-value <.001. CONCLUSION: Modified cervical inversion (Alalfy technique) as a tamponade when added to hemostatic sutures to the placental bed is an easy, rapid, and efficient procedure that can decrease the amount of blood loss, time needed to stop bleeding per bed, total operative time, also it can decrease the need for blood transfusion.

Evaluation of the Cesarean Scar Niche In Women With Secondary Infertility Undergoing ICSI Using 2D Sonohysterography Versus 3D Sonohysterography and Setting a Standard Criteria; Alalfy Simple Rules for Scar Assessment by Ultrasound To Prevent Health Problems for Women.

BACKGROUND: Many expressions were used to define the defect that is seen by ultrasound after cesarean section (CS) namely scar defect, niche, isthmocele, uterine pouch or diverticula. OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of 2 dimensional sonohysterography (2D SHG) to 3 dimensional sonohysterography (3D SHG) in evaluating cesarean section uterine scar depth (D), base width (BW), width (W) and residual myometrial thickness (RMT) in women with secondary infertility and establishment of a standard criteria; Alalfy simple rules for scar assessment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was an observational cross-sectional comparative study that was conducted on women who presented with secondary infertility and were candidates for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and giving a history of a previous cesarean section. Assessment of uterine scar in each woman was performed using 2D transvaginal ultrasound with sonohysterography (SHG) followed by 3D transvaginal with SHG with evaluation of niche depth, width, RMT, niche BW and RMT/depth ratio. The study was conducted at Algezeera hospital, Egypt. RESULTS: The present study revealed that 3D ultrasound with SHG is superior in evaluation of the RMT and niche width prior to ICSI providing better characterization of the scar niche. CONCLUSION: Scar niche should be assessed by a combined integrated 2D SHG and 3D SHG scan with the specific geometrical and anatomical considerations, Alalfy simple rules for scar niche assessment that involvemeasurement of niche depth, (Base width) BW, width, RMT and RMT/depth ratio in sagittal plane, RMT in coronal plane / niche width in coronal plane ratio (ratio less than 1 denotes scar weakness with more liability for dehiscence). TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov Id NCT04076904.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy with T-Shaped Omentoplasty: Impact on the Early Postoperative Outcomes.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is an effective bariatric procedure, yet can be followed by complications such as staple line leak and bleeding, vomiting, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Various attempts have been described in the literature to improve the early outcome of LSG through various measures. This study aimed to assess the impact of adding T-shaped omentoplasty to LSG on the short-term outcome of the procedure. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study on patients with morbid obesity who underwent LSG in the period of November 2015 to November 2018. The outcome of patients with morbid obesity who underwent LSG combined with T-shaped omentoplasty (group I) was compared with that of a similar number of patients who underwent classical LSG without staple line fixation (group II). The main outcome measures were the rates of staple line bleeding and leak, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), GERD, gastric axial rotation, other complications, and weight loss. RESULTS: The study included 106 patients of a mean BMI of 49.8 kg/m2. Group II had significantly higher PONV) scale at 1 week and 1 month than group I. Group I had significantly lower rates of staple line bleeding (0 vs 9.6%, p = 0.02) and GERD (3.7% vs 17.3%, p = 0.02) than group II. Both groups had similar rates of staple line leak and comparable operation time. CONCLUSION: Staple line fixation using the T-shaped omentoplasty technique was associated with lower incidence of significant PONV, staple line bleeding, and GERD as compared with classical LSG.

Plicated Sleeve Gastrectomy with Combined Mesocolon and Greater Omentum Fixation After T-Shaped Omentoplasty: How to Do it?

INTRODUCTION: This technique aims to evaluate fixation of the sleeved distal part of the stomach to the root of the transverse mesocolon and greater omentum after its shortening in a T-shaped design. METHODS: Sleeve gastrectomy is done in a standard five-port technique. Then, we fix the distal end of the staple line using an inverting interrupted 2/0 Ticron suture. We plicate the anterior and posterior walls to invert the staple line and then fix it to the mesocolic fat below the pancreas and to the edge of the disconnected distal omentum close to the antrum. Proceeding caudally, we shorten the greater omentum in the form of a T-shaped suture that forms an omental window between the two edges of the omentum. Plication and fixation are continued upwards until the lower border of the pancreas. Then, we plicate the sleeved stomach using a 2/0 Ticron suture starting cranially near the angle of His. RESULTS: All patients are discharged from the hospital the next day and followed-up at the clinic after the end of first and second weeks, then after 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Plicated sleeve gastrectomy combined with mesocolon and greater omentum fixation after T-Shaped omentoplasty is safe and feasible. Long-term follow-up study is required to validate our results.

Effect of subcutaneous tissue closure technique in cesarean section on postoperative wound complications in obese Egyptian women.

Subcutaneous tissue closure technique is a wide area of interest for obstetricians who perform cesarean section especially on obese women while many observers studied in an extensive manner postoperative pain and wound cosmetic results. AIM OF THE WORK: The main goal of our work was to display the differences in wound outcome results as regard postoperative wound complications comparing the two widely implemented techniques in subcutaneous tissue closure (interrupted versus continuous methods). RESULTS: A comparative analysis between continuous and interrupted techniques regarding wound complications (gapping, seroma, erythema, and infection) showing statistical significant differences in all four wound complications presented with p values = .019, .011, .015, and .001, in consecutive order with odds ratio in wound gapping = 5.239, wound seroma OR = 9.429, wound erythema OR = 3.709, and wound infection OR = 6.136. CONCLUSIONS: Subcutaneous wound closure using interrupted technique of suturing in obese patients is superior to continuous technique as regard wound complications. Clinical trials.gov ID Identifier (NCT03354078).

Role of ursodeoxycholic acid in the prevention of gallstone formation after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: Postoperative cholelithiasis (CL) is a latent complication of bariatric surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in the prevention of CL after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of the prospectively collected data of patients with morbid obesity who underwent LSG. Patients were subdivided into two groups: Group I, which did not receive prophylactic treatment with UCDA after LSG; and Group II, which received UCDA therapy for 6 months after LSG. Patients' characteristics, operation duration, weight loss data, and incidence of CL at 6 and 12 months postoperatively were collected. RESULTS: A total of 406 patients (124 males, 282 females) with a mean age of 32.1 ± 9.4 years were included. The mean baseline body mass index (BMI) was 50.1 ± 8.3 kg/m2. Group I comprised 159 patients, and Group II comprised 247 patients. The two groups showed comparable demographics, % excess weight loss (EWL), and decrease in BMI at 6 and 12 months after LSG. Eight patients (5%) developed CL in Group I, whereas no patients in Group II did (P = 0.0005). Preoperative dyslipidemia and rapid loss of excess weight within the first 3 months after LSG were the risk factors that significantly predicted CL postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The use of UCDA effectively reduced the incidence of CL after LSG in patients with morbid obesity. Dyslipidemia and rapid EWL in the first 3 months after LSG significantly predisposed patients to postoperative CL.

Screening for bipolar disorder among patients undergoing a major depressive episode: report from the BRIDGE study in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: To estimate the frequency of bipolar disorder (BPD) among patients with a major depressive episode (MDE) and elucidate clinically-relevant factors predictive of bipolarity. METHODS: We evaluated 306 patients undergoing a MDE at facilities throughout Egypt. Patients were given the HCL-32 R2 questionnaire to assess the presence of manic/hypomanic symptoms; those scoring >14 were considered bipolar. We also investigated how various clinical criteria for bipolarity changed the incidence of bipolar diagnosis. Finally, we examined if demographics, psychiatric history, clinical characteristics, and the incidence of co-morbid conditions differed significantly between bipolar and unipolar patients. RESULTS: The positive screen rate for BPD based on HCL-32 R2 scores was 62.2% (188/302). However, only 26% (80/306) of patients had been diagnosed previously as bipolar. In contrast, when DSM-IV criteria were used, only 13.7% (42/306) of patients qualified as bipolar. A number of factors were highly predictive of bipolarity including: seasonality, number of past mood episodes, history of psychiatric hospitalization, mixed state, and mood reactivity. Of the comorbidities examined, only borderline personality disorder occurred at a higher rate in bipolar than in unipolar patients. LIMITATIONS: Participating centers were not randomly selected and there could be a bias if only psychiatrists having specific interest in BPD were included. CONCLUSIONS: The positive HCL-32-R2-based bipolar screen rate of 62% suggests that a substantial proportion of patients with a MDE may have BPD. Further, a number of factors in the patient's psychiatric history as well as clinical aspects of the episode itself may signal an increased likelihood of bipolarity.