Comparative analysis of RIRS scoring system and Resorlu Unsal Stone Score (RUSS) for predicting stone free rate after retrograde intrarenal surgery: A retrospective study

Objectives: To compare the predictive ability of the RIRS scoring system and the RUSS in predicting stone-free rate (SFR) after retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), and to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of both scoring systems, as well as their association with complications. Methods: This retrospective study was carried out on patients who underwent RIRS for renal stones between July 2017 and July 2020. Two scoring systems were used to assess the degree of difficulty of the procedure: the RIRS scoring system and the RUSS. The predictive ability of the two scoring systems were compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and calculated the sensitivity and specificity of each system. The association between the scoring systems and complications were determined using logistic regression. Results: A total of 200 patients were included in the study with a mean age of 50.13± 8.98 years and 120 (60%) were males. The results showed a significant AUC of 0.669 for the RIRS score (P<0.001), 95% CI (0.599 to 0.734). The sensitivity and specificity were 76.51 % and 85.7%, respectively. In contrast, the RUSS score revealed a non-significant unsatisfactory AUC of 0.480 (P = 0.845), with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 0.438 to 0.581.&nbsp

Screening and optimization of samarium-assisted complexation for the determination of norfloxacin, levofloxacin and lomefloxacin in their corresponding dosage forms employing spectrofluorimetry

Multivariate strategy was applied for setting a fluorescent technique for the determination of three fluoroquinolones: norfloxacin (NOR), levofloxacin (LEV) and lomefloxacin (LOM) in their pure powder and dosage forms. Based on their known interaction with lanthanides, and augmented fluorescence intensity obtained by antenna effect at λex/λem = 314/553, 312/553 and 310/556 for NOR, LEV and LOM, respectively, the current research was scrutinized. Four continuous factors were selected for study in the screening step by means of Plackett-Burman Design, where temperature factor was excluded for being non-significant and the other factors as volume of metal ion solution, pH and reaction time were evaluated through Central Composite Design. 3-D surfaces demonstrations and 2-D contour plots designated the factors interactions followed by optimization plots, which defined the best blend for factors conjunction. pH factor was the chief motor force affecting the response as the number of coordinated ligands formed depends on the pH, whereas 1:2 complex is the main species at higher pH values followed by the volume of metal ion solution and ended by little effect of the reaction time. Model verification was monitored, which showed the model superiority for the three fluoroquinolones, where all target points tested were in good agreement with the predicted ones. The linear range for the tested drugs were found to be 0.090–1.280 μg/mL for NOR, 0.068–1.448 μg/mL for LEV and 0.077–1.552 μg/mL in case of LOM, thus approving the suitability of this method for Quality Control testing. Furthermore, applying these conditions to test the fluoroquinolones in their pharmaceuticals was done as well as intra and inter-day effects as to confirm the validity of this technique for routine analysis. Recovery % and RSD were found to be 99.958 ± 0.797, 99.887 ± 0.935 and 100.427 ± 0.698 for NOR, LEV and LOM respectively in their pure powder. While it was calculated to be 100.200 ± 0.785, 100.530 ± 0.396 and 100.620 ± 0.896 for NOR, LEV and LOM in their corresponding dosage forms. This excellent precision and accuracy obtained in results impulse it to be one of the most appropriate methods for further analysis.The authors are thankful to Qatar University for the financial support of this work through Internal Grant.Scopu

Immunostimulant as an adjuvant therapy on Toll-like receptor concentration in children with acute otitis media

Abstract Background Acute otitis media (AOM) is the commonest pediatric bacterial infection, affecting up to 75% of children at some time before age 5 years. AOM is among the primary reasons for antibiotic prescriptions in pediatric outpatients. This study aimed to detect the value of immunostimulant as an adjuvant therapy with antibiotics for treatment of acute otitis media in children. This study included 60 children suffering from acute otitis media; their age ranged from 3 to 5 years during the period from May 2018 to March 2019. The patients in this study were divided into 2 groups: group A included 30 patients with AOM who received amoxicillin and clavulanic acid antibiotic at attack of AOM. Group B included 30 patients with AOM who received the same antibiotic with immunostimulant (Echinacea extract) for 3 months. Samples of blood were taken from all patients to detect the level of Toll-like receptor by real-time PCR, before and after 3 months of antibiotic and immunostimulant therapy. All cases underwent assessment including complete history taking, otoscopic examination of the ear, and blood sample to detect the level of Toll-like receptor (TLR) before and after the therapy by real-time PCR. Results There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the TLR2 expression in antibiotic-treated patients than its expression before treatment. On the other hand, there was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the TLR2 expression in immunostimulant plus antibiotic-treated patients than its expression before treatment; there was a high significant (P < 0.001) increase in the expression of TLR2 in the immunostimulant plus antibiotic than the antibiotic-treated patients. Conclusion The role of antibiotics against bacterial infection causing acute otitis media can be enhanced by immunostimulant which increases the expression of Toll-like receptors which play a major role stimulating immune system to resist bacterial infection

Ameliorative effects of zinc supplementation on cognitive function and hippocampal leptin signaling pathway in obese male and female rats

Abstract Obesity has been associated with cognitive impairments, increasing the probability of developing dementia. Recently, zinc (Zn) supplementation has attracted an increasing attention as a therapeutic agent for cognitive disorders. Here, we investigated the potential effects of low and high doses of Zn supplementation on cognitive biomarkers and leptin signaling pathway in the hippocampus of high fat diet (HFD)-fed rats. We also explored the impact of sex difference on the response to treatment. Our results revealed a significant increase in body weight, glucose, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), total lipids and leptin levels in obese rats as compared to controls. HFD feeding also reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and increased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the hippocampus of both sexes. The low and high doses of Zn supplementation improved glucose, TG, leptin, BDNF levels and AChE activity in both male and female obese rats compared to untreated ones. Additionally, downregulated expression of leptin receptor (LepR) gene and increased levels of activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) that observed in hippocampal tissues of obese rats were successfully normalized by both doses of Zn. In this study, the male rats were more vulnerable to HFD-induced weight gain, most of the metabolic alterations and cognition deficits than females, whereas the female obese rats were more responsive to Zn treatment. In conclusion, we suggest that Zn treatment may be effective in ameliorating obesity-related metabolic dysfunction, central leptin resistance and cognitive deficits. In addition, our findings provide evidence that males and females might differ in their response to Zn treatment

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Poly( N

Poly(N-vinylcaprolactam-co-itaconic acid), P(VC-co-IA), gels were synthesized in ethanol by using the free radical cross-linking polymerization method at 60 degrees C for 24 h in the presence of azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) and ally] methacrylate (AMA) as the initiator and the cross-linking agent, respectively. In order to determine the effect of the synthesis medium on the percentage of gelation (PG) and equilibrium swelling value (ESV), an ethanol/distilled water mixture (80:20, v/v) was also used as the synthesis medium for poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVC) and P(VC-co-IA) gels. The swelling behaviors of the gels were investigated in distilled water at various temperatures and in different pH buffer solutions. Structural, morphologic, and thermal characterization studies of the gels were carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The lowest PG and highest ESV were obtained for the gel including 5 mol % IA, which was the gel synthesized in the ethanol/distilled water mixture. PVC synthesized in ethanol/water mixture had the highest percentage of gelation. All the gels displayed pH- and temperature-sensitive swelling behavior. The swelling kinetics of the copolymer gels synthesized in ethanol was investigated at pH 10.0, and it was determined that gels containing 5 and 10 mol % of IA indicated non-Fickian and case II swelling behavior, respectively