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Numerous antibiotics are no longer effective against certain germs, rendering it harder to treat illnesses and inflicting unnecessary suffering and death on many individuals. This necessitates the introduction of new antibacterial agents to counteract bacterial antibiotic resistance. In a previous published work, new ciprofloxacin conjugates were synthesized by amidification and esterification of the ciprofloxacin core structure. The antibacterial activity of these new ciprofloxacin derivatives was evaluated by clinical and laboratory standard instruments. The Laboratory of Public Health/ Branch of Microbiology in Karbala evaluated their collected strains for each species. All compounds exhibited antibacterial properties, where the inhibition zones were measured and the values reported. Bacterial susceptibility to recently produced chemicals tended to be as follows: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Escherichia coli. The synthesized compounds had stronger antibacterial properties than the ciprofloxacin used as a starting point.

Nowadays, various factors enhance the resistance of some microbes to antibiotics. Irrational antibiotic use is considered an example of such factors. Therefore, the synthesis and reporting of heterocyclic compounds with multiple biological properties are of considerable value. Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic used to treat infections. New amidification and esterification derivatives of ciprofloxacin were synthesized. Their structure was identified and confirmed using both proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. With the employment of MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-terazoliumbromide) methods, in vitro anticancer activity was evaluated. The utilization of clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI) instructions was involved in the in vitro antimicrobial activity evaluation of the newly synthesized derivatives. In terms of anticancer activity, cell proliferation, viability, and IC50, as well as antimicrobial activities, IZD (Inhibition Zone Diameter), MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations), MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations), and MFC (Minimum Fungicidal Concentration) were measured and reported. The lowest cell proliferation and viability and IC50 for 2,3-dihydroxypropyl 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-7-(piperazin-1-yl)-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylate (compound 5) were observed to be 27.12% and 7.83 μg/mL. In antimicrobial activity, the lowest MIC for 2,3-dihydroxypropyl 7-(4-benzoylpiperazin-1-yl)-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylate (compound 6c) was observed to be 2 μg/mL (against Proteus mirabilis) and the lowest MIC for 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-7-(4-(4-(methylthio)benzoyl)piperazin-1-yl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (compound 3d) was observed to be 32 μg/mL (against Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus). The effects were compared with commercially available drugs, and it was observed that some derivatives have the same efficacy as abemaciclib, which is used to treat breast cancer. Some derivatives were more effective than Cefazolin and Tolnaftate, well-known antibiotics and antifungals, respectively. Finally, a fairly clear relationship between the structure of the derivatives and their biological effectiveness was observed.

PurposeTo investigate the effects of performing peripheral iridectomy on the outcome of trabeculectomy.MethodsRetrospective chart review of the medical records of 75 patients (75 eyes) who underwent trabeculectomy surgery, with or without peripheral iridectomy, who had been followed for more than 1 year. Data were collected preoperatively, 1 day postoperatively, on days 30–90 postoperatively, and 1–3 years postoperatively. The collected data included visual acuity, intraocular pressure, bleb development, postoperative inflammation, and complications. Thirty-six eyes (48%) had cataract extraction at the time of trabeculectomy. A peripheral iridectomy was performed in 43 cases (57%). Student's t-test was used for the statistical analyses.ResultsPatients having peripheral iridectomy had more inflammation on days 30–90 than those who did not have peripheral iridectomy performed (in patients having cataract extraction with trabeculectomy (P=0.018) and those not having cataract extraction (P=0.038)). There was no statistically significant difference in intraocular pressure in eyes with or without iridectomy. Postoperative complications were rare in both groups but greater in number in the eyes with peripheral iridectomy.ConclusionsTrabeculectomy performed without peripheral iridectomy appears to be as effective in lowering intraocular pressure as when performed with peripheral iridectomy, but it is a safer procedure, with a lower incidence of postoperative inflammation. It may be an advantage to avoid performing peripheral iridectomy during trabeculectomy in eyes that are not predisposed to postoperative shallowing of the anterior chamber or pupillary block.Eye (2009) 23, 362–367; doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6703034; published online 9 November 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of infrared diode laser irradiation on the proliferation and differentiation capacity of periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs), which are optimal cell sources for periodontal regeneration., Methods: hPDLSCs were isolated and characterized by flow cytometric analysis of mesenchymal stem cell markers, and their trilineage differentiation capacity was tested. hPDLSCs were then cultured and irradiated with infrared diode laser (970 nm) at a power of 200 mW and a fluence of 4 J/cm 2 for 3 s. MTT assay was performed to assess cellular proliferation. Cell cycle analysis was performed, and the impact of infrared diode laser irradiation on the stemness and osteogenic differentiation potential of hPDLSCs was evaluated via RT‒PCR., Results: Infrared diode laser application enhanced the stemness, viability, proliferation, and differentiation of PDLSCs. Stem cell markers (OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG) were significantly upregulated in hPDLSCs exposed to laser irradiation. There was significant overexpression of RUNX2, ALP, OPN, and OCN on day 14 after laser application., Conclusions: These findings provide valuable insights into the specific applications of infrared diode lasers to effectively regenerate periodontal tissues. The results can aid in the development of precise clinical protocols aimed at enhancing osseointegration and promoting tissue regeneration. Ultimately, the combination of infrared diode laser with hPDLSCs is promising for stimulating periodontal regeneration., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Financial Portfolio Optimization Problem (FPOP) is a cornerstone in quantitative investing and financial engineering, focusing on optimizing assets allocation to balance risk and expected return, a concept evolving since Harry Markowitz's 1952 Mean-Variance model. This paper introduces a novel meta-heuristic approach based on the Black Widow Algorithm for Portfolio Optimization (BWAPO) to solve the FPOP. The new method addresses three versions of the portfolio optimization problems: the unconstrained version, the equality cardinality-constrained version, and the inequality cardinality-constrained version. New features are introduced for the BWAPO to adapt better to the problem, including (1) mating attraction and (2) differential evolution mutation strategy. The proposed BWAPO is evaluated against other metaheuristic approaches used in portfolio optimization from literature, and its performance demonstrates its effectiveness through comparative studies on benchmark datasets using multiple performance metrics, particularly in the unconstrained Mean-Variance portfolio optimization version. Additionally, when encountering cardinality constraint, the proposed approach yields competitive results, especially noticeable with smaller datasets. This leads to a focused examination of the outcomes arising from equality versus inequality cardinality constraints, intending to determine which constraint type is more effective in producing portfolios with higher returns. The paper also presents a comprehensive mathematical model that integrates real-world constraints such as transaction costs, transaction lots, and a dollar-denominated budget, in addition to cardinality and bounding constraints. The model assesses both equality/inequality cardinality constraint versions of the problem, revealing that the inequality constraint tends to offer a wider range of feasible solutions with increased return potential., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Low level laser treatment (LLLT) is known for its photobiostimulatory and photobiomodulatory characteristics, which stimulate cell proliferation, increase cellular metabolism, and improve cellular regeneration. The objective of the present research was to assess the possible influence of infrared diode laser irradiation on the behaviour, attachment, and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) seeded on different types of dental implants. Two distinct types of implants, one subjected to laser surface treatment and the other treated with acid etching, were longitudinally divided into two halves and submerged in six wells culture plates. Both implants were subjected to infrared diode laser treatment, and subsequently, the morphology and attachment of cells were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after 14 and 21 days. The behaviour of (hPDLSCs) towards two types of implants, when exposed to osteogenic medium and low-level laser therapy (LLLT), was assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure the expression of stemness markers and osteogenic markers. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that the application of infrared diode laser irradiation substantially improved the attachment of cells to both types of implants. The stemness gene markers were significantly down regulated in cells seeded on both surfaces when challenged with osteogenic media in relation to control. At 14 days, early osteogenic markers, were upregulated, while late osteogenic markers, were downregulated in both challenged groups. At the 21-day mark, hPDLSCs seeded on an acid-etched implant exhibited increased expression of all osteogenic markers in response to stimulation with osteogenic media and infra-red diode laser, in contrast to hPDLSCs seeded on a laser surface treated implant under the same conditions. Finally, the findings of our research revealed that when subjected to infrared diode laser, human periodontal ligament stem cells cultured on both types of implants demonstrated improved cellular attachment and differentiation. This suggested that infrared diode laser enhanced the activity of the cells surrounding the implants. Hence, the use of infrared diode laser could be pivotal in improving and expediting the clinical osseointegration process around dental implants., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Enamel demineralisation is an initial step of the serious dental problem including dental caries, white spot lesions and dental erosion., Aim: Compare the effect of Er, Cr: YSGG (λ = 2780 nm) and nanosecond Nd: YAG (λ = 1064 nm) laser on enamel acid resistance., Material and Methods: Thirty non-carious human premolars, extracted for orthodontic reasons, were used. The experimental groups (n = 10 each group) were: Group I, untreated (control); Group II, Er, Cr: YSGG laser irradiation (0.75 W, 20 Hz, 140 μs, 10 s); Group III, nanosecond pulsed Nd: YAG laser irradiation (0.8 W, 10 Hz, 7 ns, 10 s). Scanning electron microscope and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) were used to assess acquired enamel resistance to PH cycling., Results: After subjecting the three experimental groups to PH cycling, scanning electron microscopic examination revealed irregular porous dissoluted enamel surface in group I. However, groups II and III demonstrated partially dissoluted enamel surface. EDX analysis demonstrated the lowest mean percentage decrease in calcium and phosphorus content in group II followed by group III, then the highest mean percentage decrease was observed in untreated group I. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences (p < 0.0001) between the tested groups., Conclusions: Both Er, Cr: YSSG and nanosecond Nd: YAG laser irradiation were able to improve the acid resistance of enamel. However, enamel surface treated with Er, Cr: YSSG laser showed the lowest mean percentage decrease of calcium and phosphorus (highest acid resistance).

Aim: Recent studies have demonstrated that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can accelerate orthodontic tooth movement. However, there is still controversy about the optimum parameters that can cause acceleration. The present study was designed to examine two different doses of LLLT in the acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement and their effect on relapse., Methods: An orthodontic appliance was designed to induce tooth movement on lower incisors of rabbits. The in-al-as diode laser was used to radiate different groups of rabbits according to a specific protocol. The amount of tooth movement was measured for 21 days, and then the orthodontic appliance was removed, and the relapse was measured till day 28., Results: The amount of tooth movement was significantly greater in the group with irradiation of low dose in comparison with the high dose group and the control group. The relapse was greatest in the group of low dose irradiation and least in the control group., Conclusion: The findings suggest that LLLT with a low dose accelerate the orthodontic tooth movement while LLLT with a high dose was not able to have the same effect. LLLT had a reverse effect on relapse tendency; an increase in the relapse tendency was seen with low dose irradiation.

Purpose: To investigate the amount of intraocular pressure (IOP) asymmetry in a large group of ethnically diverse patients with and without glaucoma, and to delineate the risk for glaucoma which increasing amounts of IOP asymmetry confer upon the patient., Patients and Methods: Collaborative retrospective study of 326 glaucoma patients and 326 controls. Former Wills Eye Institute fellows collected single pre-treatment measurements of IOP on patients diagnosed as having definite glaucoma based on characteristic optic nerve damage and confirmatory visual field damage. Patients with a normal eye examination who had normal-appearing optic discs and no apparent glaucoma, or who had a normal eye examination in association with refractive error or cataract, were used as controls., Results: Intraocular pressure asymmetry is a significant risk factor for having glaucoma (odds ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.86-2.47; P<0.001). Absence of IOP asymmetry between the fellow eyes is associated with a 1% probability of having glaucoma. A difference of 3 mm Hg is associated with a 6% probability of having glaucoma, and a difference of >6 mm Hg with a 57% probability of having glaucoma. The association between IOP asymmetry and glaucoma status is significant for subjects with both elevated IOP (P=0.014) and statistically normal IOP (maximum IOP ≤ 21 mm Hg; P<0.001)., Conclusions: Inter-eye asymmetry of IOP is a common finding in patients with glaucoma. There is a direct relationship between the amount of IOP asymmetry between the fellow eyes and the likelihood of having glaucoma.

When urinary diversion is indicated, patient information concerning the advantages and disadvantages of different types of urinary diversion and their choices is of utmost importance for the functional outcome and patient satisfaction. There is a variety of choices for incontinent urinary diversion (ureterocutaneostomy, ileal conduit, colonic conduit) and continent urinary diversion (continent anal urinary diversion, continent cutaneous urinary diversion and urethral bladder substitution). In the individual case, the choices may be limited by patient criteria and/or medical criteria. Important patient criteria are preference, age and comorbidity, BMI, motivation, underlying disease and indication for cystectomy. Medical criteria which possibly limit choices of type of urinary diversion are kidney function/upper urinary tract status and limitations concerning the gastrointestinal tract, concerning urethra/sphincter as well as the ability and motivation to perform intermittent self-catheterization. Preoperative information may use simulation of certain postoperative scenarios (urethral self-catheterization, fixation of water-filled conduit bags, holding test for anal liquids) to allow the individual patient to choose the optimal type of urinary diversion for his/her given situation from the mosaic of choices and possible individual limitations.

Purpose: To get an idea of whether the issue of what makes people healthier is studied in ophthalmology by determining the proportion of articles dealing with that subject., Methods: Prospective review of all articles published in 3 consecutive issues of 7 peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals, using a grading system in which A signified an article that clearly dealt with a subject expected to have an impact on health or quality of life, or that considered health or quality of life itself directly; B indicated an article similar to A, but not directly concerned with the issue of health; C signified an article similar to B but more distantly related to health or quality of life; and D was the grade given when there was no relationship at all to health or quality of life. Grading was done independently by 3 graders. A literature review on the subject was also performed., Results: Thirty-three articles received a grade of A, 229 of B, 740 of C, and 81 of D. There were more articles that had no relationship at all to health or quality of life than there were articles dealing directly with those issues., Conclusions: On the basis of a review of the literature and of over 1000 articles, ophthalmologists do not appear to give much priority to issues of quality of life or health. How validly these conclusions can be generalized to general clinicians is not known.