Blood Biomarkers of Neonatal Sepsis with Special Emphasis on the Monocyte Distribution Width Value as an Early Sepsis Index.

Background and Objectives: Early detection of neonatal sepsis is critical because it is potentially fatal. Therefore, sepsis biomarkers of sufficient sensitivity and specificity are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of peripheral blood parameters as neonatal sepsis biomarkers and the diagnostic performance of the monocyte distribution width (MDW) in sepsis in a neonatal intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2019 to August 2020 at the King Saud University Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Samples were collected and organised as follows: 77 study cases were subdivided into two subgroups (other health complication (49) and sepsis (28)), and there were 70 controls. The causative microorganisms of neonatal sepsis were isolated. Peripheral blood samples were collected from each neonate in an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tube for a complete blood count and a leukocyte differential count. Moreover, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to measure the diagnostic performance of the MDW. Results: The haematological parameters and neonatal sepsis cases had a considerable correlation. The MDW was the most significant haematological parameter. The ROC analysis of the MDW demonstrated that the area under the curve was 0.89 (95% confidence interval: 0.867 to 0.998) with a sensitivity of 89.3%, a specificity of 88.2%, and a negative predictive value of 97.2% at the cut-off point of 23. Conclusions: The use of haematological parameters is feasible and can be performed rapidly. Neonatal sepsis showed a strong correlation with leukopenia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and an elevated MDW value. Moreover, the ROC curve analysis confirmed the high diagnostic ability of the MDW in neonatal sepsis prediction.

Nephroprotective Efficacy of Echinops spinosus against a Glycerol-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Model.

Nephroprotection or renal rescue is to revive and restore kidney function after damage, with no need for further dialysis. During acute kidney injury (AKI), sudden and recent reductions in kidney functions occur. Causes are multiple, and prompt intervention can be critical to diminish or prevent morbidity. Echinops spinosus (ES) is a curative plant with proven pharmacological and biological effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial competencies. The principal goal of this research is to scrutinize the nephroprotective features of E. spinosa extract (ESE) against glycerol-induced AKI. Male Wistar albino rats were equally divided into five separated groups: negative control rats (vehicle-injected), ESE control rats (ESE-treated rats), positive control rats, glycerol-induced AKI-model rats (single IM injection of 50% glycerol), and 2 groups of diseased rats but pretreated with different concentrations of ESE for 7 days (ESE150 + AKI rats and ESE250 + AKI rats). Kidney tissues were collected and used for histopathology analysis. The relative kidney weight percentage was assessed. ESE effects were investigated via scanning several biomarkers, such as serum urea and creatinine, as kidney function biomarkers. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) activities were examined as rhabdomyolysis (RM) indicators. Kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were also examined to investigate kidney injury. Enzymatic and nonenzymatic oxidative stress markers were analyzed, namely, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and reduced glutathione GSH. Proinflammatory cytokine [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 ß (IL-1ß)] and the renal proapoptotic protein (Bax) and antiapoptotic protein (Bcl-2) levels were evaluated. Statistical analysis for the resulting data revealed that ESE pretreatment turned AKI-induced biological antioxidant levels to an extent comparable to normal results. Furthermore, ESE decreased kidney function markers and RM-related biomarkers (LDH, CK, Kim-1, and NGAL) compared to those in untreated AKI-model rats. ESE treatment dropped the apoptotic renal Bax levels, enhanced antiapoptotic Bcl-2 manufacture, and disallowed the release of IL-1ß and TNF-α. This study revealed the protective effect of ESE as therapeutic medicine against AKI-encouraged oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. It can be effectively used as adjuvant therapy, helping in renal rescue, and for kidney healing in cases with risk factors of AKI.

Osteoclastogenesis and lymph node organogenesis in different species of Egyptian rats.

The development of lymphoid organs depends on the correct expression of several molecules within a defined timeframe during ontogeny. Although this is an extremely complex process, with each secondary lymphoid tissue requiring subtly different signals, a common framework for lymphoid development is beginning to emerge. Bone remodeling is tightly regulated by a molecular trial composed of OPG/RANK/RANKL. The receptor activator of RANKL (localized on osteoblasts) enhances osteoclastogenesis via interaction with its receptor RANK (localized on osteoclasts), whereas osteoprotegerin (OPG) (produced by osteoblasts) inhibits this osteoclastogenesis by binding to RANKL. The RANK provides critical signals necessary for lymph node organogenesis and osteoclast differentiation. The TNF family molecule OPGL has been identified as a potential osteoclast differentiation factor and regulator of interactions between T cells and dendritic cells in vitro. Thus OPGL is a new regulator of lymph node organogenesis and lymphocyte development and is an essential osteoclast differentiation factor in vivo: So, the result of this study showed that lymph node organogenesis appears to require adequate quantity of RANKL, and this significant level can apparently persist despite marked overexpression of the soluble RANKL inhibitor OPG.

Antiviral immunity in the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii: hemocyte production, proliferation and apoptosis.

In the present study, the pathogenic mechanism of white spot syndrome (WSSV) in crayfish, Procambarus clarkii by investigating activities of immune cells related to innate immune function during infection was explored. White spot disease caused by WSSV leads to devastating losses in crayfish farming. Examination by transmission electron microscopy revealed abundant WSSV particles and significant changes in the different lymphoid organs of infected crayfish. WSSV infection caused parts of the gill epithelium and microvilli to be reduced in number and size or damaged, meanwhile, the mitochondria, morphology changed, with parts of the cristae diminished leaving large vacuoles. Moreover, electron dense deposits appeared and hetero-chromatinized nuclei could be seen in blood cells with ruptured nuclear membranes and outflow of nucleoplasm. Also, evident were very densely basophilic inclusions were found in interstitial hepato-pancreatic tissue, connective tissue underlying the mid gut, cardiac tissue, gill tissue and hematopoietic tissue. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of previously undescribed rod-shaped, enveloped versions in the cytoplasm adjacent to the nuclei of cells from various tissues.

Immunological and molecular detection of digenetic infections in different species of Egyptian freshwater snails.

Due to the possibility of utilizing different snails in the combat of Schistosoma in Egypt; it is important to study the role it may play in transmitting other trematodes of medical and veterinary importance. Taking this background into consideration, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was designed to identify trematode species at larval stages in intermediate hosts (cercariae in snails) using a combination of standard and molecular methods. This PCR assay was also applied to naturally infected molluscan in order to assess the use of the procedure for detection. The importance of the present study was to demonstrate the epidemiological situation and application in control.

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis infection induces apoptosis in different species of Tilapia.

The parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) is one of the most important protozoan pathogens of freshwater fish worldwide. Examination of 4 species of Tilapia from the River Nile recorded highest rate infection in Oreochromis niloticus, followed by Oreochromis aureus, Sarotherodon galilaeus and Tilapia zilli. By electron microscopy, apoptotic cells collected from Tilapia species infected with "Ich" showed an aggregation on the apical and basal parts of the ciliated and non-ciliated endothelial lining the gill epithelium. Ultrastructural analysis showed that the chromatin in the liver of Ich-infected O. niloticus was highly condensed and massed at the center of the nucleus. UItrastructural analysis of "Ich" infected O. aureus showed that the nuclear membrane of hepatocytes was also shrunken. In S. galilaeus, chromatin was highly condensed, fragmented and massed at the nuclear center, occasionally forming crescent-shaped masses. Ultrastructural of O. niloticus spleen showed that the macrophage number was comparatively high as compared to control. In O. aureus, damaged splenic cell number did not change, and phagocytic capacity of macrophages was not very high. In Ich-infected S. galilaeus, a marked decrease in splenic cells number was seen. Analysis of DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis on gill, liver and spleen cells showed a ladder of DNA fragments in multiple of 180bp in length, pointing to an internucleosomal DNA cleavage.