B cells are recognized as effector cells in allograft rejection that are dependent upon T cell help to produce alloantibodies causing graft injury. It is not known if B cells can also help T cells ...differentiate into memory cells in the alloimmune response. We found that in B‐cell‐deficient hosts, differentiation of alloreactive T cells into effectors was intact whereas their development into memory T cells was impaired. To test if B cell help for T cells was required for their continued differentiation into memory T cells, activated T cells were sorted from alloimmunized mice and transferred either with or without B cells into naïve adoptive hosts. Activated T cells cotransferred with B cells gave rise to more memory T cells than those transferred without B cells and upon recall, mediated accelerated rejection of skin allografts. Cotransfer of B cells led to increased memory T cells by enhancing activated CD4 T‐cell proliferation and activated CD8 T‐cell survival. These results indicate that B cells help alloreactive T‐cell differentiation, proliferation and survival to generate optimal numbers of functional memory T cells.
B cell help for alloreactive T cells promotes their proliferation and survival to generate optimal numbers of functional memory T cells.
Objective: The present investigation aims on the clinical attributes and haematological parameters between symptomatic (COVID-19 ICU) and asymptomatic (COVID-19 homes isolation) patients as ...predisposing sign for COVID-19 related mortality. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort research was conducted of admitted patients to ICU, who were suffering from severe COVID-19 in Aseer Central Hospital, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from July 2020 until September 2020. The study included individuals with COVID-19 and ICU admission as symptomatic group and others who are COVID-19 positives with quarantine as asymptomatic group. Epidemiological, clinical and haematological laboratory data were retrospectively collected, analysed with control subjects. Results: Of the 38 ICU patients studied, the most common symptoms were fever and respiratory distress (100%), cough (86.8%). Majority were of Saudi origin (78.9%). Eighteen (47.4%) COVID-19 ICU patients showed leukocytosis, 6 (15.8%) had severe thrombocytopenia (with most having thrombocytopenia), 18 (47.4%) were anaemic. A significant correlation was observed between the WBC, RBC, Hb, platelets, neutrophil and lymphocyte count between ICU inmates compared with quarantine (p < 0.001) and RBC, Ub, neutrophil and lymphocyte count with control groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: From the observations it is evident that, the blood tests have potential clinical value in predicting COVID-19 progression. Further, patient characteristics including age, leukocyte count, RBC, platelets and differential leukocyte counts may be significant predictors for monitoring the progression of the critical illness observed in SARS-COV-2 patients. Also, treatment procedures can be re-defined further to reduce COVID-19 mortalities in more critically ill COVID-19 individuals. Keywords: COVID-19, blood test, ICU, quarantine, leukocyte count, erythrocyte count, platelet count
Clove plant (Syzygium aromaticum) is one of the Myrtaceae family. It's a common flavor in food and the traditional medicine. The study's objective was to ascertain whether the clove bud aqueous ...extract (CAE) and CAE + nanosilver have any biological effects on immune cells and HT-29 colon cancer cell line. Nanosilver was produced through green synthesis approach using CAE. Produced nanosilver was characterized via electron microscope (scanning, SEM) and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. CAE and CAE + nanosilver were examined for their active biomolecules using FTIR analysis, p53 contents using real-time PCR, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest power on HT-29 cancer cell line via flow cytometerty and immunomodulatory potential utilizing MTT assay. Results cleared that a spherical nanosilver with a diameter range of 53 nm was formed by CAE. There were several active biomolecules in CAE and CAE + nanosilver. CAE and CAE + nanosilver increased the p53 protein expression and apoptotic cell number in HT-29 colon cancer cells. CAE and CAE + nanosilver could arrest HT-29 cells at the phase G2/M. CAE and CAE + nanosilver stimulated quiescent and PHA-pre-treated splenic cells at higher concentrations, and CAE suppressed quiescent splenic cell when diluted. In conclusion, the safe edible Syzygium aromaticum plant can be utilized to make anti-tumor agent, essentially for colon tumor. As Syzygium aromaticum plant could stimulate immune cells, it can be used as immune-stimulatory agent that can help fight tumor and tumor development.
Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-induced neuropathy and ischemia-reperfusion post-surgery prolong carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) pathology, but the effect of T2DM on the prognostic outcome of ...carpal tunnel (CT) release surgery needs to be investigated. Materials and methods A total of 64 individuals with CTS underwent CT release surgery. HbA1c levels identified their diabetic status. The individual prognostic outcomes were measured by nerve conduction velocity (NCV), amplitude, and latency. Measurement of Ca
and reactive oxygen species (ROS) from isolated endothelial cells (ECs) revealed the oxidative burden of the normal and diabetic CTS phenotypes. Results CTS individuals with HbA1c > 7 showed decreased NCV (≈22 m/s) and amplitude (≈4.2 mV) with increased latency (≈6 ms), compared to groups with HbA1c ≤ 7. Further to CT release surgery, the reversal of the nerve conduction to normalcy was greatly influenced by the diabetic profile of the individuals. Our results showed elevated basal Ca
and corresponding high cytosolic ROS in the ECs isolated from individuals with HbA1c > 7 compared to the diabetic and healthy control groups. Conclusion The individuals with diabetic index showed suboptimal neuronal performance pre- and post-CT release surgery. Oxidative stress mediated by high Ca
and ROS of ECs dissipates to adjoining cells worsening the pathology of the untreated CTS.
The crude aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Coccinia indica were screened for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), multidrug resistant (MDR) Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia ...coli, Candida auris and Trichophyton rubrum. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were assessed by standard disc diffusion and tube dilution methods. The results showed that ethanolic extract inhibited MRSA, C. auris at 250 µg/mL and S. pyogenes at 200 µg/mL comparable to the susceptible antibiotics used as positive controls. There was no observable activity against T. rubrum, while a mild activity was observed with ethanolic extracts over E. coli at higher concentrations which did not turn out to be complete or significant inhibition. Aqueous extract did not exhibit any observable activity over the five organisms tested. Furthermore, the results showed clear cut concentration dependent antibacterial and antifungal activities with additional variation of specific activity over Gram positive and negative bacteria, yeast and filamentous fungi. So, it is evident that ethanolic extract of Coccinia indica could be further escalating for mechanistic studies in the era of multidrug resistance, indigenous preparations from herbs could be a safe choice over clinically challenging organisms.
Abstract
Background
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a global public health problem. For the fulfillment of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the promotion of preventive care medicine through ...HAI management is a crucial issue. This study explores the perspectives of Saudi tertiary healthcare workers (HCWs) on HAIs and infection control measures.
Methods
Quantitative data were assessed to determine HCWs’ knowledge of HAI and their attitudes towards and practice of infection control measures. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect qualitative data from 40 doctors and nurses. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Further, routine sterile procedures in the wards and intensive care units were video recorded, and the footage was discussed by the infection control team and the personnel involved in the videos. This discussion was videographed and transcribed. Both interview data and reflective discussion of the video were analysed using thematic analysis. The quantitative data were analysed using the Kruskal–Wallis test and logistic regression analysis.
Results
Kruskal–Wallis test revealed no difference in mean knowledge, attitude, or practice scores between nurses/ doctors or the genders. There was a significant difference in knowledge score and practice scores between the Intensive care unit & the Paediatric ward /infection control department with the maximum scores in knowledge and practice among participants from the intensive care unit. Logistic regression analysis for dependent variables (knowledge and attitude) and independent variables like age, gender, designation, and departments was not significant. The qualitative data yielded four themes: knowledge of HAI and infection control, infection control measures in practice, a shortfall in infection control measures and HAI, and required implementation. Video-reflexive ethnography (VRE) revealed lapses in handwashing practice and proper usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), especially surgical masks.
Conclusion
Early introduction of training programmes in medical and nursing schools and video demonstrations of appropriate infection control practices during sterile procedures would be highly beneficial to HCWs. A possible reason for the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus in this part of Saudi Arabia could be a lapse in PPE usage. Intensive training programs for all the HCWs, strict vigilant protocols, and a willingness to change behaviour and practice, will significantly benefit the spread of outbreaks.
Lycopene, the potential antioxidant naturally occurring in red carotenoid pigment is found in many fruits and vegetables. In this work, antioxidant power and antimicrobial potentials of lycopene ...against the multidrug-resistant (MDR) Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae) and Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) were studied when added to ethanolic leaf extracts of Helianthus annuus (H. annuus). Supplementation of the lycopene along with ethanolic leaf extract of H. annuus indicates a 30 % enhancement in the antioxidant activity by 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and reduction of 24 % reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human fibroblast cells under calcium stress compared to leaf extract alone. The antibacterial activity of the leaf extract + lycopene showed improved bacterial inhibition as low as 40 and 70 μg of the leaf extract compared with extract alone against S. pyogenes and S. agalactiae respectively. Taken together, the observations show that the natural anti-oxidant, lycopene, when added to the extract enhanced the antibacterial activity at lower concentrations which could possibly reduce the larger dose as observed in alternative or complementary medical practices.
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