Freshwater ecosystems provide propitious conditions for the acquisition and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), andintegrons play an important role in this process. In the present study, the diversity of putative environmental integron-cassettes, aswell as their potential bacterial hosts in the Velhas River (Brazil), was explored through intI-attC and 16S rRNA amplicons deep sequencing. RESULTS ANDDISCUSSION ORFs related to different biological processes were observed, from DNA integration to oxidation-reduction. ARGs-cassettes were mainlyassociated with class 1 mobile integrons carried by pathogenic Gammaproteobacteria, and possibly sedentary chromosomal integrons hosted byProteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Two putative novel ARG-cassettes homologs to fosB3 and novA were detected. Regarding 16SrRNA gene analysis,taxonomic and functional profiles unveiled Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria as dominant phyla. Betaproteobacteria,Alphaproteobacteria, and Actinobacteria classes were the main contributors for KEGG orthologs associated with resistance. Overall, theseresults provide new information about environmental integrons as a source of resistance determinants outside clinical settings and the bacterial communityin the Velhas River.Overall, these results provide new information about environmental integrons as a source of resistance determinants outside clinical settings and the bacterial community in the Velhas River.Metoclopramide inhibits the central and peripheral D2 receptors and is frequently prescribed in adults and children as an antiemetic or a prokinetic drug to control symptoms of upper gastrointestinal motor disorders. Metoclopramide is predominantly metabolized via N-dealkylation and it is primarily mediated by CYP2D6 which is highly polymorphic. Thus, the effects of CYP2D6 genetic polymorphism on the pharmacokinetics of metoclopramide were evaluated in this study. All volunteers were genotyped for CYP2D6 and divided into four different genotype groups (CYP2D6*wt/*wt [*wt = *1 or *2], CYP2D6*wt/*10, CYP2D6*10/*10, and CYP2D6*5/*10). Each subject received a single oral dose of metoclopramide 10 mg. Plasma concentrations of metoclopramide were measured by using HPLC-UV. Compared to CYP2D6*wt/*wt, AUCinf of CYP2D6*wt/*10, CYP2D6*10/*10, and CYP2D6*5/*10 significantly increased by 1.5-, 2.3-, and 2.5-fold, respectively. Cmax also increased significantly in comparison to CYP2D6*wt/*wt across all genotype groups, with 1.5-, 1.7-, and 1.7-fold increases seen in CYP2D6*wt/*10, CYP2D6*10/*10, and CYP2D6*5/*10 groups, respectively. The CL/F of metoclopramide decreased in CYP2D6 genotype groups with decreased function alleles, as decreases of 37%, 56% and 61% were observed in CYP2D6*wt/10, *10/10, and *5/*10 genotype groups in comparison to the CYP2D6*wt/*wt group. In conclusion, the genetic polymorphisms of CYP2D6 significantly affected metoclopramide pharmacokinetics. Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a highly prevalent disease in Kuwait. NVP-BSK805 It poses health, economic, and social implications affecting patients, their families and communities. ECC awareness campaigns targeting expectant mothers hold a promising potential as primary prevention tools. Understanding the baseline of ECC knowledge (ECC-K) is an important foundational step in planning such interventions. The aim of this study was to assess the level of ECC-K in a sample of expectant mothers, and to identify the sociodemographic and behavioural determinants of that knowledge. A multiple-choice questionnaire was distributed to 430 expectant women from one maternity hospital in Kuwait. The questionnaire gathered information on the demographics, ECC-K, and the oral health behaviours of the participants. Bivariate analysis assessed the relationship between ECC-K scores and the different socio-demographic variables and oral health practices of the participants. A multiple linear regression model was developed to identify the predictors of ECC-K scores RESULTS The response rate was 94% (n = 405). The mean ECC-K score was 6.4 [standard deviation (SD) = 2.5] out of a maximum score of 14. Age, education, number of children, frequency of dental visits, and flossing frequency were significantly associated with ECC-K levels (p < 0.05). ECC-K among this cohort of expectant mothers was inadequate. Educational interventions are needed to foster better ECC preventive practices.ECC-K among this cohort of expectant mothers was inadequate. Educational interventions are needed to foster better ECC preventive practices. To evaluate the effect of interactive distraction technique on the severity of gagging and success of impression taking in children between age 5 and 10years. This single blind, randomised controlled trial recruited 48 children aged 5-10years requiring maxillary impressions. Selected children were randomly allocated to one of the two groups (1) Test group, use of interactive distraction, and (2) Control group, no use of interactive distraction, during impression taking. Dental anxiety was scored using Facial Image Scale (FIS) before and after impression taking. Gagging-related Impression Success Scale (GISS) and Gagging Severity Index (GSI) were recorded by a blinded assessor. Nonparametric tests were used to compare the variables between the groups. Maxillary impressions were successfully recorded in all children in the Test group; either with no gag (87.5%) or with gag (12.5%). In 33.3% control children impressions could not be recorded. Statistically significant, strong association was found between the interactive distraction and GISS (p = 0.003, Cramer's V = 0.32). Mean GSI and post-impression FIS scores were significantly lesser in the Test group (p = 0.029 and p = 0.048, respectively). Significant increase in the mean FIS scores was observed after recording impression in the Control group. Post-impression FIS showed significant positive correlation with GSI (Test p = 0.003, Control p = 0.009) and significant inverse correlation with GISS (Test p = 0.003, Control p = 0.01). Interactive distraction technique used in this study is a simple, non-invasive and cost-effective method to effectively manage gagging and successfully record a maxillary impression in children between age 5 and 10years.Interactive distraction technique used in this study is a simple, non-invasive and cost-effective method to effectively manage gagging and successfully record a maxillary impression in children between age 5 and 10 years.