Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are healthcare problems that commonly involve bacterial and, in some rare instances, fungal or viral infections. The irrational prescription and use of antibiotics in UTI treatment have led to an increase in antibiotic resistance. Urine samples (145) were collected from male and female patients from Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. Biochemical analyses were carried out to identify uropathogens. Molecular analysis for the identification of 16S ribosomal RNA in samples was performed via Sanger sequencing. Evolutionary linkage was determined using Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis-7 (MEGA-7). The study observed significant growth in 52% of the samples (83/145). Gram-negative bacteria were identified in 85.5% of samples, while Gram-positive bacteria were reported in 14.5%. The UTI prevalence was 67.5% in females and 32.5% in males. The most prevalent uropathogenic bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae (39.7%, 33/83), followed by Escherichia coli (27.7%, 23/83), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.8%, 9/83), Staphylococcus aureus (9.6%, 8/83), Proteus mirabilis (7.2%, 6/83) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (4.8%, 4/83). Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the neighbor-joining method, further confirming the relation of the isolates in our study with previously reported uropathogenic isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility tests identified K. pneumonia as being sensitive to imipenem (100%) and fosfomycin (78.7%) and resistant to cefuroxime (100%) and ciprofloxacin (94%). Similarly, E. coli showed high susceptibility to imipenem (100%), fosfomycin (78.2%) and nitrofurantoin (78.2%), and resistance to ciprofloxacin (100%) and cefuroxime (100%). Imipenem was identified as the most effective antibiotic, while cefuroxime and ciprofloxacin were the least. The phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that K. pneumoniae, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and P. mirabilis clustered with each other and the reference sequences, indicating high similarity (based on 16S rRNA sequencing). It can be concluded that genetically varied uropathogenic organisms are commonly present within the KP population. Our findings demonstrate the need to optimize antibiotic use in treating UTIs and the prevention of antibiotic resistance in the KP population.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), an endocrine syndrome characterized by high blood glucose levels due to abrogated insulin activity. The existing treatments for DM have side effects and varying degrees of efficacy. Therefore, it is paramount that novel approaches be developed to enhance the management of DM. Therapeutic plants have been accredited as having comparatively high efficacy with fewer adverse effects. The current study aims to elucidate the phytochemical profile, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-diabetic effects of methanolic extract D. salicifolia (leaves) in Alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Alloxan was injected intraperitoneally (150 mg kg^-1, b.w), to induced diabetes in mice. The mice were divided into three groups (n=10). Group 1 (normal control) received normal food and purified water, Group II (diabetic control) received regular feed and clean water and group III (diabetic treated) received a methanolic extract of the plant (300 mg kg^-1) for 28 days with a typical diet and clean water throughout the experiment. Blood samples were collected to checked serum glucose and concentration of LDL, TC, TG. The extract demonstrated significant antihyperglycemic activity (P<0.05), whereas improvements in mice's body weight and lipid profiles were observed after treatment with the extract. This study establishes that the extract has high efficacy with comparatively less toxicity that can be used for DM management.

Background: Achyranthes bidentata Blume (Abb) is a renowned medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine. The molecular mechanism associated with the anti-diabetic potential of Abb is yet to be determined. In this study, we elucidated the in vivo and in vitro anti-diabetic potential of the methanolic leaf extract of Abb (Abb-ME) in alloxan-induced diabetic mice and HepG2 cells. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis was performed to identify the metabolites in the Abb-ME. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced in mice using alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg). Diabetic parameters (blood glucose, body weight, lipid profile, hematological indices, histopathological changes) were observed post Abb-ME administration. The in vitro study included glucose uptake assay and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis of glucose transporters 2 (GLUT2) gene expression in HepG2 cells. Results: Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids (44.89 ± 3.9 mg/g extract), carbohydrates, proteins, phenols (60.3 ± 1.2 mg/g extract), and steroids. The results showed that the Abb-ME treatment group (500 mg/kg) exhibited significant (p < 0.05) reductions in blood glucose levels compared to the diabetic control and Glibenclamide group. Other diabetic parameters, such as body weights and lipid profiles, were significantly improved (p < 0.05) in the Abb-ME treated group (500 mg/kg) compared to the diabetic control mice. The altered hematological indices, including packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), Red Blood Cell (RBC), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Total White Blood Cell (TWBC), and White Blood Cell (WBC) differentials, observed in the diabetic control group were normalized after Abb-ME administration. These findings revealed that Abb-ME treatment effectively resolved several aberrant hematological indices associated with diabetes. Histopathological analysis of mice pancreas confirmed increased acini cell density, β-cell counts, and clear border formations between the endocrine and exocrine regions following Abb-ME treatment. In vitro studies showed significant (p < 0.05) glucose uptake (169.6%, 100 μg/mL) in HepG2 cells following Abb-ME treatment compared to the control (100%). GLUT2 gene expression was increased (1.28-fold) following Abb-ME treatment relative to the control. Conclusions: Our data suggest that Abb-ME possesses antidiabetic potential, providing a basis for further studies and applications.

Drug-resistant epilepsy affects 20-30% of children, where early and effective intervention is critical for reducing seizure frequency and neurodevelopmental outcomes, yet it remains a major therapeutic challenge. Pharmacotherapy often fails, and surgery or vagus nerve stimulation is not universally feasible. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a non-invasive neuromodulation strategy that modulates cortical excitability with magnetic pulses. In pediatric populations, rTMS may not only reduce seizure frequency and electrographic abnormalities but also support developmental domains, with adverse effects typically being mild and transient (e.g., scalp discomfort, headache). Beyond seizure reduction, reports describe improvements in cognition, behavior, and quality of life that are particularly relevant for children’s learning and psychosocial development. Mechanistically, rTMS likely acts through two complementary pathways: (i) desynchronization of abnormal cortical oscillations and (ii) modulation of synaptic efficacy via long-term potentiation and long-term depression like plasticity. TMS also has diagnostic and presurgical uses via motor-evoked potentials, paired-pulse paradigms, and TMS-electroencephalography biomarkers, providing clinicians with tools that can inform individualized treatment planning in young patients. However, evidence is heterogeneous, reflecting differences in age, epilepsy subtype, and stimulation parameters, alongside small sample sizes and protocol variability. Concerns specific to pediatrics including the long-term neurodevelopmental safety of repeated stimulation during critical brain maturation remain insufficiently characterized. Practical barriers such as access, cost, and clinician familiarity further limit adoption. This review synthesizes current pediatric rTMS evidence, identifies methodological gaps, and outlines priorities for child-focused trial designs and longitudinal safety monitoring. Advances in neuronavigation, closed-loop stimulation, and artificial intelligence-guided dosing tailored to pediatric neurophysiology could transform epilepsy care by improving precision and individualization for children. rTMS is therefore best positioned as a promising adjunct for carefully selected pediatric patients, delivered within ethically approved, multidisciplinary research settings.