Taxifolin prevents cisplatin nephrotoxicity by modulating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation in mice

Cisplatin (CIS) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of several malignancies. The clinical use of CIS is associated with adverse effects, including acute kidney injury (AKI). Oxidative stress and inflammation are key events in the development of CIS-induced AKI. This study investigated the protective effect of taxifolin (TAX), a bioactive flavonoid with promising health-promoting properties, on CIS-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. TAX was orally given to mice for 10 days and a single dose of CIS was injected at day 7. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were elevated, and multiple histopathological alterations were observed in the kidney of CIS-administered mice. CIS increased renal malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-1β, and decreased cellular antioxidants in mice. TAX remarkably prevented kidney injury, ameliorated serum BUN and creatinine, and renal MDA, NO, NF-κB p65, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and boosted antioxidant defenses in CIS-administered mice. TAX downregulated Bax and caspase-3, and upregulated Bcl-2. These effects were associated with upregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 activity in CIS-administered mice. In conclusion, TAX prevented CIS-induced AKI by mitigating tissue injury, oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death. The protective efficacy of TAX was associated with the upregulation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling

Risk Assessment Of In-Vitro Fertilization, Review Article

Since its remarkable inception in 1978, IVF has garnered significant public interest.   Currently, assisted reproductive technology is widely accessible in most developed countries, and the methods employed have significantly evolved since its inception.   Advancements in laboratory technology and clinical practice have enabled IVF to develop into a medical process that is highly efficient, safe, easily accessible, and comparatively affordable. Over 2 million children conceived by IVF have been born so far, and it is probable that ongoing improvements will increase its attractiveness and suitability. There has been a rising interest in the topic of risk assessment in IVF in recent years, with a significant amount of research focused on detecting and reducing the potential dangers linked to the operation.   This review article seeks to offer a thorough and all-encompassing analysis of the present understanding of risk assessments in IVF, encompassing the diverse range of risks and complications linked to the operation

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

The association between green human resources practices and employee engagement with environmental initiatives in hotels: The moderation effect of perceived transformational leadership

The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the nuanced relationships between a) green HRM practices, transformational leadership, and b) employee engagement with environmental initiatives. Therefore, the data were collected from 474 employees who work at hotels operating in Jordan. A series of confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling (SEM) were carried out to test the measurement model and the developed hypotheses. The findings indicate that employee engagement is positively associated with Green HRM practices. Additionally, this study provides original findings on how the contextual-institutional interactions between transformational leadership behaviors and green HRM practices can foster employee engagement with environmental initiatives

Surgical outcome after using negative pressure therapy in infected leg wounds in coronary bypass grafting surgery

Abstract Background Infection of leg wounds is a common complication following great saphenous vein harvesting (GSV) for coronary bypass grafting (CABG). This complication can result in increased risk of patient morbidity and mortality by causing septicemia, and gangrene, subjecting the patients to amputation. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) compared to conventional wound care in infected leg wounds following GSV harvesting for myocardial revascularization. Results The NPWT group had a significantly lower rate of deep vein thrombosis (p = 0.013), osteomyelitis (p < 0.001), bed sores (p < 0.001), shorter duration of tissue edema (p < 0.001), and lesser discharge (p < 0.001). Also, the length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the NPWT group (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis revealed that traditional wound care (without NPWT, p < 0.001) and wound stage IV (p = 0.001) significantly and independently prolonged the length of hospital stay. Conclusions The use of NPWT in advanced complicated infected leg wounds could improve patients’ outcomes and satisfaction by decreasing the rate of complications and the length of hospital stay

Surface Evaluation of a Multi-Pass Flexible Magnetic Burnishing Brush for Rough and Soft Ground 60/40 Brass

Burnishing is an advanced finishing process that produces higher-quality surfaces with better hardness and roughness than conventional finishing processes. Herein, a flexible magnetic burnishing brush comprising stainless steel pins under permanent magnet poles was used to investigate the influence of multiple passes and directions on the produced surface of soft and rough ground prepared brass. In total, five different samples were burnished on each of the two brass samples prepared. Four samples were processed in the same direction for up to four passes and the fifth sample was processed with two passes in the opposite direction. Results indicate that there was approximately a 30% increase in hardness and an 83% increase in microroughness for rougher-surface brass samples. For smoothly prepared surfaces, there was approximately a 14% increase in hardness and a 35% increase in microroughness. In the same direction of multi-pass burnishing, increasing the number of passes negatively affected surface roughness; for rougher surfaces, the surface hardness reduced and process uniformity increased owing to surface over-hardening and flaking mechanisms, and for smoother surfaces, the hardness, roughness, and process non-uniformity increased with the number of passes owing to repeated surface deformation at some locations and high flaking at other locations. Compared to single-pass burnishing, wherein the surface roughness and microhardness showed almost no change with high process uniformity, in burnishing with two opposite-direction passes, the produced surface exhibited better surface roughness, process uniformity, and microhardness improvements owing to a reverse strain mechanism. Hence, opposite burnishing passes are recommended

Feral Donkey Distribution and Ecological Impacts in a Hyper-Arid Region

The feral donkey (Equus asinus L.) is an invasive species in Saudi Arabia and can cause severe damage to natural and cultural heritage. Over the last 30 years, feral donkeys have become a serious problem, as their abundance and geographic distribution has increased drastically. The impacts of feral donkeys are not well documented, and information about their abundance and distribution is lacking, certainly in Saudi Arabia, which hampers the implementation of effective management plans. Accordingly, we used the minimum population number approach (MPN) to determine the number of feral donkeys in this part of northwest Saudi Arabia. A total of 1135 feral donkeys were encountered in the region. The area around Khaybar harbors ~25% (n = 338) of the feral donkey population, whereas Tayma and AlGhrameel nature reserves were the least-inhabited sites (almost absent). The average population density of feral donkeys was estimated as 1.03 (0.19 SE) donkey/km2. We documented the negative ecological impact of feral donkeys on natural resources, which constituted overgrazing that resulted in habitat fragmentation and competition for resources with native species. We propose urgent actions to control the presence of feral donkeys in the region and suggest humane eradication as the most efficient and applicable to significantly reduce the negative impacts of feral donkeys

Prevalence of Bleeding Symptoms among Adolescents and Young Adults in the Capital City of Saudi Arabia

Background. Bleeding disorders vary in prevalence. While some are rare, some can be common in both sexes. Most bleeding disorders manifest as chronic bleeding tendencies or as an increase in bleeding during surgical procedures or trauma. The consequences of bleeding can be as simple as iron deficiency or catastrophic, resulting in severe morbidity and mortality. Bleeding disorders typically affect both sexes except hemophilia A and B, which mainly affects males. Method. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey among adolescents and young adults (1901 [49%] boys, 1980 [51%] girls) in Riyadh city regarding bleeding symptoms. Of these, 1849 (47.6%) responded “Yes/Positive” for at least one question about the bleeding symptoms. Results. The most common bleeding symptom was epistaxis (19.7% of the sample population) detected in Phase I of the study. A tandem survey was conducted among 525 adolescents who had responded “Yes/Positive” to any one of the questions inquiring about bleeding symptoms. Conclusion. In this study, we report for the first time the prevalence of bleeding symptoms in a representative sample of Saudi adolescents and young adults