Search Results (124)

Background/Objectives: Infectious endophthalmitis is a vision-threatening complication of intraocular surgery and intravitreal injections. Standard treatment involves intravitreal antibiotics; however, concerns regarding multidrug resistance and vancomycin-associated hemorrhagic occlusive retinal vasculitis (HORV) highlight the need for alternative antimicrobial strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a protocol combining intravitreal injection of 1.25% povidone-iodine (PI) with intraoperative irrigation using low concentrations of vancomycin and ceftazidime. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 11 eyes from patients diagnosed with postoperative or injection-related endophthalmitis. Six of the eleven cases received an initial intravitreal injection of 1.25% PI, followed by pars plana vitrectomy with irrigation using balanced salt solution PLUS containing vancomycin (20 μg/mL) and ceftazidime (40 μg/mL). A second intravitreal PI injection was administered at the end of surgery in all cases. Additional PI injections were administered postoperatively based on clinical response. Clinical outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), microbial culture results, corneal endothelial cell density, and visual field testing. Results: All eyes achieved complete infection resolution without recurrence. The mean BCVA improved significantly from 2.18 logMAR at baseline to 0.296 logMAR at final follow-up (p < 0.001). No adverse events were observed on specular microscopy or visual field assessment. The protocol was well tolerated, and repeated PI injections showed no signs of ocular toxicity. Conclusions: This combination protocol provides a safe and effective treatment strategy for infectious endophthalmitis. It enables rapid and complete infection resolution while minimizing the risks associated with intravitreal antibiotics. These findings support further investigation of this protocol as a practical and globally accessible alternative to standard intravitreal antimicrobial therapy. Full article

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a leading preventable cause of neurocognitive impairment. Its incidence appears to be rising in several countries. We analysed 27 years of newborn-screening data (1997–2023) from the largest Chilean screening centre, covering 3,225,216 newborns (51.1% of national births), to characterise temporal trends and potential drivers of CH incidence. Annual CH incidence was modelled with Prais–Winsten regression to correct for first-order autocorrelation; additional models assessed trends in gestational age, sex, biochemical markers, and aetiological subtypes. We identified 1550 CH cases, giving a mean incidence of 4.9 per 10,000 live births and a significant yearly increase of 0.067 per 10,000 (95 % CI 0.037–0.098; p < 0.001). Mild cases (confirmation TSH < 20 mU/L) rose (+0.89 percentage points per year; p = 0.002). The program’s recall was low (0.05%). Over time, screening and diagnostic TSH values declined, total and free T4 concentrations rose, gestational age at diagnosis fell, and a shift from thyroid ectopy toward hypoplasia emerged; no regional differences were detected. The sustained increase in CH incidence, alongside falling TSH thresholds and growing detection of in situ glands, suggests enhanced recognition of milder disease. Ongoing surveillance should integrate environmental, iodine-nutrition, and genetic factors to clarify the causes of this trend. Full article

Depression affects approximately 280 million people worldwide and is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly among young people. Despite numerous studies on the pathogenesis of this disorder, many factors remain unclear. New data in the literature suggest that proper concentrations of essential macro- and micronutrients play an important role in maintaining mental health and that disturbances in the metabolism of mineral compounds may contribute to the development and progression of depressive disorders. Numerous clinical and epidemiological studies have shown that low concentrations of these elements are associated with impaired neurotransmitter activity, increased exposure to oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation, all of which may contribute to the onset or exacerbation of depression. Additionally, some macro- and micronutrients may contribute to metabolic and hormonal disorders, thereby exacerbating their impact on mood regulation. A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed database covering the period from 2020 to 2025 yielded relevant human studies on calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, and iodine in relation to depression, which were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. This review summarizes the effects of calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, and iodine on supporting prevention, slowing progression, and helping treatment of depression. Understanding the impact of proper nutrition, including ensuring optimal concentrations of minerals, can help develop dietary strategies or proper supplementation of macronutrients and micronutrients aimed at preventing and improving the functioning of patients with depression. Full article

Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) are perennial herbaceous flowers with high ornamental and medicinal value. Currently, the breeding of new daylily cultivars was mainly achieved through hybrid breeding, but issues such as self-incompatibility, hybridization barriers, and asynchronous reproductive phenology severely hinder the breeding process. Understanding pollen viability was essential for daylily breeding and cultivar improvement. In this study, we systematically investigated the effects of pollen viability determination methods, collection time, medium combinations, culture temperature and storage conditions on the pollen germination characteristics of daylily, using five daylily cultivars introduced in the Zhanjiang region of China as materials. Comparing the Iodine-potassium iodide (I₂-KI) staining and Acetocarmine staining, the results of 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium Chloride (TTC) staining showed a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) with the in vitro germination rate, which is suitable for the rapid detection of daylily pollen vigor. The daylily variation of pollen vigor was significant in different cultivars, and most cultivars had the highest vigor at 9:00–12:00 a.m., which was suitable for artificial pollination. The in vitro germination experiment showed that sucrose concentration was the key factor for daylily pollen germination and pollen tube growth, and the optimal medium for pollen in vitro germination was 50 g/L⁻¹ sucrose + 0.1 g/L⁻¹ H₃BO₃ + 0.06 g/L⁻¹ KNO₃ + 0.2 g/L⁻¹ Ca(NO₃)₂. The temperature experiment showed that the optimum temperature for pollen germination was 24.1–26.7 °C, and the optimum range for pollen tube growth was 24.1–25.7 °C, and the high temperature significantly inhibited the elongation rate of pollen tube. Storage experiments showed that low temperature (−40 °C) combined with drying treatment could significantly prolong pollen life, and the “Water Dragon” variety still maintained 41.29% vigor after 60 days of dry storage. This study provides theoretical basis and technical support for the introduction and domestication of daylily in South China, hybridization and garden application. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lactating mothers have increased nutritional requirements, but nutritional adequacy is difficult to achieve. Additionally, human milk (HM) composition depends on maternal diet. However, the nutritional intake and status of mothers with hospitalized very preterm infants (MHVPIs) (<32 weeks of gestational age) have rarely been assessed. Hence, the aim of the present study was to determine the intake of macronutrients, micronutrients, and lipids, as well as the nutritional status of MHVPIs. The results were compared with a group of HM donors (HMDs), and associations with HM composition were evaluated using multiple linear regression. Methods: For dietary assessment, a 5-day dietary record including supplement intake was completed by 15 MHVPIs and 110 HMDs. Vitamins and fatty acids (FA) were determined in plasma and erythrocytes; minerals and methylmalonic acid were determined in urine; and macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and the lipid profile were determined in HM. Results: Considering dietary reference intakes, the dietary evaluation of MHVPIs revealed a high percentage of inadequate nutrient intake in relation to total energy, as well as for iodine and vitamins B8, B9, C, D, and E. A high protein intake was observed. The percentage of energy from carbohydrates was low, whereas the percentage of energy from fat was high. However, the diet of MHVPIs did not differ substantially from the diet of HMDs. Associations were observed between the study groups (MHVPI vs. HMD) and the HM concentration of protein, several micronutrients, and fatty acids independent from intake and status. Conclusions: Deficient nutrient intakes did not appear to be exclusively related to MHVPI but rather seemed to be widespread in both study groups. However, for preterm infants, an insufficient supply of nutrients is critical and should be addressed in order to improve preterm infant’s outcomes. Furthermore, we provided additional insights into the exploration of HM by relating its composition to prematurity. Full article

Background: This study aimed to evaluate whether low-concentration iodine contrast-enhanced multiphase low-monoenergetic computed tomography (LCLM CT; 270 mg I/mL, 40 keV) is non-inferior to standard-dose computed tomography (SDCT; 350 mg I/mL) in image quality and lesion detectability for chronic liver disease patients. Methods: Sixty-seven patients underwent both protocols. Image quality was assessed using a 5-point scale with a non-inferiority margin of −0.5. Quantitative metrics included signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Lesion detectability was evaluated using jackknife free-response receiver operating characteristic (JAFROC) analysis with a −0.1 margin. Results: LCLM CT reduced iodine dose per kilogram by 21.9%. Despite higher image noise, it achieved higher CNR for the aorta and hepatic lesions, as well as superior hepatic artery clarity. Image quality was non-inferior (difference: −0.119; 95% CI: −0.192 to −0.047), and lesion detectability (FOM: 0.744 vs. 0.721; difference: 0.023; 95% CI: −0.170 to 0.218) also showed non-inferiority. Conclusions: LCLM CT maintains diagnostic performance and improves vascular contrast while reducing iodine burden, supporting its clinical utility in longitudinal HCC surveillance. Full article

Staphylococcus aureus is a mastitis pathogen that compromises cow health and causes significant economic losses in the dairy industry. High antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation by S. aureus limit the efficacy of conventional treatments. This study evaluated the potential of polyhexamethylene biguanide nanoparticles (PHMB NPs) against mastitis-causing S. aureus. PHMB NPs showed low toxicity to bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T cells) at concentrations up to four times higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration (1 µg/mL) against S. aureus. In Experiment 1, PHMB NPs significantly reduced biofilm formation by S. aureus by 50% at concentrations ≥1 µg/mL, though they showed limited efficacy against preformed biofilms. In Experiment 2, using an excised teat model, PHMB NPs reduced S. aureus concentrations by 37.57% compared to conventional disinfectants (chlorhexidine gluconate, povidone–iodine, and sodium dichloroisocyanurate), though limited by short contact time. These findings highlight the potential of PHMB NPs for the control of S. aureus growth and biofilm formation. Full article

Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) has seen steady progress since its inception, becoming a key player in the non-invasive assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD). Advancements in CT technology, including iterative and deep-learning-based reconstruction, wide-area detectors, and dual-source systems, have helped mitigate early limitations, such as high radiation doses, motion artifacts, high iodine load, and non-diagnostic image quality. However, the adjustments between ionizing radiation and iodinated contrast material (CM) volumes remain a critical concern, especially due to the increasing use of CCTA in various indications. This review explores the balance between radiation and CM volumes, emphasizing patient-specific protocol optimization to improve diagnostic accuracy while minimizing risks. Radiation dose reduction strategies, such as low tube voltage protocols, prospective ECG-gating, and modern reconstruction algorithms, have significantly decreased radiation exposure, with some studies achieving sub-millisievert doses. Similarly, CM volume optimization, including adjustments in strategies for calculating CM volume, iodine concentration, and flow protocols, plays a role in managing risks such as contrast-associated acute kidney injury, particularly in patients with renal impairment. Emerging technologies, such as photon-counting CT and deep-learning reconstruction, promise further improvements in dose efficiency and image quality. This review summarizes current evidence, highlights the benefits and limitations of dose control approaches, and provides practical recommendations for practitioners. By tailoring protocols to patient characteristics, such as age, renal function, and body habitus, clinicians can achieve an optimal trade-off between diagnostic accuracy and patient safety, ensuring optimal operation of CT systems in clinical practice. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to test the extra-thyroidal impacts of maternal serum iodine concentrations (SICs) on metabolic factors and subsequent pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Single pregnant women aged 18–49 years were recruited during their first prenatal visits. SICs at first trimester (T1) were tested by ICP-MS. Metabolic factors [body mass index (BMI), fat %, glucose, lipids, uric acid, and blood pressure] were measured, and composite indices [the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index, TyG-BMI, and the Framingham steatosis index (FSI)] were estimated. Obstetric and birth outcomes were retrieved from the hospital information system, including gestational diabetes (GDM), gestational hypertension (GH), fetal distress, postpartum hemorrhage, premature rupture of membrane, small and large for gestational age (SGA and LGA), preterm birth, and low birth weight. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were applied to explore the associations between maternal SIC, metabolic factors, and pregnancy outcomes. Results: A total of 1456 mothers were included for analysis. Maternal LgSIC values at T1 were inversely associated with early gestational weight gain (β = −0.113, p < 0.001) and BMI at T1 (β = −0.070, p = 0.006), but they were positively associated with triglycerides (β = 0.142, p < 0.001), the TyG index (β = 0.137, p < 0.001), and uric acid (β = 0.060, p = 0.018). However, upon further adjustment for thyroid hormones, the associations were attenuated. The joint effects of high SIC and metabolic conditions (hyperlipidemia, high FSI, and GH) suggested increased adverse pregnancy outcomes (increased postpartum bleeding, reduced birth length, and reduced delivery weeks). Conclusions: Our prospective data in the iodine replete region indicated that high SICs at T1 were associated with increased risk of metabolic conditions and adverse birth outcomes, with the associations being independent of thyroid hormones. Full article

Background: Pregnancy simulates a metabolic syndrome-like state and predisposes to iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism through increased iodine renal loss and transplacental transfer to the fetus. Iodine deficiency is thought to predispose to dyslipidemia through elevation of serum TSH. Obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypothyroidism are established risk factors of preeclampsia. Hence, pregnant women with iodine deficiency are likely to be at increased risk of dyslipidemia and preeclampsia. We investigated the pattern of dyslipidemia among preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women with and without iodine deficiency. Methods: The pathophysiological mechanisms linking iodine deficiency and dyslipidemia were delineated using bivariate correlations, logistic regression, and exploratory factor analysis of anthropometric, lipid profile, urine iodine concentration (UIC), and thyroid function data from 240 women with preeclampsia and 120 normotensive pregnant controls at term who attended Lomo Medical Centre, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Results: Preeclamptic women with iodine deficiency had significantly lower HDL-C but higher triglyceride levels than those with sufficient iodine intake. Both normotensive and preeclamptic participants with elevated TSH had high serum oxidized LDL-C but low NO, p < 0.001. Conclusions: SCH, secondary to iodine deficiency, is associated with elevated serum oxidized LDL and decreased Nitric Oxide (NO) among both normotensive and preeclamptic women, while insufficient iodine nutrition among preeclamptic women predisposes to reduced HDL-C and increased serum Triglycerides, which are risk factors of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Full article

Background and Objectives: Several micro- and macro-nutrient malnutrition states that are routinely assessed during clinical care of women in the antenatal period have been proposed as risk factors for preeclampsia. However, there is a paucity of data on the potential use of these biomarkers for detection of preeclampsia. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the association of biomarkers from routine clinical tests, and those specific to micro- and macro-nutrient malnutrition, with the risk of preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: Venous blood samples of 250 participants with preeclampsia and 150 pregnant women without preeclampsia were collected and assayed immediately for the full blood count, urea and electrolytes, high-density cholesterol (HDL), total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OxLDL), and selenium, in addition to urine iodine concentration (UIC). Results: The serum potassium/magnesium ratio (K⁺/Mg²⁺), UIC, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), lymphocyte percentage (L/WBC%), and the oxidized LDL/albumin ratio (OxLDL/Alb) were identified as independent predictors of preeclampsia. Conclusions: Serum potassium/magnesium ratio and other analytes essential for various biological processes, some of which are assayed during routine care, were significantly associated with preeclampsia, warranting further exploration as potential screening biomarkers in low-resource settings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cm-p5 and its cyclic monomeric and dimeric analogues are known for their antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and antibiofilm activities. Previously, our cyclization method produced a mixture of peptides that were difficult to separate, which was then improved by a selective synthesis of the parallel dimer and its differentiation from the antiparallel by comparison of the retention times in RP-HPLC. Methods: Here, we developed a more reliable identification method for the Cm-p5 dimer identification, which included chymotrypsin proteolytic digestion and sequencing of the different fragments by ESI-MSMS. We also improved our cyclization methods to specifically produce higher amounts of the desired cyclic variant, either cyclic monomer or dimer. Results: We show that liquid phase oxidation with 20% DMSO or iodine oxidation yields only the cyclic analogue. However, the on-resin oxidation with iodine showed greater efficacy and efficiency. Additionally, liquid phase cyclization yields the antiparallel dimer in high EtOH or peptide concentration, indicating a kinetic control. On the other hand, the parallel dimer was preferentially produced in 5% of TFE and low peptide concentration without the formation of the cyclic analogue indicating a thermodynamic control. Conclusions: In conclusion, we report that chymotryptic digestion combined with ESI-MS and MS/MS allows an unambiguous differentiation of Cm-p5 dimers. Here, we develop more selective and efficient methods for the synthesis of cyclic and dimeric analogues of Cm-p5. Full article

Background/Objectives: In chronic kidney disease (CKD), poor nutrition is associated with poorer clinical outcomes. There are limited data on milder stages of childhood CKD. Methods: This study characterised the nutritional state of a cohort of children with CKD. Results: Within the cohort (mean age 10.5 years, mean eGFR = 57 mL/min/1.73 m²), obesity defined by body mass index rates was comparable to that in the general population, but central obesity (waist-to-height ratio > 0.5) was evident in 44% of children. Although average nutrient intakes for the cohort were acceptable, there was marked variability in the risk of poor nutrient intake (<LRNI): selenium (35%), magnesium (35%), iodine (30%), and zinc (30%). No child met the recommended dietary fibre intake. The prevalence of frank deficiency of vitamins and minerals in blood concentrations was low. Blood concentrations of vitamins A and E were near-universally elevated. In those who had a decline in kidney function at the 12-month follow-up, dietary intake of fibre correlated with the degree of decline. Conclusions: Much work is needed to optimise the nutritional status of children with CKD as an important modifiable risk factor for disease progression and other important outcomes. Full article

Iodine, being an important resource, must be recovered and reused. Iodine is not only attracted to the hydrophobic silicone membrane but also easily vaporized. In this study, we explored the use of five types of silicone hollow fiber membrane modules (SFMMs) for separating iodine in the gaseous phase. In the SFMM, iodine gas and the recovery solution (sodium sulfite and sodium carbonate at a concentration of 10 mM each) were flowed outside and inside the silicone hollow fiber, respectively, in a co-current-flow manner. At an iodine gas flow rate of 0.2 L/min (8.4 × 10⁻³ mmol-I₂/L), the capture efficiency of iodine into the SFMM was approximately 100% for all five SFMMs. With increasing feed gas flow rates, the capture efficiency of iodine decreased, reducing to approximately 50% at 0.8 L/min. However, the recovery efficiency of iodine in the recovery solution was 60–30% at 0.2–0.8 L/min. This decrease in capture efficiency with increasing flow rates was because iodine could not spread and diffuse successfully in the SFMM, resulting in a low recovery efficiency of iodine. Thus, we next improved the structure of the SFMM by placing a perforated pipe in the center of the module. The perforated pipe effectively directs the iodine feed gas from the holes in the pipe to the hollow fiber membrane bundle wrapped around the pipe. With the improved SFMM, the capture efficiency markedly increased to approximately 100% in the range of the flow rates tested in our experiments. The recovery efficiency also increased to ≥70%. These data illustrate the potential application of the improved SFMM for recovering iodine in the gaseous phase. Full article

The presence of pharmaceutical compounds, including iodinated contrast media (ICM), in aquatic systems poses significant ecological and health risks due to their biological activity at low concentrations. This study investigated the removal efficiency of three selected ICM—diatrizoate, iohexol, and iodipamide—from synthetic hospital wastewater using anaerobic membrane bioreactors (MBRs) operated at varying sludge ages of 40, 70, and 100 days. The results indicated that the performance of the MBRs in removing organic compounds improved with increased sludge age. Diatrizoate exhibited the highest removal efficiency, achieving 72% at a sludge age of 40 days and nearly 90% at 70 and 100 days, with no substantial differences between the two higher sludge ages. In contrast, iohexol and iodipamide demonstrated relatively low and inconsistent removal efficiencies, reaching a maximum of 40%, with no observable dependency on sludge age. The findings underscore the importance of optimizing sludge age in biological treatment processes for effective ICM removal. Full article