Agronomic performance of annual self-reseeding legumes and their self-establishment potential in the Apulia region of Italy

Abstract The agronomic performance, biological nitrogen fixation (BNF

Sonogashira diversification of unprotected halotryptophans, halotryptophan containing tripeptides; and generation of a new to nature bromo-natural product and its diversification in water

The blending together of synthetic chemistry with natural product biosynthesis represents a potentially powerful approach to synthesis; to enable this, further synthetic tools and methodologies are needed. To this end, we have explored the first Sonogashira cross-coupling to halotryptophans in water. Broad reaction scope is demonstrated and we have explored the limits of the scope of the reaction. We have demonstrated this methodology to work excellently in the modification of model tripeptides. Furthermore, through precursor directed biosynthesis, we have generated for the first time a new to nature brominated natural product bromo-cystargamide, and demonstrated the applicability of our reaction conditions to modify this novel metabolite

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus. A new threat to cucurbits in Lebanon

Virus diseases are the major cause of economic losses in commercial cucurbit production in Lebanon. Besides mosaic inducing viruses, which have been noted for several years, greenhouse-grown cucumber and melon were often observed with severe yellowing symptoms that started as interveinal mottle on the older leaves and developed into severe yellowing symptoms as the leaves became older. The incidence, in fall crops reached up to 100% in several locations along the Lebanese coast. The presence of Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder Crinivirus (CYSDV) was confirmed by the following tests: transmission by Bemisia tabaci to cucumber, melon and squash but not to lettuce or to Physalis floridana; presence in infected plants of two dsRNAs of about 8 and 9 kbp similar to those reported for criniviruses; observation of a few flexuous particles in leaf dip preparations; cytological alterations observed in infected plants, typical for Crinivirus and Closterovirus infections; and amplification by RT-PCR, using CYSDV-specific primers, of a DNA fragment that showed 99% nucleotide sequence identity with that of a CYSDV isolate from Spain. This is the first report of CYSDV in Lebanon

Design and Synthesis of Newly Synthesized Acrylamide Derivatives as Potential Chemotherapeutic Agents against MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line Lodged on PEGylated Bilosomal Nano-Vesicles for Improving Cytotoxic Activity

Cancer is a multifaceted disease. With the development of multi drug resistance, the need for the arousal of novel targets in order to avoid these drawbacks increased. A new series of acrylamide derivatives was synthesized from starting material 4-(furan-2-ylmethylene)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)oxazol-5(4H)–one (1), and they are evaluated for their inhibitory activity against β-tubulin polymerization. The target molecules 2–5 d were screened for their cytotoxic activity against breast cancer MCF-7 cell line. The results of cytotoxicity screening revealed that compounds 4e and 5d showed good cytotoxic profile against MCF-7 cells. Compounds 4e produced significant reduction in cellular tubulin with excellent β-tubulin polymerization inhibition activity. In addition, compound 4e exhibited cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells by cell cycle arrest at pre-G1 and G2/M phases, as shown by DNA flow cytometry assay. Aiming to enhance the limited aqueous solubility and, hence, poor oral bioavailability of the prepared lead acrylamide molecule, 4e-charged PEGylated bilosomes were successfully fabricated via thin film hydration techniques as an attempt to improve these pitfalls. 23 full factorial designs were manipulated to examine the influence of formulation variables: types of bile salt including either sodium deoxy cholate (SDC) or sodium tauro cholate (STC), amount of bile salt (15 mg or 30 mg) and amount of DSPE–mPEG-2000 amount (25 mg or 50 mg) on the characteristics of the nanosystem. The F7 formula of entrapment efficiency (E.E% = 100 ± 5.6%), particle size (PS = 280.3 ± 15.4 nm) and zeta potential (ZP = −22.5 ± 3.4 mv) was picked as an optimum formula with a desirability value of 0.868. Moreover, prominent enhancement was observed at the compound’s cytotoxic activity (IC50 = 0.75 ± 0.03 µM) instead of (IC50 = 2.11 ± 0.19 µM) for the unformulated 4e after being included in the nano-PEGylated bilosomal system

Clinical predictors of mortality in patients with pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

BackgroundInfections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa are difficult to treat with a significant cost and burden. In Lebanon, P. aeruginosa is one of the most common organisms in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). P. aeruginosa has developed widespread resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents such as fluoroquinolones and carbapenems. We aimed at identifying risk factors associated for P. aeruginosa infections as well as identifying independent risk factors for developing septic shock and in-hospital mortality.MethodsWe used a cross-sectional study design where we included patients with documented P. aeruginosa cultures who developed an infection after obtaining written consent. Two multivariable regression models were used to determine independent predictors of septic shock and mortality.ResultsDuring the observed period of 30 months 196 patients were recruited. The most common predisposing factor was antibiotic use for more than 48 hours within 30 days (55%). The prevalence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa was 10%. The strongest predictors of mortality were steroid use (aOR = 3.4), respiratory failure (aOR = 7.3), identified respiratory cultures (aOR = 6.0), malignancy (aOR = 9.8), septic shock (aOR = 18.6), and hemodialysis (aOR = 30.9).ConclusionUnderstanding resistance patterns and risk factors associated with mortality is crucial to personalize treatment based on risk level and to decrease the emerging threat of antimicrobial resistance

War, antimicrobial resistance, and Acinetobacter baumannii (WAMRA)

Supplement: 1Meeting Abstract: 0212</p

Sonogashira diversification of unprotected halotryptophans, halotryptophan containing tripeptides; and generation of a new to nature bromo-natural product and its diversification in water

The blending together of synthetic chemistry with natural product biosynthesis represents a potentially powerful approach to synthesis; to enable this, further synthetic tools and methodologies are needed. To this end, we have explored the first Sonogashira cross-coupling to halotryptophans in water. Broad reaction scope is demonstrated and we have explored the limits of the scope of the reaction. We have demonstrated this methodology to work excellently in the modification of model tripeptides. Furthermore, through precursor directed biosynthesis, we have generated for the first time a new to nature brominated natural product bromo-cystargamide, and demonstrated the applicability of our reaction conditions to modify this novel metabolite