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Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), which are a common serious complication of diabetes mellitus, (lifetime occurrence, 19%–34%) account for at least 85% of all lower-limb amputations in diabetic patients. Special footwear (therapeutic footwear) is frequently recommended for such patients to adapt to changes in their foot structure. We aimed to, measure the effect of therapeutic footwear on DFU development and recurrence among previously affected patients in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was performed between June and September 2022. The study targeted patients aged ≥18 years previously diagnosed with DFU. Participants were contacted by telephone to complete a questionnaire assessing footwear use and foot care. This study included 115 participants with a mean age of 61.9 ± 11.63; overall, 47% of participants used therapeutic footwear and 46% were adherent with wearing it. The DFU recurrence rate among patients who used therapeutic footwear was 27.8% versus 52.5% among patients who did not (p = 0.013). While using therapeutic footwear, patients with foot deformities reported a lower ulcer healing rate than those who did not (50% vs. 81.8%, p = 0.04). Patients who examined their feet had a lower recurrence rate than those who did not (38.5% vs. 50%, p = 0.43). Therapeutic footwear use was significantly associated with decreased DFU recurrence. Further investigation to enhance the evidence for the effectiveness of therapeutic footwear in DFUs is warranted. • Therapeutic footwear use was associated with lower diabetic foot ulcer recurrence. • Ulcer healing rate was lower in people with foot deformities than in those without. • Non-compliance with Footwear use was due to a lack of awareness of its necessity. • Footwear prescription protocols and patient foot care education are warranted. • Among the top reasons for patients not buying the prescribed footwear is the price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural products derived from marine microbes have more potential toward to treatment of various diseases. Among the microbes, the secondary metabolites recovered from the marine actinomycetes were more added values. A promising antimicrobial metabolite producing filamentous actinomycete SCA-7 recovered from Alkhobar marine region was investigated for its potential to inhibit Gram positive Enterococcus sp. In addition to the chemical characterization, the polyketide gene cluster of the actinomycete SCA-7 was sequenced. Among the 8 actinomycetes isolated from the marine sample, the isolate SCA-7 produced significant antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus sp. The biochemical, physiological and morphological characteristics and fermentation assimilation pattern confirmed that the isolate belonged to the genus Streptomyces. The 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing results showed 99% sequence similarity to Streptomyces felleus. The antimicrobial activity of the crude ethyl acetate extract was performed by disc diffusion method. The spectral characterization was done by 13C NMR and 1H NMR. The compound was polyketide in nature. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the polyketide compound against Enterococcus sp. was 25 μg/mL. Among the agro-industrial waste materials, wheat bran showed increased secondary metabolite production. Antibacterial activity was found to be high when the isolate SCA-7 was grown in wheat bran substrate and maximum zone of inhibition (22 mm) was recorded in it. Among the carbon and nitrogen sources, lactose enhanced the production of secondary metabolites and the zone of inhibition against Enterococcus sp. was 25 mm. The amplification and sequencing of the ketoacyl synthase gene clearly indicated that it was type I polyketide synthase (PKS) gene of Streptomyces species. Overall, the therapeutic drug molecule isolated from the marine Streptomyces species might be used for the treatment of disease causing microbial clinical pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to assess the impact and efficiency of the bioaugmentation as a bioremediation technique in annoying effects of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (phenanthrene) on a community of free-living nematodes from Bizerte bay (Tunisia). For this purpose, closed microcosms were exposed to three doses of phananthrene (0.1 μg kg−1, 1 μg kg−1 and 10 μg kg−1), in combination or not with a strain of Shewanella oneidensis. After 40 days of the exposure, results were obtained at the numerical, taxonomic and feeding levels. The results of univariate analyses revealed significant decreases in most univariate indices for phenanthrene treated communities compared to controls, with a discernible increase in the proportion of epistrate feeders. After bioaugmentation, similar patterns were observed for univariate and multivariate analyses, with the exception of the highest treatment, which showed no difference from the controls. The results obtained showed that the bioaugmentation with Shewanellea oneidensis was highly effective in reducing the negative impact of the highest dose of phenanthrene (10 μg kg−1 Dry Weight) tested on meiobenthic nematodes. Furthermore, a combination of Shewanellea oneidensis and four omnivore-carnivore nematode taxa could be suggested as an effective method in the bioremediation of phenanthrene-contaminated sediment. [Display omitted] • Univariate indices of meiobenthic nematodes decreased after exposure to phenanthrene. • Chromadorella and Mesacanthion are negative bioindicative taxa to phenanthrene. • Proportions of carnivores-omnivores decreased after exposure to phenanthrene. • Bioaugmentation with Shewanellea oneidensis was efficient to remediate 10 μg phenanthrene.kg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental study was carried out to determine the effects of the enrichment of sediments by endocrine perturbators on free-living nematodes from the Ghar El Melh lagoon, Tunisia. For 30 days, four concentrations of Estradiol Benzoate (hereafter EB) (0.43, 4.3, 8.6 and 12.9 ng l−1). The average nematode abundances showed a significant increase after the introduction of EB in their close environment. In contrast, the taxonomic examination has shown a decrease in species diversity of nematodes. The ordination of treatments according to the nMDS showed a clear structural separation of the enriched replicates with EB from controls based on species lists, in particular for concentrations EB3 and EB4. Indeed, under such conditions, the nematofauna exhibited a more remarkable presence of a new record for Science Theristus n. sp. and a decrease in relative abundances of Paracomesoma dubium. On feeding level, a predominance of non-selective deposit-feeders and a decline in proportions of epistrate feeders and carnivorous omnivores was observed with increasing concentrations of EB. Furthermore, in treated replicates with EB, females discernibly showed an increase compared to controls. Overall, EB affect significantly features of meiobenthic nematodes starting from the concentration of 4.3 ng l−1. [Display omitted] • Nematodes are the best bioindicators of Estradiol Benzoate (EB) within the meiofauna. • EB induced a decrease in diversity of nematodes and an increase in their abundance. • Theristus n. sp. is a positive bioindicative nematode species to EB. • Paracomesoma dubium is a negative bioindicative nematode species to EB. Estradiol benzoate affect significantly the abundance and diversity of meiobenthic nematodes starting from the concentration of 4.3 ng l−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On March 2020, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was recommended as a treatment for COVID-19 high risk patients. Following the massive and widespread use of HCQ worldwide, a discernible high quantity is anticipated to end-up through the sewage systems in marine coastal areas. A closed microcosm study was undertaken herein for 30 days where meiobenthic nematodes were exposed to a range of HCQ concentrations (3.162, 31.62 and 63.24 μg.ml−1). After one month of exposure in HCQ, the total abundances and Shannon-Wiener index of the assemblages decreased, whereas the individual mass and the Trophic Diversity Index increased at the highest concentrations. Overall, a numerical negative impact was observed for the epistrate feeders and non-selective deposit feeders, however, this benefited to the omnivores-carnivores, and particularly to the Oncholaimids. Such responses of the nematodes 2B and the corresponding taxa are bioindicative of current- or post-COVID-19 crisis risks in relation with the bioaccumulation of HCQ in seafood. • Nematode abundance and diversity decreased under hydroxychloroquine contamination. • Individual mass increased at the highest hydroxychloroquine concentrations. • Exposure to hydroxychloroquine benefited to the omnivores-carnivore Oncholaimids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quail, one of the most important sources of meat and eggs, can aid in the reduction of the meat crisis if they are raised and cared for by small farmers. The current study investigated the impact of eggshell color variety on egg quality traits and hatching parameters of Japanese quail Coturnix japonica eggs. Therefore, 1,075 eggs were collected from female quails when they were 10-wk old. These eggs were distributed based on the color of their eggshells into 5 different classifications: eggshell with color type 1, very dark distributed brown spots on brown eggshell; eggshell with color type 2, small black spots on a white eggshell; eggshell with color type 3, widespread brown spots on brown eggshell; eggshell with color type 4, bubble egg, pin dotted on grayish brown color eggshell; and eggshell with color type 5, small brown spots on very clearly white eggshell. The characteristics of hatchability, internal and external egg quality, and the rate of embryonic death were then determined. The results showed that the percentage of fertility and commercial and scientific hatchability was greatly affected by eggshell color. There were also variations in the percentage of hatched chicks', early mortality rates, and late mortality rates based on eggshell color. According to the results of the current study, eggshell color has a significant impact on egg weight, egg width, and percentages of eggshell, yolk, and albumen but has no effect on shape index, egg length, or egg elongation. Based on the results, eggshells with color types 2 and 3 were recommended for use in hatching procedures due to their high levels of fertility (92.01 and 91.63%, respectively), scientific hatchability (82.92 and 83.93%, respectively), commercial hatchability (76.56 and 77.32%, respectively), and hatched chick (5.50 and 6.70, respectively). In addition, the late embryonic mortality rate was 0.00% for eggshells with color type 3. Therefore, the color of the eggshell can be employed as a key factor in guiding the eggs that are produced, whether they are going to be consumed at the table or used for hatching, to make breeding easier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]