ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT SOLVENT EXTRACTS OF MEDICINAL PLANT: FAGONIA MOLLIS DELILE

The present study was aimed to evaluation of the medicinal uses of Fagonia mollis by studying some active constituents, antioxidants and antimicrobial activities. Fagonia mollis Delile was collected from different sites from Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The phytochemical analysis of the aerial parts of F. mollis indicated that the plant is rich in secondary compounds. F. mollis exhibited the highest content of tannins and saponins (19.9±1.68 and 16.8±1.32, mg/g D.W., respectively), followed by phenolics (11.6±0.72 mg/g D.W.), flavonoids (8.6±0.82 mg/g D.W.) and then alkaloids (5.6±0.64 mg/g D.W.). In the DPPH test system, the crud extract of F. mollis, with an IC50 value of 1.51 mg ml?1, but higher than that of the positive control catechol (0.37 mg ml?1). In the present study the petroleum ether and methylene chloride extracts of F. mollis inhibit all pathogenic bacteria with different rates. Ethyl acetate extract has no effect on both Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia, while the acetone inhibited all the bacteria except Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Methyl alcohol extract of plant on tested bacteria proved a broad spectrum antimicrobial potential. On the other hand, petroleum ether extract inhibited the growth of Candidia albicans and Mucor spp (8 and 9.3 mm, respectively), but has no effect on the Aspergillus fumigatus and A. niger. The methylene chloride, Ethyl acetate and methyl alcohol extracts had no antifungal activities against all the pathogenic fungi. Acetone extract inhibited the growth of A. fumigatus (10.2mm) but has no effect on the others. The above results revealed that F. mollis have an excellent anti-bacterial activity and can be used for disease therapy

ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT SOLVENT EXTRACTS OF MEDICINAL PLANT: FAGONIA MOLLIS DELILE

The present study was aimed to evaluation of the medicinal uses of Fagonia mollis by studying some active constituents, antioxidants and antimicrobial activities. Fagonia mollis Delile was collected from different sites from Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The phytochemical analysis of the aerial parts of F. mollis indicated that the plant is rich in secondary compounds. F. mollis exhibited the highest content of tannins and saponins (19.9±1.68 and 16.8±1.32, mg/g D.W., respectively), followed by phenolics (11.6±0.72 mg/g D.W.), flavonoids (8.6±0.82 mg/g D.W.) and then alkaloids (5.6±0.64 mg/g D.W.). In the DPPH test system, the crud extract of F. mollis, with an IC50 value of 1.51 mg ml?1, but higher than that of the positive control catechol (0.37 mg ml?1). In the present study the petroleum ether and methylene chloride extracts of F. mollis inhibit all pathogenic bacteria with different rates. Ethyl acetate extract has no effect on both Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia, while the acetone inhibited all the bacteria except Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Methyl alcohol extract of plant on tested bacteria proved a broad spectrum antimicrobial potential. On the other hand, petroleum ether extract inhibited the growth of Candidia albicans and Mucor spp (8 and 9.3 mm, respectively), but has no effect on the Aspergillus fumigatus and A. niger. The methylene chloride, Ethyl acetate and methyl alcohol extracts had no antifungal activities against all the pathogenic fungi. Acetone extract inhibited the growth of A. fumigatus (10.2mm) but has no effect on the others. The above results revealed that F. mollis have an excellent anti-bacterial activity and can be used for disease therapy

Understanding Michael Pisaro’s Solo Piano Music through Alain Badiou’s theory of the Event

This thesis focuses on the works of the composer Michael Pisaro and their connection with the concept of truth as outlined by the philosopher Alain Badiou (Being and Event, 1988). The main concern of this research is with the relation between silence, Pisaro’s piano music, and Badiou’s theory of the event. The thesis argues that Badiou’s faithful subject can be mapped onto the performer’s faithful interpretation of Pisaro’s composition, and involves the performance of many of Piasro’s piano works: fields have ears (1), Les Jours, Mon Aubépine, floating, drifting, C. Wolff, half-sleep beings, time, presence, movement, pi (1-2594), Fade, distance (1) and Akasa. The thesis argues, taking Badiou’s and Pisaro’s arguments through to their logical (if sometimes seemingly extreme) conclusions, that it is in the performance (and recording) of these pieces that the research ‘proper’ of the thesis rests. I begin with a discussion of Pisaro’s encounter with the music of John Cage – one of the most famous and leading experimental composers – and the influence it had on Pisaro in terms of using silence as a contingent part of his music. Pisaro’s compositions reveal a kind of respect for silence; silent moments reflect an openness to the world of truth, which is expressed in the form of incalculable events. As such, Pisaro’s encounter with Cage is conceived as a sort of truth process, in the terms Alain Badiou describes. It is not a coincidence that Badiou is, alongside Cage, one of the seminal influences on Pisaro, and the relationship of Pisaro’s compositional work to Badiou’s thought is a central aspect of the written portion of the thesis. Through employing Badiou’s philosophy, this research argues that, though representation and its entire pursuit of beauty in art may be regarded as being at the outset of artistic truth procedures, representation in and of itself is not and cannot be integral to a truth procedure. The thesis concludes that to accept that Badiou’s philosophy represents a profound and significant influence on Pisaro’s music means that the performer must take, almost dogmatically, a faithful attitude to Pisaro’s scores. Furthermore, it demonstrates that by understanding Pisaro’s music through Badiou’s theory of the event, new events (in the form of silences) intervene in performance situations, keeping in mind that the performer can only act faithfully on the basis of the demands of Pisaro’s scores, and thus cannot ‘force’ silence to produce truth, but can only act in the faith that that will have happened

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis of weight- and height-scaled tobramycin dosage regimens for patients with cystic fibrosis

OBJECTIVES: To determine the outcomes of weight- and height-based tobramycin dosing regimens for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). METHODS: A simulated dataset of 5000 patients based on 331 patients with CF was created using NONMEM. Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were derived for each patient from a published model using Monte Carlo simulation. The abilities of 10 and 12 mg/kg/day and 3 and 4 mg/cm/day to achieve standard and extended Cmax (20-30 and 20-40 mg/L) and AUC0-24 (80-120 and 80-150 mg·h/L) targets were evaluated. PK/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) indices were a Cmax/MIC ratio ≥10 and an AUC0-24/MIC ratio ≥110. For these indices and a range of MICs, cumulative fractions of response (CFRs) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa were also determined. RESULTS: More patients achieved standard Cmax and AUC0-24 targets with 3 mg/cm/day (64% and 62%, respectively) than with 10 mg/kg/day (43% and 48%, respectively). AUC0-24 estimates >120 mg·h/L were more common with weight-based dosing. With higher doses, 72% achieved high target peaks with 4 mg/cm/day and 65% with 12 mg/kg/day. For the Cmax/MIC index, the maximal MIC for the target microorganism was 2 mg/L with lower doses, 2.5 mg/L with higher doses and 0.5 mg/L for AUC0-24/MIC-based regimens. The CFR for all regimens was >90% for Cmax targets and 66% to 79% for AUC0-24 targets. CONCLUSIONS: A tobramycin dose of 3 mg/cm/day rather than 10 mg/kg/day achieved similar PK/PD outcomes but dose and AUC0-24 ranges were narrower and the incidence of high AUC0-24 values was lower. Height-based doses should therefore be considered for patients with CF

Extrinsic post burn peri-anal contracture leading to sub acute intestinal obstruction: A case report

Peri-anal contracture lead to intestinal obstruction whenever there is involvement of anal orifice. In this case anus and peri-anal skin up to two cm was normal; however both gluteal folds were fused because of post burn scar leaving a very small opening which lead to faecal impaction and sub acute intestinal obstruction

Development of a Model of Pediatric Lung Failure Pathophysiology

A pediatric artificial lung (PAL) is under development as a bridge to transplantation or lung remodeling for children with end-stage lung failure (ESLF). To evaluate the efficiency of a PAL, a disease model mimicking the physiologic derangements of pediatric ESLF is needed. Our previous right pulmonary artery (rPA) ligation model (rPA-LM) achieved that goal, but caused immediate mortality in nearly half of the animals. In this study, we evaluated a new technique of gradual postoperative right pulmonary artery occlusion using a Rummel tourniquet (rPA-RT) in seven (25–40 kg) sheep. This technique created a stable model of ESLF pathophysiology, characterized by high alveolar dead space (58.0% ± 3.8%), pulmonary hypertension (38.4 ± 2.2 mm Hg), tachypnea (79 ± 20 breaths per minute), and intermittent supplemental oxygen requirement. This improvement to our technique provides the necessary physiologic derangements for testing a PAL, whereas avoiding the problem of high immediate perioperative mortality

Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Brucella Endocarditis: A Case Series

Sara Alfakeeh,1,* Reema Fahad Alghanem,1,* Shahad Bin Obaid,1,* Alya Alsuwayhib,1,* Ghaida Al Kawabah,1,* Reem Abanamy,1– 3,* Mohammad Bosaeed1– 3,* 1College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Mohammad Bosaeed, Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, 11426, Saudi Arabia, Email [email protected]:  Brucella endocarditis is a rare complication with a high mortality risk. This research aims to evaluate patients diagnosed with Brucella Endocarditis and review clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment strategies to serve as a foundation for future research in managing Brucella endocarditis and improving patient care and outcomes.Patients and Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with Brucella endocarditis from 2011 to 2022. The study included patients of all ages and genders who were diagnosed based on positive serum serology or blood culture in conjunction with clinical presentation. Diagnostic criteria for endocarditis were based on evidence of endocardial involvement, as confirmed by echocardiographic findings consistent with infective endocarditis. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.Results: Nine patients were included in this study. The most common presenting symptom was shortness of breath. Treatment regimens included Doxycycline and Rifampicin, always in combination with other antibiotics. Surgical intervention was necessary for two-thirds of the patients. Complications, such as septic shock, stroke, and heart failure, were observed in most cases. Six patients achieved clinical and microbiological cures, while one-third of the patients died. The deaths were primarily attributed to patients being deemed unsuitable for surgery due to a high surgical risk, based on their comorbidities and clinical assessments.Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of initiating an appropriate antibiotic regimen in a timely manner. Particularly in patients with pre-existing heart diseases, surgical intervention can significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce complications associated with Brucella endocarditis.Keywords: brucellosis, Brucella endocarditis, Brucella complication, Saudi Arabi

Food choice motivations and perceptions of healthy eating: a cross-sectional study among consumers in the UAE

Background: Investigating consumer food choice motivations is crucial for planning effective policies and targeted interventions. This study aimed to examine the food choice motivations and perceptions of healthy eating among adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and to segment consumers based on their motivations. Methods: A web-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among adults in the UAE (n = 1209). An overall perception of healthy eating score was calculated based on the sum of the responses to the perception statements. Food motivation scores were calculated with a higher score indicating more influence of the food motivation group. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) and K-means cluster analysis were used to identify and determine the optimal number of clusters. Differences between clusters were evaluated using an Independent sample t-test, One-Way ANOVA test, and Chi-square analysis. Results: Participants mostly agreed that a healthy diet should be balanced, varied, and complete (84.4%), that fruit and vegetables are essential to a practice of healthy eating (82.8%), and that they can eat everything as long as it is in small quantities (60.1%). Females, younger adults, those with higher education levels, and those with normal BMI tended to have a slightly more positive perception of a healthy diet than their counterparts (p < 0.05). Health motivation (mean = 3.43, SD ± 0.78) exhibited the highest influence on the participants’ food choices, followed by emotional motivations (mean = 3.26, SD ± 0.68). Health-related motivations mainly influenced food choices among participants in both identified clusters but were notably more emphasised in Cluster 1. Cluster 1 demonstrated significantly higher mean scores in all other categories than Cluster 2 (p < 0.001). Cluster 1 encompasses more female participants than males, while Cluster 2 comprises a more significant proportion of males and individuals falling within higher income brackets (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of the current study offer valuable insights into various crucial aspects that impact the decisions of individuals' food choices. Based on distinct motivational structures identified through cluster analysis, personalised approaches can encourage healthier dietary practices. A holistic approach acknowledging emotional, economic, environmental, alongside health-related factors is vital

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi symbiosis enhances growth, nutrient uptake, and oil quality in sunflower–pumpkin under intercropping systems

IntroductionThis study evaluated the effects of Funneliformis mosseae, an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, on nutrient uptake, biomass production, and oil quality in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) under both sole and intercropping field systems.MethodsA factorial experimental design was conducted over two growing seasons (2023 and 2024), involving three cropping systems: sunflower monoculture, pumpkin monoculture, and additive sunflower–pumpkin intercropping. Each system was assessed with and without AM inoculation to determine the interactive effects of mycorrhizal symbiosis and cropping pattern.ResultsAM inoculation significantly improved root colonization, especially in intercropped pumpkins, and enhanced key plant growth parameters, including chlorophyll content, plant height, leaf number, biomass, and reproductive traits. The highest performance was recorded in AM-treated intercropped systems for both crops. Seed weight increased notably under AM inoculation, reflecting improved reproductive development. Analysis of mineral nutrient content revealed substantial improvements in macro- and micronutrient uptake with AM symbiosis. Intercropped AM-treated plants showed enhanced levels of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, zinc, and iron compared to their non-mycorrhizal counterparts. Additionally, AM treatments led to a marked improvement in oil yield and quality. In particular, AM-inoculated sunflower and pumpkin seeds exhibited higher total oil content and a favorable shift in fatty acid composition, characterized by increased oleic acid and reduced linoleic acid concentrations.DiscussionThese findings highlight the synergistic potential of integrating AM fungal inoculation with intercropping practices to enhance crop productivity, nutrient use efficiency, and oilseed quality. The results support the adoption of AM fungi as a sustainable biofertilizer strategy in modern agroecosystems