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Jesper Park-Hansen,1 Anders M Greve,2,3 Johan Clausen,1 Susanne J Holme,4 Christian L Carranza,4 Akhmadjon Irmukhamedov,5 Lubna Sabah,1 Qing Lin,1 Anne Sofie Madsen,1 Helena Domínguez1,2 1Department of Cardiology, Bispebjerg/Frederiksberg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; 2Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, 3Department of Cardiology, Herlev/Gentofte University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; 4Department of Thoracic Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; 5Department of Thoracic Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark Background: Incident atrial fibrillation (AF) is reported in 10%–65% of patients without previous AF diagnosis after open heart surgery. The risk of late AF recurrence after a postoperative AF onset is unclear, and it is controversial whether AF limited to the postoperative period should elicit oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term recurrence of AF in patients developing new-onset peri-procedural AF. Patients and methods: Patients (n=189) with available baseline and follow-up data included in Left Atrial Appendage Closure with Surgery trial were coded for known AF at baseline and for postoperative first-time AF diagnosis. AF occurrence was classified as follows: peri-procedural ≤7 days postoperatively, early >7 days but ≤3 months and late >3 months. Patients with no AF recurrence registered during follow-up were invited to undergo Holter monitoring. Results: A total of 163 (86.2%) patients had no history of AF. Among these, 80 (49.1%) developed new-onset peri-procedural AF. After a mean follow-up of 3.7±1.6 years, late AF occurred in 35 of the 80 (43.8%) patients who developed peri-procedural AF and in 6 additional patients (7.2%) who remained in sinus rhythm until discharge (hazard ratio [HR] 9.3, 95% CI 3.8–22.4, p

This study was carried out in the Laboratory of Plant Phytology at the Department of Plant Protection at Faculty of Agriculture, University of Karbala, in order to isolate and diagnose twelve isolates of Fusarium spp. isolated from imported banana fruits that found in local markets. The fungal isolates were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nucleotide sequencing of DNA multiples using ITS1 and ITS4. The results of the analysis of the sequence of the nitrogen bases of the double-stranded PCR products using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) showed that all the isolates of the fungus are attributed to Fusarium Spp. The Nucleotide sequence analysis of isolation isolates in this study showed that there was a genetic variation among them, as well as between newly recorded isolates and other isolates belonging to the same fungus, which were established at the National Center for Biotechnology Information, NCBI). The results showed that nine isolate isolates were not previously registered with the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), so they were registered under entry numbers (MN093942, MN121160, MN121161, MN121533, MN132885, MN121544, MN123531, MN121577 and MN121630). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans possessed a lot of factors that play an important role in the development of parasitism and growth stages of the pathogen on plant host and consider a quantitative measure of plant disease. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate some genes responsible for the virulence factors (pilB and Sid) in isolates of P. syringaepv. lachrymans that caused angular spot disease on cucumber leaves in different areas of Najaf province. The results showed that the pilB and Sid genes were amplified in fifty-two isolates of P. syringae pv. lachrymans, forty-five isolates containedpilB gene which responsible for adhesion factors through the emergence of binds in a molecular size of 586 base pairs on agarose gel after electrophoresis. Also forty-five isolates contained Sid gene, which responsible for the siderophore factor through the emergence of binds in a molecular size of 572 base pairs on agarose gel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different chemical and natural treatments in order to control black mold disease caused by Aspergillus niger on grapevines and to evaluate their effect on some growth and production parameters under field conditions. Three factors were used to induce resistance: Salicylic acid (SA), Humic acid (HA), Seaweed extract ‘Tecamin Alga (Ta) in addition to the fungicide Tapsen70. Spraying the grapevines with the solutions of these treatments led to a significant reduction in the severity of infection to 0% compared to the negative control treatment (spraying the plants with water only) and the treatment of positive control (spraying with A.niger spore suspension) in which the infection severity were 13.6 and 46.13%, respectively. The treatments also positively affected growth and yiels parameters. They significantly increased leaf chlorophyll content, percentage of soluble solids compounds TDS/ppm, numbers of clusters/plant, cluster weight, peduncle length and numbers of pedicles/ cluster, and decreased period to maturity. Generally, the SA treatment, individually or interacted, was superior to other treatments in increasing all growth and production parameters, especially when compared to negative and positive control, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Fusarium, especially F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum, has been found in several Cereals especially inmaize and products worldwide, the presence of Fusarium in maize constitutes an pressing risk due to itscapability to producemycotoxins such asfumonisins, with proven carcinogenic effect on rats, pigs, swine and horses and already classifiedas possible carcinogens to human.B1 (FB1), a mycotoxin a predominant carcinogen, tt is shown to be nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, neurotoxic and immunosuppressing. In present study, we report the ameliorating effects of, Lactobacillusplantarum on FB1-induced toxicityin Rats. A4- week treated orally, experiment consisting of12male Rats was performed in four treatment groups. Protective treatment (5×106 cell/ml) with L. plantarumco-administration treatment FB1-100mg/kg b.w(At the end of the treatmentperiod, serum biochemistry, were evaluated in all Rats. Theresults demonstrated that administration of L. plantarum efficiently improved biochemical parameters its reduced the serum activity levels glutamicoxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamicpyruvic transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) by 41.65, 43.81 and 112.0, respective. These results suggest that inmale rats consumingoraly FB1, there is increase in serum enzymes activities. Moreover, L. plantarum strains have a protective effect against toxicity in rats. Therefore, the use of LAB as a source of natural antimycotoxin agentsshowed promising, economical and successful strategy for preserving food products from Fusarium toxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Endometriosis is regarded as a benign condition, despite the potential for recurrence and metastasis,. It might lead to secondary ovarian cancer from endometrioma. Objective The aim of this current study was to determine the relationship between risk factors for endometriosis and disease stages. Methods This current cross-sectional study was performed at the endoscopic unit at Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt. The participants included 85 women who were candidates for laparoscopy and diagnosed with endometriosis in the period from November 2019 to November 2020. The tools used for data collection were a structured interviewing form and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine scoring tool (ASRM) for determining stages of endometriosis. Results The high percentages of studied women were nulliparous (74.1%) and (51.8%) have secondary infertility. Endometriosis was staged as 20.0% minimal (ASRM stage I), 34.1% mild (ASRM stage II), 29.4% moderate (ASRM stage III), and 16.5% severe (ASRM stage IV). Congestive dysmenorrhea (78.8%), dyspareunia (77.6%), and secondary infertility (51.8%) were more reported symptoms in all stages of endometriosis. Conclusion This study concluded that women within reproductive age, nulliparity, lower body weight, urban residence, and past surgery of the pelvic were considered as risk factors in all disease stages.

Background Endometriosis is considered the most common cause of pelvic adhesions in women. Endometriosis- associated adhesions could result in the formation of fibrous bands, which contain endometriotic glands, stroma and scarring. The aim of this study was to identify the impact of endometriosis-related adhesions on quality of life among infertile women. Materials and Methods This descriptive study was conducted at Endoscopic Unit, in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt. Oral consent for participation in this study was taken from 109 women who were candidates for laparoscopy as infertile cases and were diagnosed with endometriosis. They were classified into two groups namely, group I (n=41) who had endometriosis with adhesions and group II (n=68) who had endometriosis without adhesions. A structured interviewing form, adhesion scoring method of the American Fertility Society, and Global Quality of Life Scale were used to collect required information. Results The prevalence of adhesions resulted from endometriosis was 37.6%. Demographic characteristics of the women with endometriosis-related adhesions were not significantly different from those of women without endome- triosis-related adhesions. The most common location for endometriotic adhesions was adnexal adhesion (51.2%) fol- lowed by adhesion of anterior abdominal wall (24.4%). Quality of life was significantly impacted by endometriosis- related adhesions (P=0.002). Conclusion A high percentage of studied patients had a moderate degree of adhesions. Adhesions caused by endo- metriosis had an impact on quality of life of the studied women.

Background: Afterpains are the most common complaint after a normal vaginal delivery. Non-pharmacological techniques are important priority care for alleviating afterpains. Aim: The present study aimed to assess the effect of uterine massage and emptying of the urinary bladder on alleviation of afterpains among mothers in the immediate postpartum period. Subjects and method: In the quasi-experimental study design, 88 mothers who had afterpains were selected by purposive sampling from the postpartum ward of Zagazig University Hospital, Egypt. Data were collected through a structured interview sheet and visual analog pain scale. The study sample received a uterine massage and regular emptying of the urinary bladder. The outcome (afterpains) was assessed using a visual analog pain scale after an hour of childbirth until discharge from the hospital. Results: There was a significant reduction in the level and mean afterpains score after the interventions (P = 0.012 & P

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its progression are major health problems that many countries including Saudi Arabia are facing. Determination of HCV genotypes and subgenotypes is critical for epidemiological and clinical analysis and aids in the determination of the ideal treatment strategy that needs to be followed and the expected therapy response. Although HCV infection has been identified as the second most predominant type of hepatitis in Saudi Arabia, little is known about the molecular epidemiology and genetic variability of HCV circulating in the Jeddah province of Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to determine the dominance of various HCV genotypes and subgenotypes circulating in Jeddah using partial sequencing of the NS5B region. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind in Saudi Arabia. To characterize HCV genotypes and subgenotypes, serum samples from 56 patients with chronic HCV infection were collected and subjected to partial NS5B gene amplification and sequence analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of the NS5B partial sequences revealed that HCV/1 was the predominant genotype (73%), followed by HCV/4 (24.49%) and HCV/3 (2.04%). Moreover, pairwise analysis also confirmed these results based on the average specific nucleotide distance identity: ±0.112, ±0.112, and ±0.179 for HCV/1, HCV/4, and HCV/3, respectively, without any interference between genotypes. Notably, the phylogenetic tree of the HCV/1 subgenotypes revealed that all the isolates (100%) from the present study belonged to the HCV/1a subgenotype. Our findings also revealed similarities in the nucleotide sequences between HCV circulating in Saudi Arabia and those circulating in countries such as Morocco, Egypt, Canada, India, Pakistan, and France. These results indicated that determination of HCV genotypes and subgenotypes based on partial sequence analysis of the NS5B region is accurate and reliable for HCV subtype determination.

The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of pain in different ulcer types and to identify factors associated with pain experience in patients with lower-extremity ulcers. A cross-sectional single-centre study was performed, including 130 newly referred outpatients with lower-extremity ulcers. Pain intensity was measured with a visual analog scale (VAS) and pain characteristics with the short form mcgill pain questionnaire-2 (SF-MPQ-2). The mean pain intensity was 29.5 (SD 31.8) at rest and 35.5 (SD 34.1) during movement (0-100 VAS). 61.5% of the patients experienced pain (VAS > 0) at rest and 70.8% during movement. Moderate to severe pain at rest was seen in 39.2% and in 43.8% of patients during movement. The mean total score on SF-MPQ-2 (range 0-220) was 35.9 (SD 32.6). Most of the patients described pain as intermittent (mean 11.8 SD 13.9). Analgesics were prescribed for 78% of the patients. Ulcer type (i.e., arterial, immunological, pressure and venous) and age were associated with pain severity, and women had a significantly lower well-being score than men. Prevalence of pain in patients with lower-extremity ulcers was high across different ulcer aetiologies. Pain intensity and quality must be assessed to obtain adequate pain management., (© 2024 The Authors. Wound Repair and Regeneration published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Wound Healing Society.)

Acute wounds may require cleansing to reduce the risk of infection. Stabilized hypochlorous acid in acetic buffer (HOCl + buffer) is a novel wound irrigation solution with antimicrobial properties. We performed a first-in-man, prospective, open-label pilot study to document preliminary safety and performance in the treatment of acute wounds. The study enrolled 12 subjects scheduled for a split-skin graft transplantation, where the donor site was used as a model of an acute wound. The treatment time was 75 s, given on 6 occasions. A total of 7 adverse events were regarded as related to the treatment; all registered as pain during the procedure for 2 subjects. One subject had a wound infection at the donor site. The mean colony-forming unit (CFU) decreased by 41% after the treatment, and the mean epithelialization was 96% on both days 14 (standard deviation [SD] 8%) and 21 (SD 10%). The study provides preliminary support for the safety, well-tolerance, and efficacy of HOCl + buffer for acute wounds. The pain was frequent although resolved quickly. Excellent wound healing and satisfying antimicrobial properties were observed. A subsequent in vitro biofilm study also indicated good antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a 96% mean reduction of CFU, when used for a treatment duration of 15 min ( P  < .0001), and a 50% decrease for Staphylococcus aureus ( P  = .1010). Future larger studies are needed to evaluate the safety and performance of HOCl + buffer in acute wounds, including the promising antimicrobial effect by prolonged treatment on bacterial biofilms.

Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are the most common type of leg ulcers with a significant socioeconomic burden due to slow healing. Cytokines may be involved in the pathogenesis of VLUs. In this systematic review, our objective was to investigate the association between cytokine levels, including growth factors, with the healing of VLUs. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched from their inception to August 2021. We retrieved 28 articles investigating 38 different cytokines in 790 patients. Cytokines were most commonly investigated in wound fluid and less frequently in biopsies and serum. The studies were judged as having a moderate to high risk of bias, and the results were often inconsistent and sometimes conflicting. A meta-analysis was not performed due to clinical and methodological heterogeneities. We found weak evidence for elevated IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and VEGF levels in non-healing VLUs, an elevation that declined with healing. TGF-β1 levels tended to increase with VLU healing. Other cytokines warranting further investigations include EGF, FGF-2, GM-CSF, IL-1β, IL-1Ra and PDGF-AA/PDGF-BB. We conclude that non-healing VLUs may be associated with an elevation of a palette of pro-inflammatory cytokines, possibly reflecting activated innate immunity in these wounds. There is a paucity of reliable longitudinal studies monitoring the dynamic changes in cytokine levels during wound healing.

The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the wound-healing effect and antimicrobial properties of a novel stabilized hypochlorous acid solution on acute wounds, using a suction blister wound model. One suction blister was raised and de-roofed on each forearm in 20 healthy volunteers. Stabilized hypochlorous acid/control (sterile 0.9% NaCl) solutions were assigned to either wound by randomization. Wounds were irrigated and treated on days 0, 2 and 4. Re-epithelialization was assessed blindly by digital planimetry, and bacterial growth was assessed as the number of colony-forming units cultured from surface swabs. Hypochlorous acid solution increased the degree of re-epithelialization on day 4 by 14% compared with the control solution (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.8-20%, p = 0.00051) and was not inferior (p < 0.0001) to the control solution on day 10 (0.3%, 95% CI -1.3-1.9%). Median bacterial counts were lower with stabilized hypochlorous acid compared with control and were further reduced after irrigation and treatment of both groups on day 4, but remained lower in the stabilized hypochlorous acid group compared with the control group. This study demonstrates immediate and durable antimicrobial action and a beneficial effect on acute wound healing after irrigation and treatment with a stabilized hypochlorous acid formulation.