In this study, magnetic iron oxide (Fe2O4) nanoparticles with an inverse spinel structure were synthesized via the co-precipitation method under both thermal and hydrothermal conditions using Fe (II) and Fe (III) chlorides as precursors. The effects of parameters such as temperature and solvent type were investigated. Sodium hydroxide, were used as alkaline agents to adjust the pH during synthesis. To prevent nanoparticle agglomeration and improve size distribution, surface modification was performed using vinyl triethoxy silane (VTES). The morphology and structure of the synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the functional groups, while magnetic properties were analyzed by vibrating sample magnetometry. Subsequently, radical polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) was carried out on the modified Fe2O4 surface to form a magnetic polymer nanocomposite. The obtained nanocomposite was employed for amoxicillin drug loading under various drug-to-carrier ratios. The results indicate that the synthesized GMA/DMAEMA magnetic nanocomposites possess excellent drug-loading capability, appropriate magnetic response, and promising potential for application as an efficient targeted drug delivery system. The results of invitro release demonstrate that Poly(DMAEMA-GMA)-VTES-coated Fe2O4 nanoparticles exhibit a biphasic release profile with an initial burst followed by sustained, diffusion-controlled amoxicillin release, highlighting their suitability for prolonged drug delivery.

Current regulatory neurotoxicity guidelines do not include behavioral endpoints that capture stress-related responses. Zebrafish larvae prior to independent feeding offer a promising vertebrate model for developing new approach methodologies (NAMs) because they combine neurobiological relevance with high-throughput potential. In this study, we developed and evaluated a larval thigmotaxis assay to detect behavioral alterations induced by neuroactive substances.

Acquired hemophilia A is a rare, potentially life-threatening bleeding disorder caused by autoantibody inhibitors to coagulation factor VIII. We report the case of an 87-year-old female who presented with symptomatic bleeding and was subsequently diagnosed with acquired hemophilia A. Her clinical course, treatment, and recovery are described. Notably, her recent medication history included ixekizumab, an immunotherapy agent used for an underlying autoimmune condition, and a course of antibiotics, complicating the identification of a definitive etiology. This case raises the possibility of ixekizumab as a potential novel pharmacologic trigger for AHA. We highlight challenges in establishing causality and review current literature on hematologic manifestations of drug-induced autoimmunity, with a focus on biologic immunotherapies.

Multidrug-resistant bacterial diseases pose an increasing hazard to worldwide public health. These bacteria reduce the effectiveness of traditional medicines, resulting in recurring infections, longer hospital stays, higher medical expenses, and higher death rates. Nanomedicine integrates nanotechnology with disease management and represents a promising direction in modern healthcare. In this study, manganese oxide-magnesium oxide bimetallic nanoparticles (MnO-MgO BNPs) were mycosynthesized using Aspergillus niger PQ269689.1 extract, where fungal metabolites acted as natural reducing and stabilizing agents. Several analytical techniques were applied for characterization and compositional analysis of the obtained MnO-MgO BNPs. The UV-vis spectroscopy confirmed BNPs' formation with a characteristic absorption band around 300 nm, while FTIR analysis verified functional groups involved in stabilization. Also, EDX analysis revealed Mn- and Mg-rich compositions, and TEM/SEM imaging showed angular, flake-like crystalline structures with sizes ranging from 10 to 85 nm. Additionally, XRD patterns confirmed the crystalline phases of MnO and MgO. Biological evaluation demonstrated selective, dose-dependent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells (IC₅₀ = 96.09 µg/mL). The biosynthesized MnO-MgO BNPs demonstrated remarkable broad-spectrum antibacterial effectiveness, with the largest inhibition zone against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (25.67 ± 0.57 mm) and a percent inhibition of 106.96% when compared to ciprofloxacin. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) varied from 32 to 256 µg/mL, with Staphylococcus saprophyticus ATCC 35552 having the lowest MIC₅₀ of 11.56 µg/mL, according to a quantitative analysis. The BNPs mainly showed a bactericidal effect when tested against most uropathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 25668 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Additionally, significant biofilm clearance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (67.97 ± 0.29%) and outstanding antibiofilm properties were noted, particularly against Proteus mirabilis ATCC 29906 (92.04% inhibition at sub-MIC levels). Checkerboard studies showed a high synergistic interaction with amoxicillin against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 with a fractional inhibitory concentration index of 0.375, significantly reducing the required dosage of both medications. These findings highlight the multifunctional therapeutic potential of mycosynthesized MnO-MgO BNPs for biomedical applications.

Antibiotic shortages are increasing worldwide. Their impact on individual health and bacterial ecology is unknown, but it could be significant, and there is a lack of epidemiological evidence. Here, we assess the impact of beta-lactam shortage management on pneumococcal resistance and the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). We developed a mechanistic model of S. pneumoniae paediatric colonization and transmission, accounting for beta-lactam and macrolide exposure. We explored the effects of four antibiotic allocation strategies following a one-year beta-lactam shortage: lowering consumption frequency, shortening treatment duration, reducing the daily dose, or substituting beta-lactams with macrolides. These strategies were analyzed in different European pharmaco-epidemiological settings. We found heterogeneous impacts of allocation strategies, amplified at high shortage intensity. The adverse outcomes of shortages increased with baseline antibiotic consumption and the main determinants of the optimal strategy were the initial prevalence of resistance. Reducing beta-lactam frequency most effectively limited resistance, lowering penicillin-non-susceptible and multidrug-resistant strains by up to 21% in Spain during a 50% shortage. The optimal strategy for minimizing IPD incidence was country-dependent: either lowering the daily dose or beta-lactam-to-macrolide substitution. However, the latter significantly increased macrolide resistance, reaching up to 26.2% in Denmark, for a 50% shortage. Our results show that public health priorities and country-specific pharmaco-epidemiological factors should guide antibiotic management strategies during antimicrobial shortages.

Helicobacter pylori infection remains a major global health concern, with rising antibiotic resistance posing significant challenges to eradication efforts. The search for novel, effective regimens is particularly important in regions with high resistance rates to standard agents. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of nitazoxanide-based quadruple therapies incorporating either levofloxacin or moxifloxacin. In this randomized, multicenter trial, treatment-naïve patients with confirmed H. pylori infection received standard triple therapy with amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole (ACL), levofloxacin-nitazoxanide-doxycycline-lansoprazole (LNDL) or moxifloxacin-nitazoxanide-doxycycline-lansoprazole (MNDL) for 14 days. Eradication was assessed by stool antigen testing. Rates were analyzed using intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) methods. ITT eradication rates were 82.3% for the LNDL regimen, 71.8% for the MNDL regimen, and only 59.2% for the ACL regimen. Eradication with LNDL was were significantly higher than with ACL. PP analysis showed eradication rates of 87.2% for LNDL and 81.6% for MNDL, both significantly higher than ACL (60.9%). All regimens were well tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported. Fluoroquinolone-containing nitazoxanide-based quadruple regimens demonstrated superior eradication of H. pylori compared to clarithromycin-based triple therapy in treatment-naïve Egyptian patients. Although eradication rates did not reach the optimal threshold, these regimens represent practical alternatives when conventional regimens are not feasible.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05184491 registered on 11-01-2022.