Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a severe gastrointestinal disease that poses a significant threat to the poultry industry. It leads to progressive damage to the small intestine, reduced performance, increased mortality rates, and substantial economic losses. With the removal of antimicrobial agents from chicken feed, there is an urgent need to find alternative approaches for NE control. Various approaches, including vaccination, prebiotics, probiotics, and plant-derived products, have been utilized to address NE in poultry management. To evaluate the efficacy of these preventive measures against NE, successful induction of NE is crucial to observe effects of these approaches in related studies. This study presents a comprehensive overview of the methods and approaches utilized for NE reproduction in related studies from 2004 to 2023. These considerations are the careful selection of a virulent Clostridium perfringens strain, preparation of challenge inoculum, choice of time and the route for challenge inoculum administration, and utilization of one or more predisposing factors to increase the rate of NE occurrence in birds under experiment. We also reviewed the different systems used for lesion scoring of NE-challenged birds. By gaining clarity on these fundamental parameters, researchers can make informed decisions regarding the selection of the most appropriate NE experimental design in their respective studies.

Denture stomatitis (DS) is a very common disease in wearers of removable complete and partial dentures with a worldwide prevalence in the range of 20-67%. Both industrially developed and impoverished nations are affected by the illness. DS is often associated with ill-fitting dentures or a fungal infection with Candida spp. Candida is normally found in the oral cavity microbiota, but it can be harmful to the health of elderly people with underlying diseases. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to offer the most recent information about the epidemiology, etiology, and global distribution of Candida species associated with DS through a systematic review. Several databases, including Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus, were used to conduct an extensive search of the literature published in the previous 20 years. The selection of studies was performed by two authors. The extracted data were as follows: author, year of publication, country, sample, frequency of DS, method of diagnosing stomatitis, species of Candida, risk factors, and etiology of the disease. The JBI Critical appraisal tools were used to assess the quality of the studies. Eventually, twenty-eight studies were included in the systematic review. Twenty-one studies investigated DS, while seven studies examined Candida colonization in patients using removable dentures. The results show that the main causes of DS include the type of dentures, continuous wearing of dentures, and the formation of a Candida biofilm, which is facilitated by poor dental hygiene. Additionally, previous studies have pinpointed the significance of the salivary flow, saliva composition, and salivary pH. The findings of the current review indicate that it is crucial to monitor denture wearers for the appearance of DS, especially the patients whose immunity has been impaired due to a systemic condition. Finally, frequent follow-ups should include a clinical examination and microbial swabs of the palatal mucosa and the mucosal surface of the denture.

Scuba diving is one of the most common and practised water sport activities in Genoa, especially in the more recent years. Although scuba diving is generally considered a safe activity, this does not exclude the possibility of serious or fatal accidents from happening. This retrospective study investigates the case history of deaths resulting from diving accidents recorded by the Municipal Morgue of Genoa over a period of 53 years, specifically from 1968 to 2021. Of the total 52 deaths covered by the study, 48 were male with an age range of 16-71 years. In 25 of these subjects, pre-existing pathological conditions of a cardiovascular nature, not recognised at the time of death, were reported. Out of the total deaths studied, 9 subjects died following a diving accident related to free diving, while 43 subjects died from scuba or rebreather diving. Among the latter subjects, the cause of death was attributed to drowning in 17 cases, arterial gas embolism (AGE) from pulmonary over-distension in 11 cases, cardio-circulatory arrest (CA) favoured by pre-existing and non-existing heart disease known prior to the death in 10 cases, decompression sickness (DCS) in 2 cases, a combination of DCS and AGE in 2 cases and oxygen intoxication in 1 case. Twelve of the fatal accidents occurred in the marine area near the village of Arenzano, where the shipwreck of the oil tanker, the \"Haven\", sank in 1991 and is today the largest shipwreck explored by divers in the Mediterranean Sea. In all cases of diving deaths, a multi-disciplinary approach is important: in particular, the role of the forensic pathologist is essential in order to accurately reconstruct the dynamics of the accident, thus identifying the predisposing or triggering factors that led to death, and defining the cause of it.

Otomycosis (OM) is a superficial fungal infection of the external auditory canal (EAC) with a worldwide prevalence ranging from 9% to 30%. Commonly, otomycoses are caused by Aspergillus (A.) niger complex and Candida spp. Other causative agents are yeasts of the genera Cryptococcus spp., Rhodotorula spp., Geotrichum candidum, dermatophytes (Trichophyton mentagrophytes), and non-dermatophytes molds (Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp., Mucorales fungi). The widest range of different species causing OM are found in the territories of Iran, India, China, Egypt, Mexico, and Brazil. Fungal infection of the EAC varies from mild to severe forms. It can be acute, subacute, or chronic, and is often unilateral, while the bilateral form is more common in immunocompromised patients. From an epidemiological point of view, tropical and subtropical climates are the most significant risk factor for the development of otomycosis. Other predisposing conditions include clothing habits, EAC hygiene practices, long-term antibiotic therapy, diabetes, and immunodeficiency. Since it is often difficult to distinguish otomycosis from an infection of a different origin, laboratory-based evidence, including standard procedures (microscopy and cultivation), is essential for diagnosis. For the treatment of this superficial fungal infection, there are no official therapeutic guidelines and protocols. However, many antifungals for local application, such as polyene, imidazoles, and allylamines, can be applied, as well as systemic antimycotics (triazoles) in severe forms of infection.

UNASSIGNED: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease is an important infection disease throughout the world. Mycobacterium xenopi (M. xenopi) is a common NTM. Extrapulmonary infections due to M. xenopi, particularly spine infections, are a rare occurrence, but lack of research is cited as a constraint for implementing NTM control in such patients. The purposes of this paper are to describe a case of spondylodiscitis, to review the published literature on cases of M. xenopi spine infections, and to summarize the predisposing factors, diagnosis, and treatment of infection.
UNASSIGNED: A case of spondylodiscitis was caused by M. xenopi in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Research was conducted using the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, Wiley Online Library, and Scopus databases using the following search terms: \"Mycobacterium xenopi\", \"vertebral\", \"spinal\", \"spondylodiscitis\", \"infection\", and \"osteomyelitis\".
UNASSIGNED: We retrieved 14 cases published before August 2022. The risk factors for infection were iatrogenic infections (3/14, 21.43%), SLE (4/14, 28.57%), AIDS (4/14, 28.57%), and immunocompetence without any comorbidities (3/14, 21.43%). The most common sites of infection were thoracic vertebrae (10/14, 71.43%) and lumbar vertebrae (4/14, 28.57%). A total of 14 cases were isolated and identified as M. xenopi from a toad by mycobacterial culture. The identification time was 55.00 ± 7.55 days (the present report identification time of metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS) was only 2 days). All patients were treated with antibiotic therapy, and the duration of treatment was 13.18 ± 2.13 months. Clarithromycin-based therapy showed a higher improvement rate (5/6, 83.33%). Surgical intervention was performed in 5 patients. Only 1 patient did not show any improvement after surgical treatment.
UNASSIGNED: M. xenopi spine infection in humans presents with atypical clinical symptoms. mNGS identification may be a good choice. M. xenopi may be considered in immunocompromised patients with spinal infection. We recommend a clarithromycin-containing regimen and prolonging the duration of treatment to ensure effectiveness.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common disorder affecting pregnancy. Besides conventional risk factors, several novel risk factors have been linked to causing GDM. Increased serum uric acid levels, also termed hyperuricemia, are regarded as one of the significant risk factors for increased insulin resistance and GDM, causing detrimental impacts on both mother and child. The likelihood of developing GDM is at its peak during the first three months of pregnancy in patients with hyperuricemia. Still, its pathophysiology needs to be evaluated in detail. This review is aimed at assessing the function of hyperuricemia in the development of GDM.

Medulloblastomas comprise 10% of pediatric brain tumors. Subfrontal recurrence is uncommon and has been associated with prone positioning, inadequate irradiation of the cribriform plate area, and hydrocephalus management. We discuss the case report of an 8-year-old boy with subfrontal medulloblastoma recurrence. The literature was reviewed using terms such as \"medulloblastoma,\" \"subfrontal recurrence,\" and \"child.\" Forty-eight cases of subfrontal medulloblastoma recurrence were identified. The mean age at presentation was 12.3 years. Gross total resection was achieved in 44%, most patients received adjuvant radiation therapy, and approximately 25% received chemotherapy. The mean recurrence interval was 2.6 years. The mean number of recurrences per patient was 1.2 and the mean survival period was 3.3 years. Even in the case of meticulous resection and sufficient irradiation, recurrences may still occur. Our case indicates that resection of the recurrent lesion and repeat irradiation may benefit patients with satisfactory short-term results.

UNASSIGNED: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and life-threatening state of immune hyperactivation. It has the highest mortality rate among all hematological immune-related adverse events (irAEs) of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) when treating various cancers. However, the predisposing factors of HLH have rarely been mentioned in previous research.
UNASSIGNED: Herein, we report 2 cases of HLH following treatment with pembrolizumab. A patient was diagnosed with thymic carcinoma (TC) and possible Sjögren\'s syndrome (SS), while another was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and both were positive for antinuclear antibodies. Both cases experienced transient immune-related fever on day 7 after pembrolizumab administration and splenomegaly on day 10. Then recurrent high-grade fever appeared, and liver function impairment, highly elevated ferritin, and hypertriglyceridemia were tested. After the diagnosis of HLH, both patients were treated with dexamethasone and etoposide without relapse in our follow-up.
UNASSIGNED: Considering the widespread use of ICIs and the high mortality rate of HLH, the immune-related fever, splenomegaly, and other signs of hyperinflammation after the infusion of ICIs, are worthy of attention to the presence of HLH. Preexisting autoimmune diseases (ADs) or positive antibodies, concomitant infection, and the setting of thymic epithelial tumors (TET) may be predisposing factors for HLH. And increased caution is needed before the initiation of ICIs for patients with 2 or more predisposing factors.

We conducted an integrative review in an attempt to methodically and systematically understand the individual (personal factors) that influence National Health Insurance Scheme [NHIS] enrolment among older adults aged 50 years and above. The study was premised on evidence pointing to a state of little or no change in the enrolment rates [especially among older adults], which contrasts with the initial euphoria that greeted the launch of the scheme - which culminated in high enrolment rates.
The integrative literature review was conducted to synthesise the available evidence on individual determinants of NHIS among older adults. The methodological approach of the integrative literature review follows a five-stage interdependent and interconnected procedure of problem identification, literature search, data evaluation, data analysis and results presentation. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed articles published in the English Language, from January 2010 to July 2020 and have Ghana as its setting or study area. The Andersen\'s Behavioural Model was used to categorize the predictor variables.
Predisposing factors [gender, age, level of education and marital status], enabling factors [income] and need factors [health conditions or health attributes of older adults] were identified as individual predictors of NHIS enrolment among older adults. The findings support argument of Andersen\'s Behavioural Model [where predisposing, enabling and need factors are considered as individual determinants of health behaviour].
The findings call for policy reforms that take into account the aforementioned individual predictors of NHIS enrolment, especially among the aged.

Retained placenta is a pathological condition defined as failure to expel foetal membranes within 12-24 h after parturition. It instigates important financial losses to the dairy industry causing considerable economic loss. It is a multifactorial disorder. Although different hypotheses have been proposed, contradictory results and no single factor explains the development of the disease. This indicates that there are overall significant gaps in our knowledge about the various factors affecting the aetiopathology and pathobiology of the retained placenta. Thus, it will be of great interest to investigate the potential contributing factors that influence the occurrence of RP which provide us with the mechanisms to avoid the occurrence of the disease. In addition, different predictive indicators of RP should be a part of our research, thus providing the essential procedures applied to deal with the disease and the development of novel therapeutic and prophylactic strategies in its management. Furthermore, lately, the molecular role takes attention to understanding its effect in the occurrence of the disease. Such information might help dairy scientists in the future to design better management and preventive practices for RP in dairy cows.