A current study investigated the effects of smoking (Cigarettes and Water-pipes) on the lung and cardiac ventricles by comparing the cytotoxic effects of smoking with certain natural antioxidants. 56 male albino rats were randomly assigned to 7 groups (N = 8 per group). Group 1 was a negative control that was exposed to fresh air; Group 2 was a positive group exposed to the most popular cigarette brands in the Jordanian market (red LM cigarettes) for 30 consecutive days, one cigarette per rat. Groups 3 and 4 were exposed to a cigarette smoking treatment with one of the natural antioxidants (vitamin C, Ammi Visnagia seed extract, respectively). Rats in group 5 were exposed to flavored water-pipe smoke resulting from the complete burning of 20 g from one coastal for 30 days, one session a day, and groups 6–7 were exposed to cigarette smoking with treatment with one of the selected natural antioxidants (Ascorbic acid vitamin C, Ammi Visnagia seed extract). According to immunohistochemistry investigations, smoking exposure has been linked to negative tissue consequences. Both types of smoking models induced the expression of the p53 protein in heart and lung tissues. However, p53 was mildly expressed in the heart and considerably in the lung. In conclusion, investigations were conducted on the impact of smoking on different levels, such as histological changes in the trachea, lung, and heart ventricle, as well as its influence on the expression of the p53 protein. The administration of Ammi Visnaga seed extract and Ascorbic acid exhibited protective effects against the detrimental effects of smoking through all the aforementioned methods.

Antibiotic resistance is considered a widespread problem with global health implications, leading to increased patient morbidity and impacting the selection of effective antibiotics, consequently influencing patient recovery. This study aimed to assess antibiogram resistance patterns of bacterial records at the Islamic Hospital in Jordan using a retrospective study during the period 2020-2022. A total of 9369 samples obtained from different patients were cultured. Data were processed and analyzed with SPSS v.23.0. The results showed that 2841 (30.3%) samples were positive for bacterial infections. Microbial profiles of positive samples indicated the highest proportion for Escherichia coli, 39%, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 12% were the most frequent Gram-negative bacterial isolates, whereas Staphylococcus aureus 13% and Streptococcus pneumoniae 4% were the most common Gram-positive bacterial isolates. Interestingly, multidrug-resistant bacteria comprised 61.7% of the isolates. The percentage of multi-drug resistance in isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was 68.7%, 73.1%, and 72%, respectively. Escherichia coli was most resistant to ampicillin (89%) and most sensitive to imipenem (100%). Klebsiella pneumoniae showed a 100% sensitivity to meropenem but 49% resistance to ceftriaxone. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most sensitive to amikacin and colistin (86% and 100%, respectively). Staphylococcus aureus isolates have resistance rates of 78% for ciprofloxacin, 35.6% for clindamycin and an overall resistance rate of 68.7%. These findings indicate multiple resistance for isolated bacteria. Therefore, antimicrobial resistance should be monitored continuously, and patients should be treated based on anti-microbial susceptibility tests.

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is linked to poor progression and a high mortality rate. It is classified and evaluated using the standard Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). In addition, serum biomarkers, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), procalcitonin (PCT), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), may facilitate accurate TBI severity evaluation, thereby assisting in its prognosis and clinical outcome.Methods: This study included 20 patients with TBI aged ≥18 years who were admitted within 12 h of injury to the intensive care unit (ICU). Serum samples for assessing VEGF, TNF-α, and PCT concentrations were acquired at admission 0 h, 24 h, and 72 h and analyzed by ELISA.Results: Serum concentrations of VEGF, TNF-α, and PCT (p < 0.0001) were significantly elevated at all time intervals in patients with TBI than in the control group (healthy individuals). Compared to the admission (0 h) time point, VEGF concentrations exhibited no significant differences among different time points, whereas TNF-α concentrations had increased significantly (p < 0.001) at 24 h. PCT concentrations exhibited a continuous elevation through time points, peaking at 72 h (p < 0.01). The highest diagnostic performance for PCT was noted at 72 h, with an AUC of 0.834 (p < 0.004). In addition, PCT and VEGF showed a significant negative correlation at 24 h, indicating potential opposing roles in trauma response.Conclusion: Serum PCT concentrations can be utilized to track the progression of TBI because of a continuous increase in its concentration with time.

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is emerging as a global public health concern due to its nature of spread. There are limited treatment options, as the sole drug for treatment is lacking, highlighting the need for new therapeutic options. The use of computer-aided drugs discovery such as molecular docking, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and post-simulation analysis are important tools in identifying potential compounds that can target specific proteins of the virus, such as DNA polymerase to stop virus replication. This study employed molecular docking and molecular simulation with the aim to identify potential inhibitors for MPXV treatment from the ZINC Database. Molecular docking was performed using PyRx 0.8 version after virtual screening of the ZINC database using the Tranches tool; then, toxicity prediction of the selected compounds was performed using the ProTox-3.0 web server. Molecular dynamics simulation was conducted using GROMACS version 4.5 to evaluate the structural stability and dynamic behavior of the protein–ligand complex for the best interacting compound. Furthermore, post-simulation analysis was conducted using standard GROMACS utilities for visualizing time-dependent properties from MD simulations. A total of 16 compounds were shortlisted based on their molecular docking scores and interaction profiles with the monkeypox virus DNA polymerase (PDB ID: 8HG1). The leading compound, ZINC000019418450, demonstrated strong binding affinity (−7.4 kcal/mol). According to post-simulation analysis, all top compounds formed between one and five hydrogen bonds and up to eleven hydrophobic contacts with residues within the active site, thus providing strong geometric and energetic evidence for binding stability. Notably, our identification of ZINC000104288636 as a Class 6 compound with an LD₅₀ of 23,000 mg/kg adds translational value by highlighting candidates with low predicted acute toxicity. Overall, this study lays a solid foundation for the rational design of next-generation monkeypox antiviral therapeutics. Future work is needed for experimental validation of prioritized compounds to assess their biochemical efficacy and pharmacological potential.

Background and Aim: Pneumonic mannheimiosis (PM) is a common respiratory bacterial disease among small ruminants. Despite numerous management methods, vaccination remains a suitable strategy to combat or reduce PM in goats and sheep. Thus, a study was conducted in Malaysia to evaluate the immunogenicity of exopolysaccharide-adjuvanted Mannheimia haemolytica A2 vaccine (EPS-MHA2) under laboratory and field conditions for its potential use as an efficient vaccine against PM. Materials and Methods: This study induced immunoglobulin (Ig) responses following intramuscular (IM) delivery of the EPS-MHA2 vaccine on 12 goats for about 7 months. Goats were divided into three groups, with three goats per group, and they were vaccinated intramuscularly as follows: Group 1 was vaccinated with an adjuvanted vaccine prepared from formalin-killed M. haemolytica serotypes A2 and EPS excipient; Group 2 was vaccinated with formalin-killed M. haemolytica seed only, whereas Group 3 was injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as the negative control. Measures of specific immunity included serum IgM, IgG, and IgA as well as bronchoalveolar lavage fluid secretory IgA and the size and number of the bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT). Results: From the 1st day of vaccination, Groups 1 and 2 showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum IgM, IgG, and IgA levels. However, the antibodies started to decline 5-week post-vaccination, indicating that the booster dose was necessary. On the second exposure to the same vaccine (booster), the level of antibodies showed a significant increase (p < 0.05), particularly IgG. All groups were challenged intratracheally by virulent MHA2 2 weeks after the decline of second antibodies on the administration of booster. All goats were euthanatized and necropsied 4-week post-challenge. The number and size of the BALT in Group 1 goats significantly increased compared with those in Group 2 and the unvaccinated control. Bacteriological parameters were evaluated, in which MHA2 was reisolated successfully from lung samples in Group 3. The IgA level produced by the group vaccinated with EPS-MHA2 was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that the MHA2 vaccine and PBS groups. All data obtained were analyzed statistically using a one-way analysis of variance. The results indicate that IM injection of EPS-MHA2 vaccine significantly enhanced the immune response against MHA2. Conclusion: Therefore, the addition of EPS to MHA2 (EPS-MHA2 vaccine) can effectively protect goats from lethal mannheimiosis infection. Factors such as the ideal concentration of EPS should be further studied to verify its application potential as a vaccine adjuvant, and the extraction of EPS from different microalgae species should be further investigated. This study showed a novel and exciting set of data and a vaccination system, in which the suppressive effects of mannheimiosis may be further investigated.

Escherichia coli is the most prevalent bacterium causing Urinary Tract Infections (UTI). The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of E. coli organisms causing UTIs in Thaiban region at Madaba city and to assess their pattern of antibiotic resistance. The study was conducted from January to December 2023 on 295 adult patients with urinary tract infections who were either inpatients or outpatients. Their ages ranged from 40 to 98. All the urine samples by the hospital and in accordance with the accepted procedures, significant bacteriuria received, and susceptibility tests analyzed. From 295 urine samples taken from UTI patients, 157 (53%) were female and 138 (47%) were male; 52 (18%) of the 295 samples had positive urine cultures. E. coli was the most common bacteria among the isolated pathogens 36 (69%) followed by Klebsiella 6 (11.5%), Proteus 6 (11.5%), Pseudomonas 2 (3.8%), and Enterobacteria 2 (3.8%). The highest resistance rate (61.7%) found against amoxicillin (10 μg) while the lowest resistance rate (5.5%) was against imipenem (10 μg). In conclusion, E. coli was the most prevalent isolated bacterium, and the most effective antibiotic for it was imipenem.