Trichinellosis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by a nematode parasite of the Trichinella (T.) genus. It poses significant public health issues due to limited effective and safe treatment options, especially for the muscle-encysted larval stage. Citrus paradisi (C. paradisi), with its high content of flavonoids and polyphenols, has been recorded to possess anti-parasitic properties and numerous therapeutic applications. The present work aimed to assess the efficacy of C. paradisi extract peel extract as a therapeutic agent, either alone or combined with albendazole (ABZ), against T. spiralis in experimentally infected mice. Sixty-six lab-bred Swiss albino mice were divided into control and treatment groups, then received either ABZ, C. paradisi extract, or a combination of both during the enteral, migratory, and encapsulation phases of infection. Parasitological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical examinations were performed to evaluate the efficacy of the treatments. All treated groups displayed a highly significant difference (p < 0.001) in larval counts compared to the positive control group, with the combination therapy group having the highest efficacy and the lowest mean count value during different treatment regimens. In addition, treated groups showed improved muscle integrity compared to the positive control group. Moreover, the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) showed the highest expression reduction in the combination therapy group. These findings highlight the potential of C. paradisi as a complementary therapy to albendazole for treating trichinellosis through muscle larva reduction and mitigation of inflammation.

Aims: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to assess coping strategies among Sudanese individuals. Also, to evaluate the relationship between PTSD and coping mechanisms with sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods: This study utilized a cross-sectional design to assess PTSD and coping strategies in 716 Sudanese adults affected by war, selected through convenience sampling. Participants completed a Google Form questionnaire that included sociodemographic data, the PTSD Checklist for DSM–5 (PCL-5), and a coping scale. The analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 26, applying various statistical tests to evaluate relationships and differences.

Results: The findings revealed that nearly 43% of the sample met the criteria for a potential diagnosis of PTSD. About 69% of participants were female, with a median age of 23 years. Most participants were single (81%) and had been externally displaced (51%). Coping strategies varied among the participants: 34% focused on improving their habits, while others used reflective approaches (36%), sought positive perspectives (30%), employed humour (21%), or chose to wait for problems to resolve on their own (17%). Family income was significantly associated with PTSD symptoms (p=0.020). Participants with higher PTSD symptoms exhibited lower coping effectiveness, and both age and marital status significantly influenced coping mechanisms (p=0.027 and 0.037, respectively). Those who had been living in conflict zones for over six months reported the highest coping scores.

Conclusion: Our findings confirmed a high level of PTSD symptoms among the participants. Duration of residency in the conflict zone impacted the coping adopted and income played a crucial role in developing PTSD. This study underscores the need for urgent specific psychological support for individuals affected by the conflict. Further research is required to foster mental well-being, and put more attention to this issue.

Aims: To determine the prevalence of psychological distress among Sudanese medical students and its association with their sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 353 Sudanese medical students completed an online questionnaire containing socio-demographic data such as gender, age, year of study, marital status, monthly income, and residency. Additionally, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) items were employed to gauge the levels of psychological distress among the participants and to explore the association with the demographic data. Utilizing the Pearson chi-square test, the analysis delved into the associations between socio-demographics data and psychological distress.

Results: Anxiety was the most prevalent psychological distress among medical students, as 76.8% of them exhibited anxiety symptoms. This was followed by depression, with a prevalence of 70.2%, and 56.7% of the students reported suffering from stress. The study found significant associations between depression and stress with age and gender, as well as a significant association of anxiety with age.

Conclusion: A considerable number of medical students are experiencing psychological distress. It is recommended to implement intervention programmes to educate Sudanese medical students about mental health issues and psychological distress.

Haemonchosis is a fatal disease of livestock caused by Haemonchus contortus (HC) – a blood-sucking parasite of the abomasum. This parasite is quite prevalent in sheep, causing mortality and production losses. The suppressor of cytokine signalling-2 (SOCS2) gene plays a vital role in sheep’s immune response against gastrointestinal parasites. This study aimed to estimate the parasitic load of HC in three sheep breeds (Balkhi, Ghalji, and Michni) through faecal egg count and to identify SNPs in the SOCS2 gene associated with the susceptibility of sheep against HC. The results showed that the mean number of HC eggs per gram (EPG) was higher in the faecal samples of Ghalji (4022 ± 1162 EPG), followed by Michni (1988 ± 367 EPG), while the HC EPG was the lowest in Balkhi sheep (1535 ± 552 eggs/gm). Sequencing results showed polymorphisms in the SOCS2 gene between the low-infection and high-infection categories of the three sheep breeds. A total number of six genic variants were observed, of which three were SNPs, one was insertion, and two were deletions. Polymorphisms were observed in the intronic and 3′ UTR regions of the SOCS2 gene. A deletion (c.1083delGCA) in intron 1 and an insertion (c.3304insT) in intron 2 showed positive correlations (0.833 and 0.889, respectively) with the HC infection, while one SNP in the 3′ UTR region showed negative correlation (–0.654). This study provides a basis for selecting resistant sheep against HC infection based on the SOCS2 gene molecular markers.

In the present study, the High Score Plus software (Malvern Panalytical, 2014), combined with the PDF-4+ database release 2023 (ICDD, 2018), was used to perform phase identification from all the powder XRD data sets of 0.5 g by weight of the crystalline deposits from various units of refineries and gas plants. Subsequently, the Rietveld method with the generalized spherical harmonic description for preferred orientation correction [Von Dreele (1997). Journal of Applied Crystallography 30: 517–25; Sitepu (2002). Journal of Applied Crystallography 35: 274–77; Sitepu et al., (2005). Journal of Applied Crystallography 38: 158–67; Sitepu (2009). Powder Diffraction 24: 315–26] were used to determine texture and crystal structure refinement of scale deposits (calcite – CaCO3) from the boiler equipment at a gas plant and quantitative phase analysis of (i) iron oxide corrosion products from the boiler tube, (ii) synthetic mixtures of 87.0 wt% by weight of barite (BaSO4), 10.0 wt% by weight of hematite (Fe2O3), and 3.0 wt% by weight of quartz (SiO2), (iii) iron oxide corrosion products from the affected equipment parts in a refinery, (iv) vanadium oxide (V2O5), sodium vanadium oxide (NaV2O5), sodium vanadium sulfate hydrate (Na2V(SO4)2⋅H2O), and mackinawite (FeS) compounds found in the ash deposits from an external surface of the boiler tubes in a refinery, and (v) iron sulfide corrosion products found at the affected equipment in the sulfur recovery unit. The results revealed that the phase identification of powder XRD data is an excellent tool to determine the nature, source, and formation mechanism of crystalline deposits – part of the scale and corrosion products formed by the processes in the various units of refineries and gas plants. The quantitative Rietveld analysis results serve to guide the engineers at the refinery and gas plants to overcome the problems by applying the right procedures. For example, for iron oxide corrosion products, at a high temperature, magnetite will coat the iron/steel to prevent oxygen reaching the underlying metal. At low temperature, lepidocrocite formed and with time it transformed into the most stable goethite. Akaganeite is formed in marine environments. Additionally, for iron sulfide corrosion products, pyrophoric iron sulfide (pyrrhotite – FeS) results from the corrosive action of sulfur compounds (H2S) and moisture on the iron (steel). Additionally, for the crystalline ash samples from an external surface of the boiler tubes in a refinery, if sodium and vanadium compounds appear, the fuel oil is poor. For the boiler crystalline deposits, if a hematite phase appears, it means that the boiler feed water contains dissolved oxygen; and if the metallic copper appears among the crystalline deposits, it indicates erosion in the boiler tubes, and therefore, special precaution is required to prevent the plating out of copper during cleaning operations. Finally, for crystalline deposits from the steam drum equipment at the sulfur recovery unit, if magnetite has a high quantity, it indicates the presence of dissolved oxygen in the boiler feed water.

The therapeutic effects of soya consumption on adipokine concentrations have yielded inconsistent results in previous meta-analyses. This umbrella meta-analysis aims to investigate the impact of soya and its isoflavones on serum adiponectin and leptin levels in adults. We searched the Cochrane Central, Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus databases until October 10, 2024. The articles were restricted to those written in English. We included meta-analysis studies that evaluated the effects of soya and its isoflavones on levels of adiponectin and leptin and reported effect sizes (ES) and corresponding CI. Two independent reviewers screened all articles based on eligibility criteria and extracted the required data from the included meta-analyses. The meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model in STATA software. Six meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the current umbrella meta-analysis. The findings indicated that soya and its isoflavones did not have a significant effect on adiponectin (ES = 0·10; 95 % CI: −0·22, 0·41; P = 0·55; I2 = 51·8 %) and leptin (ES = −0·37; 95 % CI: −1·35, 0·61; P = 0·46; I2 = 71·2 %) concentrations. Subgroup analysis based on participants’ mean age, total sample size and duration was conducted. Results showed that the effect is not statistically significant in any of the subgroups. In conclusion, soya and its isoflavones could not improve the adipokines mentioned above. However, further high-quality research in different countries is required to substantiate these findings.

There are numerous challenges pertaining to epilepsy care across Ontario, including Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) bed pressures, surgical access and community supports. We sampled the current clinical, community and operational state of Ontario epilepsy centres and community epilepsy agencies post COVID-19 pandemic. A 44-item survey was distributed to all 11 district and regional adult and paediatric Ontario epilepsy centres. Qualitative responses were collected from community epilepsy agencies. Results revealed ongoing gaps in epilepsy care across Ontario, with EMU bed pressures and labour shortages being limiting factors. A clinical network advising the Ontario Ministry of Health will improve access to epilepsy care.

Embryos of optimal development reach blastocyst stage 116 ± 2 h after insemination. Usable D7 blastocysts represent nearly 5% of embryos in IVF with acceptable pregnancy and live birth rates, however data are still limited. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) of D7 blastocysts in single euploid frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. An observational study was performed including 1527 FET cycles with blastocysts biopsied on D5 (N = 855), D6 (N = 636) and D7 (N = 36). Blastocysts were classified as good (AA/AB/BA), fair (BB) or poor (AC/BC/CC/CA/CB) (Gardner scoring). FETs were performed in natural cycles (NC) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) cycles. Patient’s age differed significantly between D5, D6 and D7 blastocysts FET cycles (33.2 ± 5.6, 34.4 ± 5.3 and 35.9 ± 5.2, P < 0.001). OPRs were higher when D5 euploid blastocysts were transferred compared with D6 and D7 (56.0% vs. 45.3% and 11.1%, P < 0.001). Poor quality blastocysts were predominant in D7 blastocyst FET cycles (good quality: 35.4%, 27.2%, 5.6%; fair quality: 52.1%, 38.5%, 11.1%; poor quality: 12.5%, 34.3%, 83.3%, P < 0.001 for D5, D6 and D7 blastocysts; respectively). OPR was significantly reduced by D7 blastocyst FETs (OR = 0.23 [0.08;0.62], P = 0.004), patient’s BMI (OR = 0.96 [0.94;0.98], P < 0.001), HRT cycles (OR = 0.70 [0.56;0.88], P = 0.002) and poor quality blastocysts (OR = 0.33 [0.24;0.45], P < 0.001). OPR is significantly reduced with D7 compared with D5/D6 euploid blastocysts in FET cycles. The older the patient, the more likely they are to have an FET cycle with blastocysts biopsied on D7, therefore culturing embryos until D7 can be a strategy to increase OPR outcomes in patients ≥38 years.

This research paper aimed to examine the antibacterial activity of lactoferrin (LF) as a potential natural alternative in the dairy sector, by measuring its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against a number of common food-borne pathogens as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the major dairy product spoiling microorganisms. Additionally, a viability experiment was applied to laboratory-manufactured set yoghurt to assess its impact on the activity of starter culture, sensory properties and STEC survivability. The findings demonstrated that LF exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, particularly against E. coli and S. typhimurium with MIC values of 0.0001 and 0.01 mg/ml, respectively. However, P. aeruginosa and B. cereus were quite resistant to LF requiring higher concentrations for MIC (2.5 mg/ml). By the third day of storage, LF at 0.0001 and 0.001 mg/ml significantly reduced the survivability of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli STEC by 70 and 91.6%, respectively, in the lab-manufactured yoghurt. Furthermore, LF enhanced the sensory properties of fortified yoghurt with a statistically significant difference in comparison to the control yoghurt group. There was no interference with the activity of the starter culture throughout the manufacturing process and the storage period. In conclusion, the potent antimicrobial effect of LF opens a new avenue for the dairy industry's potential applications of LF as a natural preservative without negatively influencing the sensory properties and starter culture activity of fermented products.

Trichinellosis is a serious foodborne zoonosis. It poses a serious risk to public health worldwide. Early serological diagnosis of trichinellosis is influenced by an immunological ‘silent’ phase following infection. This highlights the necessity for developing sensitive diagnostic approaches to be employed when antibodies cannot be detected. In this work, the validity of traditional ELISA, Nano-ELISA and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were evaluated in early diagnosis of Trichinella spiralis. Swiss albino mice were orally infected with 100 and 300 muscle larvae/mouse. Mice were sacrificed 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, and 28 days post-infection (dpi). Blood samples were tested for circulating antigen by traditional ELISA and Nano-ELISA using anti-rabbit polyclonal IgG conjugated with AgNPs and for Rep gene by SYBR green real-time PCR. Rep gene detection by SYBR green real-time PCR could detect T. spiralis with 100% sensitivity in the mild infection group at 8 dpi, while in the severe infection group it reached 100% sensitivity at 4 dpi. Nano-ELISA could detect T. spiralis circulating antigen from 4 dpi in both mild and severe infection and reached 100% sensitivity at 8 dpi and 6 dpi in mild and severe infection, respectively. However, traditional ELISA could detect T. spiralis circulating antigen from 6 dpi and reached maximum sensitivity at 15 dpi in the mild infection group, while in the severe infection group detection began at 4 dpi and reached 100% sensitivity at 8 dpi. Nano-ELISA and real time PCR, using Rep gene, are useful tools for the detection of early T. spiralis infection even in its mild infection state.

Background: Hypothalamic hamartomas (HH) are a challenging cause of seizure in children, partly because the neural circuitry involved in ictogenesis is incompletely understood. We review our institutions’ use of magnetic resonance imaging-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) to treat hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) with resting-state fMRI performed immediately before and after ablation. Methods: Seed-based whole brain connectivity to thalamic regions of interest was performed immediately pre- and post- MRgLITT. Multivariable generalized linear models were used to correlate resting-state data with seizure outcomes. Results: Eight patients underwent MRgLITT treatments for HH, with a mean follow up of 29 months. Four patients (50%) were seizure free at 12 months and two (25%) had a significant improvement in seizure frequency. We identified reduced thalamocortical connectivity involving the anterior cingulate and posterior parietal regions, consistent with disconnection of the mammillothalamic tract and interruption of Papez circuit. Large-scale thalamocortical connectivity changes were driven by children who subsequently became seizure free. Conclusions: Disconnection of the mammillothalamic tract and interruption of thalamic circuitry in patients undergoing MRgLITT for HH appears to be associated with improved seizure outcomes. The ability to assess network changes immediately post- MRgLITT could enable operative adjustments to be made mid-procedure to optimize seizure outcome in real time.

Rapid advances in neurotechnology and neurosurgery are positioned to revolutionize care for patients suffering from debilitating neurological and psychiatric disease. Enthusiasm for the adoption of these technologies is tempered by ethical dilemmas regarding resource allocation, provision of care, communication with patients and other providers, and other potential pitfalls. In the present work, we discuss bioethical implications of novel neurotechnologies for medical practice. In particular, we examine the implications of neurotechnological advancement through the lens of professional communication. Emerging challenges within this domain are presented in the context of physician interactions with four key partners: (i) patients; (ii) other physicians; (iii) industry; and (iv) society-at-large. Anticipated issues as well as mitigation strategies are discussed as they relate to communication with these stakeholders.