Complementary Biological System Journal

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in regenerative medicine due to their self-renewal capacity, multilineage differentiation potential, and paracrine activity. Limitations associated with the sourcing and scalability of human MSCs have increased interest in xenogeneic alternatives, particularly sheep umbilical cord–derived MSCs (sUC-MSCs). These cells display high proliferative capacity, stable karyotypes, and a typical MSC immunophenotype (CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105), with low basal immunogenicity. sUC-MSCs exhibit osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic differentiation potential and secrete angiogenic and immunomodulatory factors, including VEGF, HGF, IGF-1, TGF-β, and IL-10. Owing to their biological similarities to human MSCs and accessibility from perinatal tissue, sUC-MSCs represent a suitable large-animal cell source for translational and preclinical research. Bioengineering strategies, including hydrogels, chitosan-based matrices, and peptide-functionalized scaffolds, further enhance their survival and delivery efficiency. Although challenges remain regarding immunogenicity and regulatory standardization, recent advances in omics profiling, gene editing, and extracellular vesicle–based delivery support the continued evaluation of sUC-MSCs as a scalable and ethically sustainable xenogeneic cell source for regenerative applications.

Background: A prescription error is a failure in the prescription writing process that results in a wrong instruction about one or more of the standard features of a prescription. Most adverse drug events are preventable through promoting rational drug use; primarily by mitigating the outstanding high burden of prescribing errors. The main aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and characteristics of prescription errors in the community pharmacies in Mbarara, Uganda.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected community pharmacies in Mbarara City, South Western Uganda. Consecutive sampling of all prescriptions availed at the selected pharmacies was conducted until the total sampling target was achieved. A structured checklist adopted from the standard prescription guidelines according to the Uganda Clinical Guidelines was used to abstract data from the prescriptions.

Results: The study included 420 prescriptions from eleven community pharmacies in Mbarara City. The overall prevalence of prescription error was 64.3%. Out of 420 prescriptions analysed, 270 prescriptions had a total of 412 prescribing errors. Illegible or wrong drug name was the most prevalent form of prescription error (170, 40.48%) followed by missing or wrong route of administration (113, 26.9%). On the other hand, out of 985 prescription writing errors, 703 (71.4%) were errors of omission. The errors of commission accounted for 282 (28.6%) of the prescription writing errors: 156 (38.4%) had errors in name of the drug, and 58 (14.3%) had errors in prescriber’s name among others.

Conclusion: The current prevalence of prescription errors is much higher compared to previously reported findings. This translates to suboptimal patient care and heightened risk of adverse drug events including the risk of antimicrobial resistance. This calls for strengthening health care systems to reduce prescription errors and prevent adverse drug events, including incorrect prescribing, drug interactions, antibiotic resistance, and treatment failure.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) remain common complications following surgery, despite the availability of various prophylactic antiemetic agents. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of ondansetron and metoclopramide in preventing PONV in patients undergoing elective lower abdominal surgery under general anesthesia. In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 80 adult patients were equally allocated into two groups: one receiving 0.1 mg/kg of intravenous ondansetron and the other 0.2 mg/kg of intravenous metoclopramide at the end of surgery. The incidence, frequency, and need for rescue antiemetics were evaluated over 24 hours postoperatively. The overall incidence of nausea was higher in the ondansetron group (65%) compared to the metoclopramide group (52.5%), though not statistically significant (p = 0.071). Conversely, ondansetron was associated with a lower incidence of vomiting (47.2% vs. 52.8%) and significantly reduced need for rescue antiemetic therapy (38.1% vs. 61.9%, p = 0.023). Age group analysis revealed significantly higher PONV incidence among patients aged 20–39 years (p < 0.001). Gender and BMI were not predictive of nausea or vomiting occurrence but were associated with symptom recurrence. Although both agents were effective for PONV prophylaxis, ondansetron demonstrated clinical advantages by reducing vomiting frequency and the need for rescue therapy. Younger age was identified as a significant risk factor for PONV. These findings support the preferential use of ondansetron, particularly in high-risk patients, and emphasize the value of individualized prophylactic strategies.

Safety is crucial in the oil and gas refinery industry for production and distribution. Companies must ensure a workplace free from common injuries and protected against serious incidents. This paper evaluates employees’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and workplace environment at North Refineries Company (Baiji). A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September 10, 2024, to September 20, 2025, involving 480 employees (378 workers and 102 managers). Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and analysed using SPSS version 24. North Refineries Company (Baiji). workers scored 72.49 % on general knowledge and 96.83% on attitudes, but only 53.97% on safe behaviour. Division managers reported health support measures at 84.31% (healthy) and long-term health effects at 58% (healthy), while 45% indicated a lack of regular screenings as unhealthy, and nearly 44% noted unhealthy work-related health problems. In conclusion, this study has determined that oil sector workers must follow a sequential safety protocol to protect themselves and equipment and increase production.

Scutellarin, a flavonoid glycoside primarily derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, has garnered increasing scientific interest for its multifaceted pharmacological properties. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of scutellarin's therapeutic effects, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, cardioprotective and anticancer activities. Emphasis is placed on elucidating its molecular mechanisms of action, such as modulation of the NF-κB, Nrf2, and PI3K/Akt pathways, and its role in regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Additionally, we discuss formulation innovations, including nanoparticle and liposomal delivery systems, aimed at overcoming scutellarin's poor oral bioavailability and enhancing therapeutic performance. Key limitations in current research such as variability in raw material quality, few clinical trial data, and challenges with regulatory approval in Western markets are critically examined. By outlining these gaps and highlighting future directions, this review provides a comprehensive synthesis to support the translational development of scutellarin as a promising therapeutic candidate.

Povidone-iodine and citric acid are widely used antimicrobial agents. However, data on their comparative efficacy and the functional outcomes of their combination, particularly regarding the influence of common excipients like starch, is limited. Understanding these interactions is crucial for optimizing antiseptic formulations. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the antibacterial activity of povidone-iodine, citric acid (5% and 20%), and starch (5% and 20%), both individually and in combination, against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial activity of the agents was assessed using an agar well diffusion assay. Mean inhibition zone diameters were measured and compared. The study design specifically controlled for dilution effects by dissolving solid citric acid and starch directly into the povidone-iodine solution for combination testing. Citric acid demonstrated potent, concentration-dependent antibacterial activity, yielding the largest inhibition zones (27.40 ± 1.54 mm for S. aureus with 20% CA). Povidone-iodine alone showed moderate activity. In combination, the antibacterial effect of the citric acid-iodine mixture was dictated by citric acid, with its efficacy fully preserved. In contrast, starch was inactive alone and its presence significantly reduced the antibacterial effect of povidone-iodine. S. aureus consistently showed the largest inhibition zones, while E. coli showed the smallest. Citric acid is a highly effective antibacterial agent whose activity is maintained in combination with povidone-iodine. Starch demonstrates a significant interference effect that reduces the efficacy of povidone-iodine, a finding not attributable to dilution. These results highlight the potential of citric acid as a primary antimicrobial and underscore the critical importance of ensuring physicochemical compatibility in antiseptic formulations.

Currently the kerosene fuel is very important for use in the heating, cooking, and fuel of the jet engines. The study aims effected of mixing different lite bit and same of gasoil to three different type of kerosene samples, and study the initial boiling point (IPB) during of distillation test. This study focused on targeting the IPB of the kerosene samples by finding the specific gravity (Sp.gr) test, the American Petroleum Institute (API) degree, and distillation test. However, these samples of kerosene were characterized and labeled (kero-01, kero-02, and kero-03, respectively) before the dealing processes, while the samples after the adding processes were labeled (kero-11, kero-12, and kero-13, respectively). The results showed that the IBPs were reached 151 °C, 161 °C, before, and after blending processes respectively. Then study addition percentage (5 to 95 %) of gasoil to kerosene was affected to the IPB. The addition rate showed that the increase was approximately 8 % of the boiling point. Finally, via finding sp.gr, API degree and distillation of final products it was found that the mentioned mixing ratio was very small, yet it was effective in examining the IPB in the distillation test during this work.

The accelerating global generation of municipal solid waste, coupled with escalating energy demands, presents one of the most pressing sustainability challenges of the 21st century. Conventional waste disposal pathways, such as landfilling and incineration, exacerbate environmental degradation and resource loss. In response, thermochemical technologies—specifically hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), microwave-assisted processing, and pyrolysis—have emerged as promising strategies for waste valorization and renewable energy recovery. This review critically examines recent advancements in these technologies, emphasizing their roles in converting diverse waste streams into high-value energy carriers and carbon-rich materials. Comparative analysis reveals that HTC operates efficiently under subcritical water conditions, producing hydrochar with tunable physicochemical properties ideal for soil amendment and carbon sequestration. Microwave processing offers rapid, uniform heating with lower energy input and shorter reaction times, enhancing process scalability and efficiency. Pyrolysis, a more established technology, provides high bio-oil and syngas yields suitable for fuel production and chemical synthesis. However, trade-offs in energy balance, process optimization, and emissions management persist. Key findings indicate that hybrid approaches, catalyst innovations, and integration with renewable systems can substantially improve overall energy efficiency and environmental performance. Future research should focus on techno-economic assessments, lifecycle sustainability analyses, and pilot-scale demonstrations to bridge the gap between laboratory success and industrial implementation, advancing the global transition from waste to wealth.

Pediatric acquired subglottic stenosis is a high-risk airway condition that requires close coordination between anesthesiology and otorhinolaryngology teams, particularly during endoscopic interventions performed under shared-airway conditions. This report describes the interdisciplinary management and anesthetic–surgical coordination in a child with severe acquired subglottic stenosis undergoing endoscopic balloon dilation, highlighting key decision points and airway management strategies. A 2-year-old boy with a history of prolonged and repeated endotracheal intubations presented with persistent dyspnea and noisy breathing, consistent with fixed extrathoracic airway obstruction. The case was reviewed in a multidisciplinary pediatric difficult-airway meeting, and operative management consisted of endoscopic airway evaluation and balloon dilation performed under preserved spontaneous ventilation. Intraoperative endoscopy demonstrated approximately 80% subglottic luminal narrowing consistent with Cotton–Myer Grade III stenosis, and initial intubation across the stenotic segment was not possible. Radial scar release followed by sequential balloon dilations was successfully performed under shared-airway conditions. Transient oxygen desaturation occurred during balloon inflation but resolved with coordinated airway management and interval reoxygenation. Post-dilation airway calibration demonstrated improved patency. The patient was monitored postoperatively in the intensive care unit, extubated after 24 hours, and experienced no immediate complications. Short-term follow-up revealed stable respiratory status without recurrent symptoms, with planned staged surveillance and repeat dilation. This case demonstrates that severe pediatric subglottic stenosis can be managed safely with endoscopic balloon dilation when supported by meticulous interdisciplinary planning, preservation of spontaneous ventilation, and real-time communication between anesthesiology and surgical teams, potentially avoiding tracheostomy in selected high-risk pediatric patients.

Perioperative fluid therapy is a cornerstone of anesthetic management in cardiac surgery, where both hypovolemia and hypervolemia are associated with increased morbidity, forming a ``U-shaped'' relationship with outcomes. This narrative review synthesizes evidence from peer-reviewed literature (2000–2024) identified via PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Database, focusing on randomized trials, meta-analyses, and guidelines for adult cardiac surgery. A central debate persists regarding fluid choice. Current evidence supports the preferential use of balanced crystalloids over normal saline, as large-volume saline is linked to hyperchloremic acidosis and reduced renal perfusion. Colloids like albumin and hydroxyethyl starch (HES) offer efficient volume expansion but require caution: contemporary data favor albumin over synthetic colloids in high-risk patients due to coagulation and renal concerns with HES. The review also addresses the impact of cardiopulmonary bypass on hemodilution, inflammation, and electrolyte balance. Key findings indicate that goal-directed or restrictive fluid strategies, guided by advanced monitoring, reduce postoperative complications compared to liberal regimens. However, significant uncertainty remains regarding optimal volumes in specific subgroups (e.g., ventricular dysfunction, complex procedures) and the comparative effectiveness of different balanced crystalloids. Ultimately, fluid management in cardiac surgery must be tailored, evidence-informed, and guided by real-time physiological data.