Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a bioactive compound known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, and metabolic effects, with growing interest in its role in supporting bone health. Preclinical studies, particularly those involving the t10c12 isomer, have shown that CLA can enhance bone mineral density (BMD) by enhancing bone formation and reducing bone resorption, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent to improve bone health. However, clinical trials have yielded inconsistent results, underscoring the difficulty in translating animal model successes to human applications. A major challenge is CLA’s low water solubility, poor absorption, and limited bioavailability, which restrict its therapeutic effectiveness. To address these issues, nanoparticle-based delivery systems have been proposed to improve its solubility, stability, and resistance to oxidative damage, thereby enhancing its bioactivity. Recent studies also suggest that electrical stimulation can stimulate bone regeneration by promoting bone cell proliferation, differentiation, and adherence to scaffolds. This review explores the combined use of CLA supplementation and electrical stimulation as a novel approach to improving bone health, particularly in osteoporosis management. By integrating CLA’s biological effects with the regenerative potential of electrical stimulation, this multimodal strategy offers a promising method for enhancing bone restoration, with significant implications for clinical applications in bone health.

Laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs) are a significant occupational health hazard to laboratory workers, who can become infected by various pathogens handled as part of their work, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Data on LAI in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions are limited. To systematically review the reported LAIs in the MENA region to identify gaps in biosafety practices and identify the most common infectious agents contributing to them. The PubMed, Scopus, LAI, and Belgian Biosafety Server databases were searched from conception to October 2024 for any reports and cases of LAIs in the MENA region, following PRISMA guidelines. Using a systematic strategy, inclusion criteria were relevant studies reporting cases involving MENA laboratory workers. Non-laboratory cases or studies with insufficient data were excluded. Reported cases were analysed by infection type, risk factors, and laboratory practices. Of 2062 studies, 12 articles (24 cases) from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and UAE were considered eligible for inclusion. Twenty-four LAI cases were reported in the MENA region between 1968 and 2016. Brucella melitensis was the most frequently reported pathogen, reported in 66.7% of cases, highlighting a specific occupational risk in microbiology laboratories in the region. The review also identified gaps in data reporting, variability in laboratory biosafety practices, and a tendency towards underreporting. This review highlights the occupational health risks posed by LAIs in the MENA region, with Brucella spp. identified as the predominant pathogens in reported cases, and it also identifies gaps in biosafety practices.