Albendazole is a broad-spectrum anthelminthic extensively used in clinical settings and national deworming programs. It is the cornerstone of the preventive chemotherapy for soil-transmitted helminthiases prevalent in low-resource settings. The high proliferation of albendazole generic products, with poor post-market surveillance capacity in the low- and middle-income countries, poses dire risk of substandard and falsified medicines, which may predispose patients to treatment failures, adverse drug reactions, morbidity, and mortality, with consequent loss of public confidence in healthcare systems. This study aimed to determine the quality and pharmaceutical equivalence of albendazole 400 mg tablet brands marketed in Nairobi, Kenya. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on seven albendazole 400 mg tablet brands purchased from pharmacy outlets in Nairobi. Tests for identity, friability, hardness, disintegration, assay, uniformity of weight, and dissolution were conducted as specified in the United States, British and International Pharmacopoeias. Dissolution profiles of generic albendazole tablet brands and the innovator brand (Zentel) were compared using model independent fit factors f1 and f2, and the dissolution efficiency (DE). Data was captured and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2021, and reported as means, relative standard deviations, and percentages. All the seven albendazole 400 mg tablet brands complied with compendial specifications for identity, friability, hardness, assay, and uniformity of weight. However, two brands (EK5 and EK6) did not comply with the disintegration test and consequently demonstrated extremely poor dissolution, having released <6% of labelled albendazole content at 60 minutes with DE < 5%. Only two brands (EK4 and EK2) exhibited dissolution profiles that approximated the innovator brand (f2 > 50, f1 < 10) and could be used interchangeably, while the other two (EK3 and EK7) had intermediate drug release. While all tested albendazole 400 mg tablet brands complied with basic pharmacopoeial specifications for quality, dissolution testing revealed significant nonequivalence, with only three (42.86%) of the seven brands being pharmaceutically equivalent. Poor dissolution of majority (57.14%) of albendazole tablet brands portends therapeutic insufficiency and development of drug resistance, reinforcing the need for stringent post-market surveillance to safeguard public health.
In contemporary dental practice, implants are the standard solution for edentulism. However, the wide variety of implant brands and the prevalence of peri-implantitis present significant diagnostic hurdles for clinicians. This study evaluated an automated hybrid AI framework designed to simultaneously identify implant brands, determine clinical treatment stages, and classify peri-implant bone loss severity using periapical radiographs, aiming to address the efficiency limitations of existing single-function AI models. A dataset comprising 708 periapical radiographs with 3i and Xive implants was utilized. We employed a YOLOv8 model to localize implants and exclude background noise precisely. Subsequently, a custom implant segmentation algorithm and an automated alveolar crest detection method based on two-stage clustering were applied. EfficientNet-B3 served as the backbone for a multi-task classification of 12 composite classes, integrating implant brand, exposure status, and bone loss status. The YOLOv8 model demonstrated exceptional performance with 99.39% precision and 98.63% sensitivity. In the complex 12-class classification, the system achieved an overall accuracy of 97.42%, with specific categories such as Xive/Prothesis/Diseased achieving 98.28%. Clinical feasibility tests revealed the framework significantly outperformed manual expert evaluation, drastically reducing average assessment time from 15.5 to 0.16 s while elevating diagnostic accuracy from 90.73% to 97.38%. The proposed hybrid AI framework successfully consolidates brand identification, staging, and bone loss assessment into a unified, efficient workflow. By offering superior accuracy and speed, it serves as a reliable second opinion to support clinical decision-making and improve diagnostic consistency in dentistry.
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical advertising allocates billions annually in the United States; however, the analysis of conversations on social media about DTC drugs remains sparse. Twitter (subsequently rebranded X) is serving as a forum for pharmaceutical companies, their constituents, and social media health influencers to discuss topics related to DTC drugs with high advertising budgets. This study aims to examine user-generated topics discussed for the highest-budgeted DTC pharmaceutical drugs and to identify the agenda-setting themes and uses and gratifications that emerged. This social media listening study used Brandwatch to analyze Twitter conversations (August 2021-August 2023) surrounding top-budgeted DTC brands from 2020 to 2022. A dataset of 44,700 mentions from 26,800 unique authors was analyzed for content, sentiment, and thematic relevance using agenda-setting and uses and gratifications frameworks. Four dominant themes emerged: (1) patient experiences/testimonials, (2) drug pricing/insurance concerns, (3) pharmaceutical news, and (4) advertising commentary. The content shows a range of potentially agenda-setting topics, including pharmaceutical companies, their DTC drugs, patient experiences, costs, insurance, and advertising commentary. The uses and gratifications we found included information, entertainment, economic benefits, and social benefits, with information being the most prevalent. Our study provides an important glimpse into what is being discussed on Twitter by, with, and about pharmaceutical drugs that spend billions on advertising each year [1]. Although more tweets were neutral than positive or negative, the overall sentiment of the top terms was negative. The predominance of negative sentiment in our findings suggests that many social media users express apprehensions or criticisms about these drugs, highlighting the need for improved communication, transparency, and engagement strategies. Further implications are also discussed surrounding public policy and industry practice. Suggested future research directions include NodeXL network analysis and qualitative inquiry into user motivations.
Despite concerns regarding the potential health risks associated with EC use, their design, puff count, and e-liquid formulations have continued to evolve. Aldehydes are a key class of thermal degradation byproducts generated during the vaporization of EC fluids. This study tested the hypothesis that aldehyde concentrations would be elevated in used ECs with high puff numbers. Devices from multiple brands were analyzed to assess the impact of extended use on aldehyde formation. E-fluids were extracted from field-collected and user-donated devices and analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to quantify 178 flavor chemicals, two synthetic coolants, nicotine, solvents, and aldehydes (methylglyoxal (MGO), glyoxal (GO), formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, glyceraldehyde, dihydroxyacetone, propanal, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural). Pulmonary cells were exposed to MGO and acetaldehyde in submerged cultures and at the air-liquid interface, and their toxic effects were analyzed in multiple assays. E-fluid consumption averaged 77% in ElfBar, 58% in FLUM, and 42% in "Other Brands", with chemical profiles varying significantly across brands and collection groups. Total flavor chemical concentrations averaged 34 mg/mL ± 21.6 for ElfBar and 9.7 mg/mL ± 7.9 for FLUM, and these concentrations were significantly reduced in vaped fluids. MGO, GO, and formaldehyde concentrations increased significantly in vaped fluids, while acetaldehyde and acrolein both decreased. Glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone were detected only in vaped fluids and were generally elevated in ElfBar compared to FLUM products. MGO and acetaldehyde significantly disrupted the morphology of BEAS-2B cells and increased superoxide production in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings underscore the potential for increases in fluid aldehyde concentration with high-puff number ECs and raise concerns about the inhalation of cytotoxic byproducts generated during puffing. Regulatory policies should consider the influence of puff count on aldehyde generation.
To assess different lots and brands of sterile preservative-free dexamethasone sodium phosphate (dexamethasone SP) for evidence of bacterial contamination via culture-dependent and independent methods, and quantify endotoxin. Broadly, the objective is to further investigate potential causes for fibrin web (FW) development after canine cataract surgery. Five samples from two lots of three brands of dexamethasone SP (30 samples total) and reagent controls were collected. All samples underwent conventional aerobic and capnophilic bacterial culture, as well as kinetic chromogenic endotoxin quantification. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction, 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) sequencing, sequence analysis, and classification were performed on all samples. Statistical analysis assessed DNA concentration, α and β diversity, and sample biomarkers. Bacterial cultures were positive in 0/10 Auromedics, 1/10 Fresenius Kabi, and 4/10 Somerset Pharma LLC dexamethasone SP samples. The bacteria identified (Bacillus thuringiensis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus oralis) were likely present due to contaminants during plating. Endotoxin quantification was below the limit of detection of the assay (0.5 EU/mL). There were no statistically significant differences in α or β diversity between brands. Differential abundance testing found Lactococcus and Acetitomaculum as genus-level biomarkers for the Auromedics brand and Solobacterium for the Somerset brand of dexamethasone SP. The most common bacterial families recovered were Bacillaceae, Clostridiaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Lactobacillaceae, Muribaculaceae, Propionilbacteriaceae, Staphylococcaeae, and Xanthobacteraceae. There were no significant dexamethasone SP brand-specific differences. Endotoxin was below the limit of detection of the assay.
Fixed-dose combination (FDC) antibiotics are commonly used in animal health; however, their use faces increasing scrutiny due to concerns about unproven efficacy, inappropriate dosing, safety and limited regulatory oversight. We reviewed veterinary drug registries from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Zimbabwe, identifying 2339 registered products, of which 867 (37.1%) contained antibiotics. Among these, 238 (27.5%) were FDCs, representing 45 unique combinations - most commonly two-antibiotic formulations such as penicillin/dihydrostreptomycin, tylosin/doxycycline and trimethoprim/sulfadiazine. Most formulations (77.8%, n = 35) contained two antibiotics, while 15.5% and 6.7% contained three and four antibiotics, respectively. Nearly half of FDC brands (47.1%, 112/238) contained antibiotics from both the Caution and Prudence categories, while 39.5% (94/238) contained antibiotics from the Prudence category alone. Notably, 8.4% (20/238) of FDC brands contained colistin, with or without enrofloxacin, and 5% (12/238) included vitamin combinations. Some antimicrobial FDCs may be clinically justified, for example, by broadening spectrum or achieving pharmacological synergy, but many lack a clear therapeutic rationale, underscoring the need for an evidence-based regulatory review and clearer criteria for appropriate veterinary FDCs.
Mesh Integration (MINT) index was previously proposed and validated in the short term as a standardised objective method of evaluating in vivo hernia mesh behaviour. The primary aim was to validate the degradation domain of the mesh integration (MINT) index over a 1-year period using a porcine model, with the secondary aim of determining integration and fibrosis scores after extended implantation. Six brands of mesh were implanted into three Landrace-White pigs within the retrorectus space. Post-mortems were performed at 1 year. All mesh-tissue samples were subjected to standardised testing specified by MINT. Previous 3-month study conditions were fully replicated. Mesh was successfully implanted into all pigs, with an unremarkable 1-year natural history. There were no difficulties at post-mortem. Visually, all meshes were highly integrated. The 1-year degradation scores obtained were consistent with changes expected in absorbable meshes. Since study methodology, study conditions and mesh lot numbers were identical, the current study data were combined with the previous 3-month study for statistical analysis. Multi-level regression analysis with maximum likelihood was performed, and model diagnostics were conducted. Non-linear models achieved better fit to data than linear models, namely asymptotic for integration ( - 2 L L = 76.46 , R 2 = 0.971 , R M S E = 0.370 ), biexponential for fibrosis ( - 2 L L = 127.57 , R 2 = 0.941 , R M S E = 0.517 ) and logistic regression for degradation ( - 2 L L = 199.83 , R 2 = 0.984 , R M S E = 0.817 ). Rationale and limitations to interpretation of the study results were extensively discussed. The degradation domain of the MINT index has been validated at 1 year. The versatility of the MINT index platform could potentially be used to summarise existing literature evidence on in vivo mesh behaviour.
Elective tympanoplasty often uses supraglottic airway devices, such as the laryngeal mask airway (LMA), to ensure smooth emergence from anesthesia. However, LMA-associated postoperative sore throat (POST) remains prevalent. Lateral head rotation during surgery alters LMA intracuff pressure (CP), but the relationship between these pressure changes and POST remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the associations of LMA characteristics, anesthetic management, and position-induced dynamic CP variations with acute POST. This retrospective cohort study included 1,363 adult patients undergoing elective tympanoplasty with LMAs. The primary outcome was acute incident POST (visual analog scale [VAS] scores > 0) within 30 min after surgery, and the secondary outcome was POST severity (VAS scores of 0, 1-3, and ≥ 4). Multivariate regression models were used to analyze potential associations with POST. Spline, threshold, and interaction analyses were used to explore non-linear relationships and evaluate the modifying effects of anesthesia duration on CP changes. The overall incidence of acute POST was 39.6% (470 mild and 70 moderate-to-severe POST). Tuoren LMA (vs. Flexible LMA), multiple insertion attempts (≥ 3), and elevated baseline supine CP had strong associations with increased risk of incident POST. Non-linear associations with POST incidence were observed for anesthesia duration, position-induced absolute CP change, and relative CP change. Furthermore, anesthesia duration and absolute CP change showed a significant interaction (P = 0.037), with a minor position-induced CP change (-0.52 to 5.79 cmH₂O) associated with a higher risk of acute POST in procedures lasting ≥ 1.3 h (OR: 1.146, 95% CI: 1.041-1.261), but not in shorter surgeries. Similar results were also observed for POST severity, particularly mild POST. This study demonstrated that specific LMA brands, repeated insertions, and elevated baseline CP were significantly associated with acute POST in elective tympanoplasty, and found that a minor position-induced CP change was associated with increased POST risk when anesthesia duration was prolonged. Future prospective trials are warranted to explore the potential complex relationships between supine CP, position-induced CP changes, and anesthesia duration and to assess the clinical need for continuously regulating LMA cuff pressure after head rotation during prolonged otologic surgeries to optimize postoperative recovery.
Diclofenac sodium is a widely prescribed NSAID for inflammatory and rheumatoid diseases, and the dose adjustment, especially for elderly patients suffering from renal or hepatic impairment, is not a routine practice. In this study, a sensitive RP-HPLC bioanalytical method was developed and validated for quantifying diclofenac in human plasma. After quality assessment of different diclofenac sodium brands, a pharmacokinetic study was performed in 12 healthy human subjects and compared with predicted in silico PBPK models in healthy subjects and in patients with renal or hepatic impairment. The bioanalytical method demonstrated sensitivity and linearity from 20 to 3000 ng/mL, with 99.9% accuracy. Stability tests on plasma samples stored long term and subjected to freeze-thaw cycles showed considerable stability at -20°C. Pharmacokinetic parameters included Cmax, Tmax, AUC0-t and AUC0-∞. In silico PBPK modelling indicated that routine monitoring might not be necessary for patients with mild to moderate hepatic or renal impairment. However, significantly higher AUC0-t values were observed in severe cases, end-stage renal disease, cirrhosis B and cirrhosis C, suggesting a need for dose adjustments to mitigate dose-dependent toxicities. This study provides a comprehensive framework for generic manufacturers, regulatory agencies and clinicians for dose optimization, safety prediction and clinical decision support.
This study quantifies the short-term risk profiles of seven severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines-Comirnaty Bivalent BA.1, Comirnaty Bivalent BA.4-5, Comirnaty XBB.1.5, Spikevax Bivalent BA.1, Spikevax Bivalent BA.4-5, Spikevax XBB.1.5 and Nuvaxovid-administered as booster doses in Australia. This is a survey study using data collected from online surveys sent via AusVaxSafety, the Australian active vaccine safety surveillance system, 3 days post-vaccination, soliciting reports of adverse events following vaccination. Individuals 18 years and older who received a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine booster at an AusVaxSafety vaccine surveillance site between 1 January 2023 and 31 August 2024. Bayesian logistic regression was used to estimate risk of reported adverse events, seeking medical advice and impact on daily activities. Of 197,476 respondents, 59,089 (29.9%) reported at least one adverse event, of which the most commonly reported symptoms were injection site reaction (23.8% [46,988/197,476]) and fatigue (19.4% [38,352/197,476]). Symptom resolution was reported by 69.9% (41,299/59,089) by day 3 and 5.6% (11,006/197,476) reported any time lost from daily activities. The unadjusted proportion of respondents who sought medical advice was higher in those who received Spikevax XBB.1.5 (1.2% [212/17,551]) than the other vaccines (0.5% [379/69,493] to 0.7% [147/20,271]), but the modelled, adjusted mean risk of medical advice was similar (< 2.5%) across subgroups for vaccine brands, co-administered vaccines, medical conditions, age, sex and Indigenous status. The modelled risk of any adverse event at age 40 years ranged from 35.2% (95% credible interval [CrI], 32.2%-38.5%) for men who had received Comirnaty XBB.1.5 to 75.5% (95% CrI, 71.9%-78.8%) for women who had received Spikevax XBB.1.5. At age 80 years, this risk was lowest across all vaccines, ranging from 12.0% (95% CrI, 11.2%-13.0%) for men who had received Comirnaty BA4-5 to 36.7% (95% CrI, 34.6%-38.7%) for women who had received Spikevax XBB.1.5. The results of this study confirm the short-term safety and low impact on daily living of SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccine administration to Australian adults. The Known: SARS‐CoV‐2 booster vaccine uptake is suboptimal in recommended groups in Australia. The safety of these vaccines has largely been extrapolated from post‐marketing surveillance of ancestral strain formulations or limited trial data. The New: We provide short‐term safety and risk profiles of adverse events for SARS‐CoV‐2 boosters from active vaccine safety survey data in Australia. There was a low impact of booster vaccination on activities of daily life in the survey respondents. The Implications: This confirmation of the safety and low impact on normal activities following SARS‐CoV‐2 booster vaccination adds to available data on safety to encourage uptake.
The worldwide adoption of automatic milking systems (AMSs) has expanded, attracting growing interest from researchers. Although several reviews have already been carried out regarding the features of AMS in confined systems, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the literature on automated milking in pasture-based systems is still lacking. Therefore, this review set out to provide a bibliometric approach focused on pasture-based AMS to explore and map the extent of research in the scientific literature. Initially, a comprehensive search was carried out in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Then, a four-step PRISMA evaluation was applied on 235 identified articles, resulting in a final sample of 45 articles. Most studies were conducted in Europe (44%), in research herds (79%), involving Holstein-Friesian cows (76%), using automated milking from Lely (57%) and DeLaval brands (30%). White clover and perennial and annual ryegrass are the most commonly used pastures among the countries (87.5% vs. 75%). The main topics (33%) investigated over studies were milk production, composition and efficiency of AMS on pasture, followed by animal behaviour (27%), animal nutrition (16%), heat stress (9%), methane emissions (7%), health disorders (2%), economic viability (2%), somatic cell count and mastitis (2%) and energy consumption (2%). Concentrate allocation and heat stress were identified as emerging research areas that deserve greater attention in future studies. This study contributes to our understanding of scientific developments, trends and research gaps regarding pasture-based AMSs.
Despite India's status as a global pharmaceutical hub, skepticism regarding the quality of generic medicines persists among healthcare professionals and the public. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the pharmaceutical quality and cost-effectiveness of branded versus generic medicines to address these concerns and inform healthcare policy. In a cross-sectional analytical study, 131 samples of 22 essential medicines across 8 therapeutic categories were procured using convenience sampling from 7 diverse source categories of licensed retail outlets in Kerala, India, including government, private generic, and branded outlets. Samples underwent rigorous testing for description, dosage uniformity, dissolution, impurities, and assay content in an accredited laboratory according to Indian Pharmacopoeia 2022 standards. Cost-effectiveness was analysed using unit pricing and price ratios. All 131 samples (100%) met all pharmacopeial standards, demonstrating pharmaceutical equivalence across all quality parameters, regardless of whether they were generic, brand, or priced differently. Generic medicines were, on average, 48.6% cheaper than branded equivalents. The study revealed substantial price disparities, with the most expensive branded products costing up to 13.9 times as much as the lowest-priced generics. Government-run Jan Aushadhi outlets consistently offered the most affordable options across 81.8% of medicine categories tested in the study. The data confirm that low-cost government generic programs maintain rigorous quality control comparable to that of expensive private brands, highlighting a significant opportunity for cost savings in chronic disease management. Generic medicines tested in this study are pharmaceutically equivalent to their branded counterparts. Shifting to quality-assured generics, particularly through effective government retail schemes, will substantially reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure and improve treatment adherence without compromising therapeutic quality.
Uptake of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) by people with Type 1 diabetes is increasing. As well as real-time glucose metrics, CGM can estimate a HbA1c level from 2-weeks to 3-months of CGM data. Differences between laboratory-based and CGM-estimated HbA1c values, termed the glycation gap, can occur. Little knowledge exists about the glycation gap stability over time and of the correlates and determinants of the glycation gap. In our Australian tertiary-referral diabetes clinic we conducted a cross-sectional study of the glycation gap in 316 adults and a longitudinal study in 231 of these participants. We found frequent differences between laboratory and CGM-estimated HbA1c measures, with 64% of 316 adults having a glycation gap ≥0.3%. Whilst the glycation gap was stable over time in groups in 118/231 adults (51%) it changed by ≥0.3%. We also evaluated correlates of the glycation gap. The glycation gap correlated inversely with age, HbA1c and haematocrit and correlated positively with eGFR and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. The glycation gap differed between CGM brands, but not by insulin delivery modality. Further studies are merited to explore factors associated with larger and changing glycation gaps, as they are relevant to clinical practice.
As live streaming sales have become a significant model in e-commerce, a critical scientific question arises: how should the characteristics of anchor combinations be matched with product attributes to enhance consumers' purchase intention? Based on a 5 × 2 × 2 experimental design, this study investigates the interactive effects of anchor combination mode (single male, single female, male pair, female pair, mixed-gender pair), product type (search-based vs. experience-based), and the gender orientation of the target audience (male-oriented vs. female-oriented) on consumers' purchase intention. The study recruited 95 participants and employed a multi-dimensional quantitative approach combining eye-tracking technology with self-report scales. Metrics such as average pupil diameter, fixation duration, and total number of fixations were used to capture consumers' cognitive load and visual attention distribution during the decision-making process. Data analysis utilized repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), supplemented by post-hoc tests and simple effect analysis to reveal interactions and specific differences among variables. The results indicate a dual-pathway mechanism in live streaming consumption decisions: a Bottom-Up Pathway for processing product information and a Top-Down Pathway for social evaluation of the anchor. These two pathways show functional dissociation between eye-tracking metrics and behavioral intentions. This research provides empirical evidence and practical guidance for brands to precisely configure anchor combinations based on product attributes and to employ a "mixed-gender pairing" strategy to mitigate the risks associated with gender mismatch.
Fatty acid chlorohydrins are an emerging class of contaminants formed when hypochlorous acid reacts with unsaturated fatty acids during food processing. While their formation has been reported under high sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl; ≤200 mg/L as Cl2) disinfection of vegetables, much higher levels-≤ 60,000 mg/L of Cl2 or 6% NaOCl-are used to brighten shells. Monochlorohydrins of palmitoleic, oleic, and linoleic acids, along with dichlorohydrins of linoleic acid, were measured in walnuts, pistachios, and hazelnuts after NaOCl bleaching. Formation increased with oxidant dose and kernel accessibility, with the shells acting as partial mass-transfer barriers. Pistachios exhibited the highest total chlorohydrins (34.4 µg/g), followed by hazelnuts (6.0 µg/g) and walnuts (2.8 µg/g) at 1% NaOCl. Surface area greatly affected chlorohydrin production: pulverized and bleached walnut kernels generated 25-fold more chlorohydrins than in-shell kernels, with significant loss of fatty acids. Testing three commercial walnut brands revealed chlorohydrin levels comparable to those from 3% NaOCl treatments (∼6.0 µg/g), demonstrating the presence in consumer products. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell cytotoxicity assays showed the following LC50 order: palmitoleic monochlorohydrins (271 µM) > linoleic monochlorohydrins (340 µM) > linoleic dichlorohydrins (499 µM) >> 3-mono-chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD; 4780 µM), a European Union-regulated food processing contaminant (tolerable daily intake of 2 µg/kg body weight).Screening-level cytotoxicity equivalents indicated that chlorohydrin concentrations correspond to intake masses of 3.6-4.0 g relative to 3-MCPD limits and 6.6-7.3 g relative to drinking water contaminant benchmarks, both below a 30 g serving.
Filtration methods are widely used for microplastic (MP) isolation, yet filter membrane selection can introduce substantial bias into MP quantification. In this study, five types of membranes, classified as single-layer-hole [polycarbonate track-etched (PCTE)], multilayer-fiber [polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and glass fiber (GF)], and multilayer-hole [mixed cellulose esters (MCE) and nylon (NY)], were systematically compared for MP quantification. Particle abundance was quantified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-based visual counting on membranes. Polystyrene (PS) microspheres exhibited superior dispersion on single-layer-hole (PCTE) and multilayer-fiber (PTFE) membranes. However, partial particle embedding occurred in multilayer-fiber membranes (PTFE and GF), whereas pronounced aggregation occurred on multilayer-hole membranes (MCE and NY). Accordingly, PCTE exhibited the most stable quantification performance across PS concentrations and pH conditions, with RSD values of 3.05-17.68%. Application to bottled drinks further showed that PCTE improved the differentiation of particle abundance among brands. LDIR analysis indicated that the collected particles from bottled drinks consisted of both MPs, mainly polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polybutadiene rubber, and polyvinyl chloride, as well as non-MPs (54.50% - 81.29%). Overall, selection of appropriate membranes is critical for MP quantification, and single-layer-hole PCTE membranes are recommended for reliable visual counting and improved comparability across studies.
Listeria monocytogenes is a psychrotrophic pathogen of concern in dairy frozen products due to its ability to survive post-processing and grow under refrigeration. This study aimed to assess the occurrence, thermal resistance, and refrigerated growth potential of L. monocytogenes in commercial frozen dessert samples from São Paulo, Brazil, and to model the thermal inactivation kinetics in flavored ice cream mixes. A total of 100 samples (75 dairy-based and 25 water-based frozen desserts) from 12 brands and 88 flavors were analyzed according to ISO 11290-1:1996 (ISO, 2004). Isolates were characterized by PCR and PFGE. L. monocytogenes was confirmed in 3% of the samples, all of which were dairy-based and originated from a single brand. Fourteen serotype 1/2b confirmed isolates were assessed for growth at 4 °C and thermal resistance at 70 °C for 15 s and 90 s. Three representative strains, each from a distinct PFGE pulsotype, were selected to evaluate inactivation kinetics at 60, 65, and 70 °C in vanilla (pH 7.09; 36.7°Brix) and strawberry (pH 5.78; 35.5°Brix) ice cream mixes. Isolates exhibited greater phenotypic variability in thermal resistance (γ70 °C/15s ranging from 2.5 to 5.3 log CFU/g) than in refrigerated growth (δ4 °C/360 h = 4.3-4.7 log CFU/g). Inactivation curves were best described by first-order kinetics (R2 > 0.9). D-values decreased with increasing temperature, and greater thermal resistance was observed in vanilla ice cream mix. Estimated z-values were 6.7-6.8 °C for both matrices. The persistence of L. monocytogenes and the protective effect of the dairy dessert matrix highlight the pathogen's potential to survive sublethal processes and grow during cold storage. These findings underscore the need for matrix-specific validations and risk-based approaches in the processing of ready-to-eat dairy frozen desserts. The high phenotypic variability among isolates further supports the inclusion of strain diversity in predictive modeling for food safety assessments.
This study compares the feasibility of several chromatographic systems, including GC-MS/FID/μECD, GC-MS/MS, and LC-MS/MS for the forensic analysis of trace levels of organic gunshot residue (OGSR). Implementing new methods in forensic laboratories is a complex process fraught with challenges, but it is crucial for keeping pace with technological progress and enhancing the scientific reliability of the evidence. A major obstacle is the significant financial investment required for new equipment, validation, and personnel training. The techniques evaluated here are commonly available in fire debris, explosives, controlled substances, or toxicology units, making the transition to new OGSR services more manageable. This article provides practitioners and laboratory managers with practical recommendations for utilizing popular chromatographic methods for detecting OGSR at trace levels recovered from skin matrices. Figures of merit are reported for six different instrumental configurations for seven analytes of interest: nitroglycerin, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, diphenylamine, ethyl centralite, 2-nitrodiphenylamine, Akardite II, and 4-nitrodiphenylamine. The limits of detection range from 0.3 to 130 ppb, depending on the analyte and method used. Performance rates were calculated for datasets of 20 non-shooters and 20 shooter samples using various ammunition brands. GC-MS/μECD exhibited superior performance rates, with an average accuracy of 94%, comparable to that of LC-MS/MS. Final reconstitution with hexane improved results when using GC-MS compared with methanol. GC-MS/MS performance rates were slightly lower, with an average accuracy of 87%. These results suggest that adding a secondary detector (μECD) to a GC-MS would allow for a more accessible and sensitive approach to OGSR analysis.
The Portfolio Diet has demonstrated clinically meaningful reductions in LDL-C concentrations. Variations in ABCA1, ABCG8, APOA5, ANGPTL3, and APOC1 have also been associated with LDL-C and other blood lipid concentrations. The interaction between these genetic variations and the Portfolio Diet on LDL-C is unclear. Therefore, we examined whether variations in genes involved in lipid metabolism modify the association between the Portfolio Diet Score (PDS) and its components and LDL-C concentrations. This cross-sectional analysis included 1490 young adults (mean age, 23±2years) from the Toronto Nutrigenomics and Health Study. Adherence to the Portfolio Diet was measured by the PDS and its individual components. Using a candidate gene approach, participants were genotyped for SNPs in ABCA1 (rs1883025), ABCG8 (rs6544713), APOA5 (rs662799), ANGPTL3 (rs10889353) and APOC1 (rs4420638). Multiple linear regressions examined gene-diet interactions with LDL-C. Higher PDS, intake of plant protein, nuts, and phytosterols and lower intake of saturated fat and cholesterol sources were associated with lower LDL-C (p < 0.05). ABCA1 rs1883025 genotype modified the association between the PDS and LDL-C (p < 0.01). A 1-point higher PDS was associated with lower LDL-C among those with the ABCA1 rs1883025 CC (β: -0.017 mmol/L [95% CI: -0.027, -0.007], p < 0.01) and TT (-0.034 mmol/L [-0.065, -0.003], p = 0.03) genotypes. ABCG8 rs6544713 T allele was associated with higher LDL-C (p = 0.002). ABCG8 rs6544713 genotype modified the association between plant protein (p = 0.02) and phytosterols (p = 0.01) with LDL-C. A 1-serving higher intake of plant protein (-0.314 mmol/L [-0.601, -0.028], p = 0.03) and phytosterol (-0.051 mmol/L [-0.101, -0.002], p = 0.04) sources was associated with lower LDL-C among those with the ABCG8 rs6544713 TT genotype. In young adults, higher PDS and intake of its components showed favourable associations with LDL-C. Our findings suggest that ABCA1 rs1883025 and ABCG8 rs6544713 genotypes modify the association of the PDS, plant protein and phytosterols with LDL-C.
Instagram (Meta, Menlo Park, CA) has become an important tool for patient education, practice marketing, and professional branding within plastic surgery. As public interest in aesthetic surgery continues to rise alongside increasing surgeon engagement with visually driven social media, there is a growing need for a practical, ethically grounded framework to guide professional use of Instagram. This article provides a structured, evidence-informed approach to the effective and responsible use of Instagram by plastic surgeons. Key topics discussed include profile optimization, content development strategy, performance analytics, and mitigation of legal and ethical risk. Specific recommendations are provided for educational, marketing, and personal content, with emphasis on maintaining professionalism, transparency, and patient confidentiality. Considerations regarding content timing and posting frequency to optimize audience engagement are also reviewed. When applied strategically, Instagram can serve as a powerful tool for patient education, trust building, and practice growth, while simultaneously facilitating professional networking and knowledge dissemination within the field of plastic surgery.