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Even though kidney stones seem to be one of the oldest disorders recognized by medicine, the exact processes by which they form and grow remain unknown. Significant progress has been achieved in our understanding of the pathophysiology of ten different types of stones, including the most common type, the idiopathic calcium oxalate stone former, thanks to the new digital endoscope and extensive renal physiological studies conducted on well-phenotyped stone formers. Based on our findings and those of others studying model systems, four distinct mechanisms for kidney stone formation have been proposed. It appears that the main way stones are formed in patients with hypercalciuria is by calcium oxalate crystals growing over Randall's plaque sites. In most stone phenotypes, overgrowths of the extremities of Bellini duct plugs have been observed; do these overgrowths lead to clinical stones? The cystinuric stone formers' microlith production appears to be limited to the lumens of their dilated inner medullary collecting ducts. Finally, it is suggested that cystinuric stone formers create their stones in free solution in the presence of several small, oval, smooth-looking calyceal stones that appear yellow. This article reviews the scientific evidence for these four different types of stone production and uses it to propose new areas of study. Moreover, it provided information on the pathology of kidneys, especially the different types of stone formation, mechanisms, complications, and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichinella spiralis is a parasitic nematode transmitted through the consumption of contaminated meat. The study aims to provide comprehensive information on various aspects of trichinellosis, including its manifestations, conventional treatment methods, and emerging antitrichinellosis strategies using nanoparticles is a promising approach to overcoming the challenges posed by conventional trichinellosis treatments. The infection begins when a host ingests meat containing infective larvae of T. spiralis. The adult worms release newborn larvae (NBL) that enter the bloodstream. These NBL invade striated skeletal muscle cells and establish nurse cell-parasite complexes within the muscle tissue. Trichinella causes a public health impact and economic costs related to pig husbandry and food safety. As the prevalence of trichinellosis remains a concern, continued research, surveillance, and public awareness efforts are essential to mitigate the impact of this parasitic infection on human health and the food industry. Pursuing new and effective treatments for trichinellosis remains imperative, and ongoing research efforts are exploring innovative strategies to address the limitations of existing drugs and enhance their therapeutic outcomes. Several studies highlight the potential of specific antigens for developing vaccines that could offer protective immunity against T. spiralis infection, providing valuable insights for future research in parasitology and vaccine development. In conclusion, the integration of nanotechnology and nanoparticles holds promise for revolutionizing drug delivery systems, improving therapeutic outcomes, and offering novel approaches to treat various diseases, including parasitic infections like trichinellosis. Ongoing research in this field is likely to unveil more innovative applications and solutions in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We investigated the antimicrobial and anticancer properties of an ethanol crude extract of Red Sea brown alga (Hormophysa cuneiformis) from Egypt. Methods: Extraction was achieved by mixing 100 g of sample powder with absolute ethanol, incubating at 37 °C overnight in a shaking incubator, and then collecting the extract. The extract's antimicrobial activity was tested using a well diffusion assay against the tested pathogens (Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans) in comparison to commercial antibiotics. Anticancer activity was assessed using MTT assay on MCF-7, HepG-2, and HEP-2 cell lines. The anticancer mechanism of action against the HepG-2 cell line was investigated using cell cycle analysis, Annexin V, and antioxidant enzymes, in addition to transmission electron microscopy. Results: GC-MS phytoconstituent profile of the extract was dominant with fatty acids. A broad antimicrobial effect against all the pathogenic isolates of E. coli, S. aureus, B. subtitles, and C. albicans was demonstrated, especially at the high concentration in comparison to commercial antibiotics. The extract could inhibit the growth of the tested cell lines. We observed the most significant effect on HepG-2 cells, and the concentration of the extract played a role in the level of inhibition (IC50 of 44.6 ± 0.6 μg/ml). The extract had negligible effects on Vero normal cell lines at the lower concentration, with slight toxicity (90.8% viability) at the highest concentration (500 μg/ml). At this same concentration, the extract caused 80-92% inhibition of the cancer cell lines. The extract appears to have demonstrated promising effects on cancer cells. It induces programmed cell death (apoptosis), arrests the cell cycle, and affects the oxidative/antioxidant balance within the cells, potentially leading to the suppression or elimination of cancer cells. These findings are encouraging and may have implications for cancer treatment or further research in this area. More action of extract was seen against bacteria than fungi, with a wide antibacterial impact against all of the tested isolates, notably at the high concentration in comparison to conventional antibiotics. Conclusion: According to the findings, H. cuneiformis may be a valuable source of chemicals that are both antimicrobial and anticancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the role of land snails as the monitor for heavy metal pollution and to determine the species-specific accumulation of metals in Eobania vermiculata and Monacha obstructa. A field survey of heavy metals was carried out in two different areas in Ismailia city, Egypt. The study was conducted to evaluate the essential and non-essential heavy metals in the tissue of land snails and compared them with their levels in shell and soil to find out which can accumulate more biotic or abiotic?. The heavy metals concentrations of essential and non-essential heavy metals of soft tissues of two snail species and sediment collected from Ring Road, Ismailia, in Egypt had the highest levels of heavy metals as compared to another site in most seasons except in spring season levels of essential (Cu, Mn, Zn, Co, Mo, Ca and Mg) and non-essential metals (Cd, Pb, Al, and B) were higher in El-Balah Road than Ring Road. Therefore, El Balah Road was less polluted as compared with Ring Road which was more crowded with cars. The ranges of essential metals in samples of the soft tissue of E. vermiculata along with the two sites, Ring Road and El Balah Road, were higher for Ca and Mg than other essential metals. However, Al as a non-essential metal in soft tissue samples of E. vermiculata for the two sites was the most common metal. Moreover, the levels of the same metals were elevated in M. obstructa along with the two sites. The results indicated that E. vermiculata and M. obstructa soft tissues do not reflect the environmental bioavailability of heavy metals as the shells do. Therefore, the shells of E. vermiculata and M. obstructa could be considered as a more useful bioindicator for Co, Cu, Mn, Zn, Mo, Ca, Mg, and Pb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial light near rivers and lakes can have a substantial impact on aquatic species, especially freshwater snails, in terms of behavioral and physiological parameters. The extent to which this alternation may occur is unknown, particularly if this snail serves as an intermediate host for the parasite Schistosoma mansoni. As a result, the goal of this study is to see how light from high-pressure sodium (HPS) and light-emitting diode (LED) lights interact with Schistosoma mansoni infection in Bimophalaria alexandrina snails. The survival rate of infected snails and the mean number of cercariae/snails exposed to HPS was significantly higher than those exposed to LED. The investigation revealed that infected snails were more active and traveled longer distances at a higher speed post the 4th week of the exposure to LED light. Results of biochemical parameters showed a highly significant elevation in malondialdehyde (MDA) activity postexposure to LED, while a highly significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was recorded after exposure to HSP. The histopathological examination of infected snails exposed to LED showed highly affected digestive tissue, degenerated sporocysts, and incomplete mature cercariae, while the infected snails exposed to HPS showed well-developed sporocysts and mature cercariae with differentiated heads and tails. Snails exposed to LED showed a highly significant decrease in serotonin levels compared to those exposed to HPS. Melatonin levels recorded significant differences between the exposed groups to LED and HPS. The current study recommends using artificial LED lighting around freshwater canals instead of HPS lighting, which could limit the transmission of schistosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]