Pharmaceutical micropollutants are persistent contaminants of aquatic systems, with a global survey of 258 rivers across 74 countries detecting pharmaceutical residues on every continent and 25% of sampling sites exceeding safe ecological thresholds. Conventional wastewater treatment provides incomplete removal, necessitating intensified technologies. This review critically evaluates hybrid photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), focusing on PEC coupled with peroxymonosulfate (PMS), peroxydisulfate (PDS), H2O2, electro-Fenton, ozonation, and biological processes. Reported hybrid systems achieved pharmaceutical removal efficiencies of approximately 75-100%. Representative PEC/PMS systems attained 98% sulfamethoxazole removal within 90 min, 100% norfloxacin removal within 25 min, and 91.3% tetracycline removal within 30 min. PEC/PDS enhanced bisphenol A degradation from 65.0% to 85.9% within 60 min, while optimized PDS-assisted treatment produced substantially faster degradation kinetics. In PEC/H2O2 systems, 95% tetracycline removal was achieved within 90 min, whereas electrogenerated H2O2 increased the phenol degradation rate constant from 0.136 to 2.568 h[-1]. Ozone-assisted PEC achieved 96% cefadroxil removal and 57.6% TOC reduction, while a pilot-scale solar photoelectro-Fenton/ozone process achieved 60% pharmaceutical degradation and 41% COD removal in a four-drug mixture. Bio-PEC hybrids demonstrated 95-99.04% pharmaceutical removal and up to 93% lower energy consumption. These improvements arise from enhanced charge separation and coordinated generation of ˙OH, SO4˙[-], O2˙[-], and [1]O2. Nevertheless, catalyst deactivation, oxidant consumption, mass-transfer limitations, incomplete mineralization, transformation-product toxicity, and energy demand remain critical barriers. Overall, hybrid PEC-AOPs offer highly tunable platforms for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment, but standardized energy, toxicity, mineralization, and long-term stability assessments under real-water conditions are required for practical scale-up.

Polyurethane (PU) hydrogels have been conventionally synthesized using the polyaddition of toxic polyisocyanates with polyols in organic solvents or in bulk, then swelling them in water. In this research work, a previously reported fructose-derived polyhydroxyurethane /poly(sodium acrylate) hydrogel synthesized through a catalyst-free non-isocyanate aqueous route was investigated as a smart pH-responsive platform for the delivery of cefadroxil, a broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic. The novelty of this work lies in the first evaluation of the multifunctional application of a biobased PHU hydrogel for controlled antibiotic delivery, extending its previously reported environmental application to the biomedical domain. The hydrogel exhibited pronounced pH-responsive swelling behaviour, reaching 524.5% swelling at pH 7.4 compared to 54.6% at pH 1.2 after 24 h. Cefadroxil encapsulation efficiency was determined to be 63.7%. Drug release was significantly enhanced at pH 7.4 due to increased ionization of carboxylate groups within the hydrogel network, resulting in increased electrostatic repulsion, network expansion, and accelerated diffusion of the drug. Structural characterisation by FTIR, PXRD, SEM, and TGA confirmed successful hydrogel formation and drug incorporation. Cytocompatibility studies using L929 fibroplast cells demonstrated the non-toxic nature of the hydrogel. The controlled drug release behavior of drug loaded hydrogel followed the Fickian mechanism of diffusion (R[2] = 0.9909 at pH 7.4) as suggested by the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. These findings underscore the potential of PHU hydrogels as effective, biocompatible materials for controlled, pH-sensitive drug delivery, contributing to safer and more efficient biomedical applications.

Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) is one of several foodborne pathogens that continue to threaten the safety of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, including fermented foods. A few studies have identified the presence of enterotoxigenic gene-encoding B. cereus in several southwestern states of Nigeria. However, Osun State remains the only southwestern state without data on the potential presence of enterotoxigenic gene-encoding B. cereus. In this study, a preliminary investigation was carried out using a convenience sampling method at three highly patronized locations (Shasha, Orisumbare, and Oja-Oba) of RTE fermented foods in Osogbo, Nigeria. Thirty-two samples comprising six varieties of RTE fermented foods (pap, iru, gari, fufu, kunu, and soy wara) were collected and analyzed for Bacillus species. Recovered Bacillus species were subjected to hemolysis test. Hemolytic Bacillus species were screened for enterotoxin gene operons (nheABC and hblACD) and antibiotic susceptibility. A total of 33 Bacillus species were recovered from the RTE fermented foods, among which four showed hemolytic properties. Furthermore, PCR screening showed three Bacillus isolates encoding nhe genes, and two encoding both nhe and hbl genes. 16 S rRNA nucleotide sequencing identified the three isolates as B. cereus. The three B. cereus isolates were resistant to β-lactam antibiotics (penicillin, cefadroxil, cefoxitin, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid), trimethoprim, and fusidic acid; however, they were susceptible to gentamicin, linezolid, and chloramphenicol, and had a multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of 0.64. This study identified the presence of enterotoxigenic genes in B. cereus recovered from RTE fermented foods sold in Osogbo, Nigeria, a potential food safety risk that requires in-depth surveillance.

This study evaluates a synergistic treatment combining coagulation-flocculation with a UV254 photo-assisted electrochemical advanced oxidation process (AOP) producing HOCl-[•]OH for domestic wastewater collected from the influent of a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Mexico, and fortified with ciprofloxacin (CIP), cefadroxil (CFX), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), and carbamazepine (CBZ) at 20 mg L[-1] each. Coagulation/flocculation with a coagulant/biopolymer at a 1:1 ratio achieved substantial primary removal efficiencies (80.64% turbidity, 73% Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and 82.08% Total Organic Carbon (TOC)), with removal mechanisms strongly influenced by pharmaceutical speciation. Subsequent UV254 photo-assisted electrochemical treatment in a filter-press FM01-LC reactor equipped with a Ti/RuO2-ZrO2-Sb2O3 anode enabled active chlorine electrogeneration and photolytic radical formation. Standalone photolysis, and pure electrocatalysis (77.76% TOC elimination) resulted in negligible mineralization, confirming the necessity of the hybrid method. Optimal degradation and mineralization (99.19% turbidity, 98.36% COD, 95.65% TOC) was achieved at 30 mA cm[-2], 0.2 M NaCl, 1 L min[-1], and pH 4.5 (1 h) in the fortified municipal wastewater; while a TOC decrease of 94.60% was achieved in the untreated sewage influent without fortification. These results demonstrate that pH control is more critical than increasing current density, as predominance of HOCl induces UV homolysis into highly reactive [•]OH and Cl[•] radicals. Active species trapping tests confirmed the dominant role of [•]OH in contaminant mineralization, while energy consumption remained low (0.04-0.05 kWh m[-3]), indicating competitive operational performance. Complete elimination of total coliforms was achieved; while Daphnia magna bioassays revealed null toxicity at shorter treatment times than 0.5 h. Overall, this hybrid process demonstrates high mineralization efficiency for municipal wastewater conditions while identifying operational constraints relevant for pilot-scale implementation.

Optimal cephalexin and cefadroxil dosing for skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) is unclear. We summarize clinical and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) data that compare dosing strategies for SSTIs. Additionally, we conduct population PK target attainment simulations for varying doses of cephalexin and cefadroxil for Staphylococcus aureus and Group A Streptococcus. Although some clinical data support lower doses in mild SSTIs, higher doses optimize PK/PD parameters in moderate-severe SSTIs, especially due to Staphylococcus aureus. Further prospective clinical and PK/PD studies, especially in obese adults, would be beneficial.

A male in his 70s with a remote history of a left total knee arthroplasty presented with acute left knee pain and swelling. He was a farmer with significant exposure to domestic and feral swine. CT of the knee showed a large complex left knee effusion and knee aspiration was concerning for infection. He underwent a debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) surgical procedure. Synovial fluid and operative cultures ultimately yielded Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, likely acquired from his animal exposures. He completed six weeks of intravenous daptomycin, followed by oral cefadroxil to complete a total of six months of antimicrobial therapy from the time of surgery. He had an excellent functional outcome with no recurrent infection at two years.

Urothelial carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm of the urinary tract arising from the transitional epithelium. Its clinical manifestations often overlap with non-neoplastic conditions, such as urinary tract infections, thereby presenting a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Differentiating from others condition is important, as the treatment and prognoses vary significantly. This case report presented a 4-year-old female local dog, weighing 11.55 kg in BVC Animal Hospital with a primary complaint of hematuria. Clinical, hematological, and serum biochemical evaluations revealed no significant abnormalities. Ultrasonographic (USG) examination identified a hypoechoic mass measuring 0.31×0.85 cm located within the lumen and thickening of urinary bladder wall. Cytological assessment was performed via urine catheterization. The cytological specimen demonstrated a population of cells with anisocytosis, anisokaryosis, and a high nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio, raising suspicion of a malignant tumor. Consequently, biopsy was performed via cystotomy to establish a definitive diagnosis. Prior to release the histopathological results, post-cystotomy the dog was treated with cefadroxil as antibiotics at 20 mg/kg BW b.i.d for 14 days, carprofen as anti-inflammatory at 2 mg/kg BW s.i.d. for 5 days, and tramadol as analgesics at 2 mg/kg BW b.i.d. for 5 days. Histopathological examination showed a non-encapsulated tumor with well-defined demarcation in the mucosa. The tumor consists of a dense population of epithelial tumor cells without evidence of invasion, confirmed the diagnosis of non-invasive, non-papillary urothelial carcinoma (in situ). The patient was managed palliatively with the administration of piroxicam at 0.3 mg/kg BW s.i.d as monotherapy. Until day 190, the dog showing a stable disease. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first documented case of canine urothelial carcinoma in Indonesi.

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), a key species in China's freshwater aquaculture, faces hindered industrial development due to overwintering mortality disease outbreaks. A Gram-negative bacterial strain, designated Hbh25210, was isolated from overwintering mortality-diseased grass carp in a Hubei Province farm. It was identified as Flavobacterium psychrophilum by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, showing 100% homology to reference strains in GenBank. The strain can be successfully cultured at 15 °C within 3 to 5 days. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) classified it as ST-51 (CC-ST56), while serotyping assigned it to the 0 type, indicating phylogenetic affinity to Japanese cyprinid isolates. Artificial infection experiments confirmed its pathogenicity: muscle injection resulted in 15-75% mortality in grass carp, with clinical symptoms consistent with natural infections. Histopathological changes included hepatic necrosis, splenic congestion, glomerular swelling, and muscle fiber dissolution; intestinal lesions were particularly prominent in infected fish. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of diseased tissues showed Flavobacterium psychrophilum constituted over 60% of the microbial community in most ulcerative lesions samples and reached as high as 98.8% in certain cases. Strain Hbh25210 exhibited high-level resistance to multiple antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, cefadroxil, neomycin, florfenicol, sulfamethoxazole, doxycycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and flumequine. Conversely, it was relatively sensitive to enrofloxacin, gentamicin, and amikacin. Quantitative PCR showed the bacterial load in muscle remained the highest, followed by the intestine and spleen, which peaked at 96 h post-injection. In conclusion, this study indicates that Flavobacterium psychrophilum is an important pathogen associated with overwintering mortality syndrome in grass carp. Our research findings can provide a basis for the effective prevention and control of overwintering mortality syndrome in major freshwater fish species.

BACKGROUND Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), also known as vacuum-assisted closure, is a treatment method that uses sub-atmospheric pressure applied to the wound and its surrounding tissues to support healing. NPWT is widely used across various medical fields, particularly in the management of acute and chronic wounds, where it facilitates wound contraction, reduces edema, and enhances granulation tissue formation while improving local perfusion and reducing bacterial burden within the wound bed. This report describes the case of a 30-year-old woman with a lactational breast abscess managed with adjunctive NPWT. CASE REPORT A 30-year-old lactating woman presented with pain and warmth in the right breast following a core needle biopsy. Ultrasonography revealed persistent hypoechoic fluid collection in the medial upper quadrant of the breast, while microbiological culture showed no bacterial growth. Despite initial needle aspiration and empirical antibiotic therapy with cefadroxil, symptoms persisted. The patient underwent ultrasound-guided abscess drainage, followed by the application of NPWT with continuous sub-atmospheric pressure. The treatment led to progressive regression of the abscess, as confirmed by ultrasound. A temporary milk fistula developed at the site of the dressing incision but resolved with local wound care. Throughout the treatment period, the patient continued breastfeeding and followed wound care instructions. Complete healing was achieved after a few weeks, with no signs of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS This case suggests that NPWT may be a safe and effective therapeutic option for managing lactational breast abscesses, especially in cases resistant to standard treatments. In this patient, NPWT did not interfere with ongoing lactation and breastfeeding.