Microplastics (MPs) pose a significant risk to human health, particularly through seafood consumption. Once ingested, MPs can spread from the digestive system to other organs via phagocytosis and endocytosis, leading to toxicological effects. Accumulation of MPs in tissues causes swelling, blockages, oxidative stress, and Cytotoxicity. Studies show MPs alter metabolism, disrupt immune function, and contribute to autoimmune diseases. Chronic exposure has been linked to neurotoxicity, vascular inflammation, and increased cancer risk due to DNA damage. MPs can cross biological barriers, including the placenta, affecting fetal development. Additionally, they serve as vectors for pollutants and bacteria, further complicating health risks. MPs in the bloodstream can trigger inflammatory responses, endothelial adhesion, and red blood cell coagulation, leading to cardiovascular complications. In vitro studies indicate MPs impair renal function and cause long-term inflammation in distal tissues. Moreover, oxidative stress caused by MPs plays a critical role in carcinogenicity. Despite growing evidence of adverse health effects, further research is necessary to understand the full impact of MPs’ exposure on human health and develop effective mitigation strategies.
Tisha J Ornstein*, Erica S Cuevas, Maire L O’Hagan and Samantha R Pejic
Published on: 3rd July, 2025
Background: This study explored whether emotional distress, coping, and/or resilience contributed to return to driving (RTD) following experienced mild traumatic brain injury, and whether these variables of interest differed among those who had and had not RTD. Methods: The present study evaluated de-identified archival data of 65 patients with mTBI following an MVA. Patients were either the driver, passenger, /or pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle, and aged 22 to 69 years. The sample consisted of 36 men and 29 women with an average education. The mean months elapsed between the accident and the assessment was 16.82 months. Pearson correlations were used to test for associations between all explanatory and outcome variables. Separate linear and hierarchical regressions were carried out to evaluate whether variables of interest were significant predictors of RTD. Results: Findings revealed that the presence of depressive symptoms was associated with coping, irrespective of style, resilience, driving-related anxiety, and RTD. Moreover, RTD was related to driving-related anxiety, too, and in fact, anxiety (considering the presence of depressive symptoms) appeared to be an even greater limiting factor when considering RTD in this population. Age, gender, and education did not influence RTD. Conclusion: The present study revealed that depressive symptoms and driving-related anxiety in particular contribute to whether patients with mTBI RTD, irrespective of time since injury, age, and gender. Coping styles and resilience did not predict RTD. Further work is warranted to address the paucity of research investigating RTD parameters that contribute to and/or hinder RTD among mTBI sufferers.
Tomas Reyes-del Castillo*, Minerva I Hernandez-Rejon, Jose L Ruiz-Pier, Mario Peñaloza-Guadarrama, Carlos E Merinos-Avila, Cristina Juarez-Cabrera, Pedro A del Valle-Maldonado, Sofia Ley-Tapia and Valentín Gonzalez-Flores
Published on: 22nd July, 2025
Background: Intravascular Leiomyomatosis (IVL) is an often misdiagnosed rare benign mesenchymal tumor characterized by the presence of vascular extension and invasion of smooth muscle cells in a serpiginous-like pattern, first originating in uterine smooth muscle cells. Its growth pattern can involve both ovarian veins, the inferior vena cava, and even reach the right atrium/ventricle in 45% of the cases. The incidence has been reported to be 0.25 to 0.40% of patients with uterine leiomyoma, with about 300 cases reported in the literature. Also, since the tumor is hormone-dependent, most affected individuals are premenopausal women in middle age. Optimal treatment for IVL is complete surgical removal with hysterectomy and oophorectomy, independent of stage. The most frequent perioperative complications are hemorrhage due to tumoral hypervascularization, embolism, and the usual laparotomy complications. We present the case of a 51-year-old female with IVL stage 3 with complete single-stage surgical resolution.
Anthropogenic activity has escalated the planet’s temperature and resulted in dire consequences on our environment, and our health, whether physical or mental. The imbalance created in the planet’s environmental conditions has consequently caused a rupture in mental health, and ecoanxiety has become one of the adverse indirect repercussions. Not quite recently, a sense of urgency has been spreading in the literature of climate change, evoking a call for action, and requesting commitment from us all: individuals, communities, and countries. This paper attempts to establish a link between the climate crisis and ecoanxiety in the aim to restore our cognition of our roles to save the planet, salvage our health and preserve, and conserve, environmental resources for future generations.
Fatemeh Alhani, Hasan Navipor and Fatemeh Sadat Seyed Nematollah Roshan*
Published on: 27th August, 2025
Background and aims: Iron deficiency is one of the most important health issues in adolescents, especially girls. Today, empowerment is considered an effective program to change behavior in chronic disease control. This study was conducted to determine the effect of the family-centered empowerment model on the empowerment indicators of student girls with iron deficiency anemia and their mothers.Methods: This is a two-group semi-experimental study conducted on 60 student girls along with their mothers, who were selected by a two-stage cluster random sampling method. Data was collected using a demographic information questionnaire and an adolescent and mother empowerment questionnaire. The intervention based on the family-centered empowerment model was implemented for the test group, and after 1.5 months, data from both groups were collected and analyzed with chi-square, independent t, and paired t-tests.Results: The results of the independent t-test showed that there was a significant difference between the student girls in the test and control groups after the intervention in terms of empowerment indicators (p < 0.05). The results of the independent t-test showed that there was a significant difference between the mothers in the test and control groups after the intervention in terms of ability indicators (p < 0.05), while before the intervention, this difference was not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the implementation of the family-centered empowerment model not only increased the empowerment indicators of student girls with iron deficiency anemia but also had an effect on the empowerment of their mothers.
Isabella Allana Ferreira*, Júlia dos Santos Fonseca, Ítalo Stoupa Vieira, Lorendane Millena de Carvalho and Jackson Victor de Araújo
Published on: 9th September, 2025
The resistance to anthelmintics in poultry farming and the challenges with the restricted use of drugs in organic farms make the use of biological controllers an innovative bridge to verminosis control. This paper aims to evaluate the efficacy of the larvicidal fungus Duddingtonia flagrans and the ovicidal fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia in Hy-line Brown (Gallus Gallus Domesticus) layer farms. Both fungi were combined in the core of the feed administered to the birds of the treated groups. 28,000 birds were used and divided into three treated groups (TG) in which the feed containing the fungus was administered. The poultry house itself manufactures the birds’ feed; the formula was included in the nucleus at a dose of 100 grams per ton of feed for 7 months. The concentration was 105 chlamydospores of P. chlamydosporia and D. flagrans per gram of the formulation. The control group (CG) received regular food from the farm. The birds were separated into four sheds with 7,000 birds in each. The egg per gram of feces (EPG) testing was performed using fresh fecal samples collected from the sheds over six months. Weather data was collected during the experiment. There was a reduction in the EPG count into three treated groups. The most prevalent helminth was the genus Ascaris. The formulation tested shows little efficacy in this dosage. Key points:• The use of the fungus P. chlamydosporia and D. flagrans in organic farms;• Use of biocontrol agents without chemicals in poultry;
Andrew K Hillman*, Phil Ramis, Patrick Nielsen, Sophia N Swanston, Dana Bonaminio and Eric M Rohren
Published on: 30th October, 2025
Purpose: To determine trends in breast imaging services utilization among privately and government-insured patients at a national radiology practice.Method: Monthly breast imaging volume data from January 2019 to September 2022 were analyzed across five insurance types: three commercial carriers (Com1-Com3), Medicaid, and Medicare. Primary analysis involved calculating quarterly volumes and standard errors of the mean, followed by a joinpoint regression to identify trend inflection points and quarterly percentage changes (QPC). In the secondary analysis, the entire period trend was obtained and measured as the average quarterly percentage change (AQPC).Results: Between 2019 Q1 and 2022 Q3, a total of 4,640,619 breast imaging services were accessed, including 2,034,833 2D screening mammograms, 1,640,689 screening digital breast tomosynthesis, 497,592 diagnostic mammograms, 452,549 breast ultrasounds, and 14,956 breast MRIs. AQPC values for imaging modalities varied across insurance types. Medicare and Medicaid patients showed the highest rates of utilization increases, particularly for modalities other than screening breast tomosynthesis, where private insurers dominated. Variations were observed between different commercial payors.Conclusion: Breast imaging utilization increased among patients insured by Medicare and Medicaid from 2019 to 2022, outpacing that of those with private insurance. These findings contrast previous research suggesting better access and utilization among privately insured individuals, highlighting increased access for government-insured patients in this study.
Medard Amona*, Yolande Voumbo Matoumona Mavoungou, Hama Nemet Ondzotto, Benjamin Kokolo, Armel Itoua, Gilius Axel Aloumba and Pascal Ibata
Published on: 25th November, 2025
Nosocomial infections are infections acquired during a stay in a healthcare facility, representing a major public health challenge worldwide, and particularly in Africa, due to their frequency, potential severity, and associated costs. In Congo, their epidemiological profile is not yet well understood. It’s in this context that we undertook to conduct a retrospective descriptive study on nosocomial infections between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2016, in the internal medicine department of the Army Central Hospital of Brazzaville, in order to analyze the bacteriological profile of nosocomial infections.The study involved 189 patients. The results revealed that hospital-acquired infections were frequent, with a female predominance (71.43%), an average age of 32 years, and risk factors including self-medication with antibiotics (51%) and urinary catheterization (39%). Urinary tract infections were the most common (57%), with Escherichia coli as the main pathogen (17%), and mortality from these infections reached 53%.The study highlighted a high mortality rate linked to hospital-acquired infections, primarily associated with HIV status and self-medication. Management, prevention, and infection control measures, including improved antibiotic stewardship, are necessary to reduce mortality.
Denise HM Bodden*, Yvonne Stikkelbroek, Daan Creemers, Sanne PA Rasing, Elien De Caluwe and Caroline Braet
Published on: 24th December, 2025
Objective: This study investigated the utility of the second version of the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI-2) as a screening tool to identify children and adolescents aged 8-21 years suffering from depressive symptoms. Method: Data were collected by combining questionnaire data from multiple clinical and control subsamples in which the CDI-2 child and parent version were administered to clinically depressed children (n = 111), children with other psychiatric disorders (n = 74) and control children (n = 2246) as well as their parents (respectively n = 104, n = 112, n = 2130). Results: Results showed that the CDI-2 has good psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency, factor structure, parent-child agreement, convergent and divergent validity. However, the factor structure of the parent version was insufficient. The CDI-2 total score of the child version and parent version can differentiate between clinically depressed children, children with other psychiatric disorders, and control children. Further, reliable cut-off scores were established. There were also significant gender and age effects.Conclusion: The total score of the CDI-2 child and parent version can be used as a screening tool to detect clinically significant depressive symptoms in children and adolescents.
Ayoub Mamad*, Mohammed Amine Bibat, Mohammed Amine Elafari, Youssef Maachi, Amine Slaoui, Tarik Karmouni, Abdelatif Koutani and Khalid Elkhader
Published on: 21st January, 2026
Penile fracture is a rare urological emergency typically characterized by an audible “cracking” sound, immediate detumescence, and rapid penile swelling following trauma to an erect penis. We present clinical and intra-operative images of a 37-year-old man with a proximal tunica albuginea tear confirmed at urgent exploration and repaired with absorbable sutures. Early surgical exploration with hematoma evacuation and primary repair remains the preferred approach to reduce long-term complications such as penile curvature and erectile dysfunction.
Qing Cao, Chen Kang, Kang Gu, Yin Peng, Yang Lv, Xu-Zhong Ding and Peng Li*
Published on: 22nd January, 2026
In this manuscript, we present an Hiatal hernia(HH) with situs inversus totalis(SIT) performed by transumbilical single-incision laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair and Nissen fundoplication, which is rarely reported previously. A 62-year-old woman was admitted with a diagnosis of hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as proven by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (GERD-Q) scoring, endoscopic, and radiologic findings. The patient had a history of spinal correction surgery for scoliosis five years ago, during which her SIT was identified. We performed a classic LHHR plus Nissen fundoplication for the patient, especially through a transumbilical single incision. An atraumatic method of liver retraction with a Veress needle sheathed by a latex tube and a convenient autosuturing device was used to overcome the difficulties. The patient experienced an uneventful recovery and presented complete resolution of GERD at the one-month follow-up.
Rizwan Uppal, Umar Saeed*, Sara Rizwan Uppal, Humza Amin and Muhammad Rehan Uppal
Published on: 26th January, 2026
Background: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) is a pivotal coenzyme and signaling substrate that integrates redox balance with mitochondrial energy production, DNA repair, epigenetic control, and cellular stress resilience. Declines in NAD⁺ availability—frequently observed with ageing, chronic inflammation, and metabolic stress—have intensified interest in NAD⁺ restoration as a potential strategy to influence disease biology across multiple organ systems.Objective: This narrative review summarizes contemporary mechanistic and translational evidence on NAD⁺ biosynthesis and turnover, highlighting the de novo kynurenine pathway and vitamin B3–dependent salvage routes (nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, nicotinamide riboside, and nicotinamide mononucleotide). We also examine how major NAD⁺ consumers and sensors, sirtuins, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs), and CD38 link NAD⁺ status to inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue dysfunction in diverse clinical contexts.Methods: Peer-reviewed literature on NAD⁺ metabolism, NAD⁺-dependent signaling, and preclinical/clinical studies of NAD⁺ precursors was evaluated and organized into: (i) core biochemical functions in cellular energetics, (ii) NAD⁺ consumption in genome maintenance and immune signaling, and (iii) organ-focused evidence relevant to skin disorders, infertility and reproductive health, osteoarthritis, hearing loss, vision decline, gut barrier dysfunction, cardiovascular and renal metabolism, hepatic steatosis, neurological diseases, and skeletal muscle health.Results: NAD⁺ supports glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, while acting as an essential substrate for PARP-driven DNA repair and sirtuin-mediated deacylation programs that shape mitochondrial fitness, inflammatory tone, and metabolic flexibility. Across experimental models, impaired NAD⁺ homeostasis repeatedly associates with mitochondrial dysfunction, heightened oxidative injury, and dysregulated immune–barrier responses, features shared by intestinal inflammation, neurodegeneration and ischemic injury, cardiometabolic disease, kidney injury, and fatty liver disease. Supplementation with NAD⁺ precursors (notably NR and NMN) reliably elevates NAD⁺ in preclinical systems and increases circulating NAD⁺ metabolites in humans, with early signals of pathway engagement; however, clinical outcomes remain heterogeneous across populations, dosing regimens, and endpoints. Evidence for intravenous NAD⁺ “drip” therapy is comparatively limited and insufficiently standardized, with constraints related to tolerability, dose consistency, and cost, underscoring the need for controlled trials.Conclusion: NAD⁺ occupies a central position at the interface of energy metabolism, genome integrity, and immunometabolic signaling, providing a coherent framework for understanding how cellular stress can propagate multisystem dysfunction. Although NAD⁺-boosting strategies are biologically plausible and mechanistically supported, definitive clinical benefit across skin, fertility, osteoarthritis, sensory decline, gut disorders, cardiovascular and hepatic disease, neurological conditions, and muscle health will require well-designed human studies with standardized biomarkers, safety surveillance, and clinically meaningful endpoints.
The dynamics of the glucose-insulin regulatory system are highly nonlinear and must be understood to be controlled effectively. Bifurcation analysis and multiobjective nonlinear model predictive control (MNLMPC) are performed on a glucose-insulin dynamic model. MATCONT was used for the bifurcation analysis, and for the MNLMPC calculations, the optimization language PYOMO is used in conjunction with the solvers IPOPT and BARON. The bifurcation analysis revealed a Hopf bifurcation point and a limit point. A Hopf bifurcation point is a tipping point where a system that was behaving steadily suddenly starts to oscillate or cycle on its own, like a machine that begins to vibrate instead of staying still. A limit point is a tipping point at which pushing a system a little further suddenly causes it to jump to a completely different state, rather than changing smoothly. MNLMC converged on the Utopia solution. The Hopf bifurcation point, which leads to an unwanted limit cycle, is eliminated by an activation factor. A limit cycle is a repeating pattern of behavior that a system naturally settles into over time, like a steady heartbeat or a clock that keeps ticking. The limit point (which causes multiple steady-state solutions from a singular point enables the Multiobjective nonlinear model predictive control calculations to converge to the Utopia point (the best possible solution) in the model. A Utopia solution in multi-objective nonlinear model predictive control is an ideal operating point at which all goals are simultaneously perfectly optimized.
Fatimah M Kaabi, Layth Mula-Hussain*, Shakir Al-Shakir, Sultan Alsaiari, Leonidas Chelis, Renda AlHabib, Sara Owaidah, Renad Subaie, Marwah M Abdulkader and Ibrahim Alotain
Published on: 30th January, 2026
Background: WHO grade II Low-grade gliomas (LGGs) need multi-disciplinary treatment from different specialties, directed by new molecular classifications and prognostic markers. Yet regional practice patterns and obstacles are not reported, especially in MENA countries.Method: A cross-sectional survey of physicians from MENA countries (including neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists) was conducted. An electronic anonymous survey, including clinical scenarios and evidence-based treatment choices, was distributed at professional conferences. The feedback included responses regarding surgical interventions, adjuvant treatment preferences, and barriers to adoption of IDH-mutant inhibitors.Results: 137 physicians (37.23% neurosurgery, 32.85% radiation oncology, 29.93% medical oncology). Most had 6–15 years of experience (56.21%) and worked in government (51.82%) or academic hospitals (25.55%). Maximal safe resection (MSR), if applicable, was preferred over biopsy (89.05% vs. 10.95%). For residual Astrocytoma, concurrent radiotherapy (RT) with temozolomide (TMZ) (42.34%) was the preferred adjuvant, while 44.53% prefer observation after gross total resection (GTR). For residual Oligodendroglioma, RT followed by PCV (45.99%) was preferred, with 59.85% offered observation post-GTR. Most (96.35%) agreed that resection extent impacts outcomes, while 72.99% objected to extending TMZ beyond six cycles. High-risk stratification varied: 46.72% used age ≥40 years, and 88.32% prioritized residual tumor volume. Although 64.96% supported IDH-mutant inhibitors, 58.39% cited limited availability as a barrier, followed by cost (40.88%) and insufficient long-term data (31.39%). Specialty-specific differences emerged: radiation oncologists tend more to provide adjuvant radiotherapy in the context of persistent seizure post-operatively (χ² = 20.50, p < 0.05), and medical/radiation oncologists more often used age ≥40 for high-risk stratification (χ² = 10.10, p = 0.038).Conclusion: There is a wide variation in the WHO grade II LGGs management among physicians in MENA Countries. These data highlight the importance of locally derived guidelines, the increased availability of molecularly directed therapies, and ongoing collaboration between multiple disciplines to ensure optimal patient outcomes.Key points:• Maximal safe resection (89.05%) is the dominant surgical approach for WHO grade II LGGs, taking into consideration the location and extent of infiltration, among specialists in MENA Countries, reflecting global consensus on resection extent impacting outcomes (96.35% agreement).• Adjuvant therapy preferences vary: concurrent RT+TMZ for astrocytomas (42.34%) and sequential RT+PCV for oligodendrogliomas (45.99%), with 59.85% observing post-GTR in oligodendrogliomas.• IDH-mutant inhibitors (e.g., Vorasidenib) are supported by 64.96% of oncologists, but limited availability (58.39%) and cost (40.88%) hinder adoption.Importance of the study: This multicenter survey is the first to evaluate real-world management trends and barriers for WHO grade II low-grade gliomas (LGGs) among physicians in MENA Countries. While all specialists align with international guidelines in surgical strategies (e.g., maximal safe resection), significant heterogeneity exists in adjuvant therapy choices, particularly for astrocytomas versus oligodendrogliomas. Crucially, we identify systemic barriers—such as limited access to molecular therapies (IDH inhibitors) and cost constraints—that disproportionately affect WHO grade II LGGs care in the MENA Countries. Our findings underscore the urgent need for regionally adapted guidelines and multidisciplinary collaboration to standardize practices aligned with international guidelines. By highlighting disparities in resource availability and specialty-specific decision-making (e.g., radiation oncologists prioritizing post-resection seizures, p < 0.05), this study provides a roadmap for optimizing WHO grade II LGGs management in resource-limited settings and advocates for the inclusion of Arab populations in global trials of novel agents like Vorasidenib.
Ayoub Mamad*, Mohammed Amine Elafari, Mohammed Amine Bibat, Midaoui Moncef, Amine Slaoui, Tarik Karmouni, Abdelatif Koutani and Khalid Elkhader
Published on: 9th February, 2026
Iatrogenic ureteral injury is an uncommon but potentially severe complication of abdominopelvic surgery. When not identified intraoperatively, it may present days to weeks later with flank pain, fever, urinary tract infection, and imaging evidence of obstruction. Early recognition and timely urinary diversion are essential to prevent sepsis and preserve renal function.A 65-year-old patient underwent elective resection of an abdominal mass; pathology confirmed schwannoma. On postoperative day 15, the patient developed left flank pain and fever. Laboratory tests showed leukocytosis (WBC 15,000/mm³) and elevated C-reactive protein (150 mg/L); urine culture grew Escherichia coli. Contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated left hydronephrosis without stones, suggesting postoperative ureteral obstruction. Retrograde double-J stenting was attempted but failed. Urgent percutaneous nephrostomy achieved decompression with clinical improvement under targeted antibiotics. Definitive exploration revealed a 1 cm stricture of the lumbar ureter, managed by segmental resection and tension-free spatulated termino-terminal ureteroureterostomy over an internal stent. Postoperative recovery was uncomplicated; the stent was removed after 3 weeks. Follow-up ultrasound showed no persistent pelvicalyceal dilatation.Delayed ureteral obstruction should be suspected in postoperative patients presenting with flank pain, fever, and hydronephrosis. When retrograde stenting fails in the setting of infection, percutaneous nephrostomy provides rapid decompression and source control, allowing delayed definitive reconstruction. For short-segment proximal or mid-ureter strictures, ureteroureterostomy remains a reliable option when performed according to reconstructive principles.
Ayoub Mamad*, Mohammed Amine Bibat, Mohammed Amine Elafari, Midaoui Moncef, Amine Slaoui, Tarik Karmouni, Abdelatif Koutani and Khalid Elkhader
Published on: 19th February, 2026
Intravaginal erosion of synthetic mesh after laparoscopic promontofixation(sacrocolpopexy) is an uncommon but clinically relevant late complication. When mesh becomes exposed within the bladder, it may function as a persistent foreign body, encouraging chronic inflammation, bacterial colonization, recurrent lower urinary tract symptoms, and progressive encrustation that can culminate in bladder stone formation. We report a 60-year-old woman with a history of laparoscopic promontofixation using standard polypropylene mesh performed approximately five years earlier. She presented with progressive urinary symptoms. Bladder ultrasound demonstrated an intravesical calculus, and diagnostic cystoscopy confirmed a bladder stone developing on exposed intravesical mesh fibers, consistent with intravesical mesh erosion. Endoscopic management was performed with cystolithotripsy followed by section/resection and removal of the exposed intravesical mesh to eliminate the lithogenic nidus, with a favorable outcome. In women with prior promontofixation presenting with bladder stones, recurrent urinary tract infections, hematuria, or persistent irritative urinary symptoms, intravesical mesh erosion must be considered. Cystoscopy is essential for diagnosis because imaging may identify the stone but not the underlying foreign-body etiology, and definitive treatment requires both stone clearance and elimination of intravesical foreign material to prevent recurrence.
Taner Tan*, Ahmet Umur Topcu, Erdem Cig, Dilek Ertoy Baydar and Sinem Civriz Bozdag
Published on: 3rd March, 2026
Renal dysfunction after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) often results from common causes like drug toxicity, infection, or transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA). However, renal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) may be ignored. We discuss a 49-year-old man who experienced worsening kidney function despite being in hematologic remission and having negative results for infections and autoimmune diseases. A renal biopsy showed chronic tubulointerstitial injury consistent with renal GVHD, along with existing TMA. Treatment with eculizumab did not lead to improvement, likely indicating significant chronic damage. This case highlights the need to maintain clinical suspicion and to perform timely renal biopsies in cases of unexplained kidney dysfunction after transplant.
Mohammed Amine Elafari*, Mamad Ayoub, Mohammed Amine Bibat, Rhayour Anas, Maachi Youssef, Amine Slaoui, Tarik Karmouni, Abdelatif Koutani and Khalid Elkhader
Published on: 5th March, 2026
Psoas abscess is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition with non-specific clinical manifestations. The condition may be primary or secondary, depending on whether it has an underlying cause. The condition may be diagnosed with the help of imaging studies, especially contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT).A 55-year-old female patient with a history of treated hypertension presented with a 15-day history of fever and left-sided low back pain. Her laboratory parameters showed a high leukocyte count of 22,000 cells/mm³ and elevated levels of C-reactive protein (367 mg/L). Her renal functions were within normal limits, and the urine culture was negative. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed a large left-sided intra-abdominal fluid collection extending from the diaphragm to the left iliac fossa, measuring 66 x 305 mm with air bubbles. The collection also showed a left-sided intramuscular psoas collection of 66 x 50 x 131 mm. The patient received intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics (third-generation cephalosporin, aminoglycoside, and metronidazole). The patient underwent mini-lumbotomy, and nearly 1 liter of pus was drained. The patient’s postoperative course was satisfactory with complete resolution of symptoms. The histopathological examination showed non-specific changes.Psoas abscess should be suspected in patients with febrile low back pain and inflammatory syndrome. Contrast-enhanced CT scans are essential for diagnosis and assessment of the extent of disease. In complicated cases with large abscess formation, early surgical drainage along with appropriate antibiotics will provide the best outcome.This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and adapted management for successfully navigating the complexities associated with this condition.
Mohammed Amine Elafari*, Mamad Ayoub, Mohammed Amine Bibat, Maachi Youssef, Amine Slaoui, Tarik Karmouni, Abdelatif Koutani and Khalid Elkhader
Published on: 16th March, 2026
Ureteral double-J stents are a commonly used device in urological practice to allow urinary drainage, avoid ureteral obstruction processes, and protect the upper urinary tract after surgical procedures. However, long indwelling time may give rise to numerous complications, such as infection, migration, and fragmentation of the stent, especially encrustation. Encrustation of stents is a well-known complication that has been closely related to the time active of the stent and can cause significant morbidity if not timely addressed. In severe cases, abundant mineral deposition can result in the development of large calculi encasing the stent and rarely progress to staghorn stones. These cases may pose challenges in terms of the extraction of the stent and may result in complex endourological intervention. The encrustation likelihood is substantially higher if stents are left forgotten or remain in place longer than the advised period. Most patients with heavily encrusted stents have symptoms including flank pain, urinary tract infection, hematuria, or obstructive uropathy, but can present without any symptoms, and this can delay the diagnosis.
Bacteriolysis of peptidoglycan (PGN) cell wall destruction on cleavage, hydrolysis, and decomposition by copper nitrate and zinc sulfide solutions has been investigated on the ground of the results obtained from halo antibacterial susceptibility tests in metal sulfate solutions against Staphylococcus epidermidis, in which from halo-antibacterial susceptibility tests of metallic ion concentration of 100 mM/L against Staphylococcus epidermidis, the order of bacterial effect for the metal nitrate solutions is as follows, Cu2+>Zn2+ >Ag+>Pb2+>Al3+, and the other, in the metal sulfate solutions, the antibacterial effect order is found to be Zn2+>Cu2+>Ag+>Al3+. Cu(Ⅱ)-, Zn(Ⅱ)-ions induced bacteriolytic destructions for PGN cell wall on cleavage, hydrolysis, and decomposition within Cu(NO3)2 and ZnSO4 solutions have been elucidated that Cu(Ⅱ) and Zn(Ⅱ) ions can inhibit PGN biosynthesis Transpeptidase (TP)/Trans-glycosylase (TG) and PGN elongation, PGN cleavage occurs by copper ions- and zinc ions-containing autolysins amidase; AmiE, Rv3717, AmiA, PGN cell wall is hydrolyzed by copper-, and zinc-containing enzymes; PGRPs, MurA, LytA, LytM=Endopeptidase, Hydrolase LytB, and PGN decomposition by copper-, zinc-containing PGN inhibitive elongation occurs. Thus, Cu(Ⅱ) and Zn(Ⅱ) within Cu(NO3)2 and ZnSO4 solutions inhibit PGN biosynthesis and activate bacterial PGN autolysins against Staphylococcus epidermidis.
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