Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody among healthy blood donors: a single centre study.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2(SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of corona virus disease-2019(COVID- 19) which has led to a global pandemic. The true extent of the burden of COVID-19 may be underestimated, and there is need to know the current prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody in population. METHODS: The present study was a cross-sectional study to assess prevalence of SARS-CoV- 2 IgG antibody among 586 healthy voluntary blood donors who donated whole blood between mid-December 2020 to January 2021. A chemiluminescence assay was used to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody in serum samples in addition to recommended transfusion transmitted infections tests and Signal to Cut Off (S/C) > 1 was considered as reactive for antibody as per manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: In the present study, 586 healthy voluntary blood donors were enrolled and were screened for SARS- CoV-2 IgG antibody. Out of 586 donors, 52 donors had indeterminate values of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody. A total of 534 healthy voluntary blood donors' samples were included in the present study for analysis. Out of total 534 healthy blood donors, 42.88% (229) were found to be seropositive while 57.11% (305) were found to be seronegative. CONCLUSION: A 43% positivity of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody among healthy blood donors was detected which is an indication of presence of infection at community level and majority of the population already has been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, there was no statistically significant association of type of blood group and age with seropositivity.

Expatiating the molecular approaches of HMGB1 in diabetes mellitus: Highlighting signalling pathways via RAGE and TLRs.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become one of the major healthcare challenges worldwide in the recent times and inflammation being one of its key pathogenic process/mechanism affect several body parts including the peripheral and central nervous system. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is one of the major non-histone proteins that plays a key role in triggering the inflammatory response. Upon its release into the extracellular milieu, HMGB1 acts as an "alarmin" for the immune system to initiate tissue repair as a component of the host defense system. Furthermore, HMGB1 along with its downstream receptors like Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and receptors for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) serve as the suitable target for DM. The forthcoming research in the field of diabetes would potentially focus on the development of alternative approaches to target the centre of inflammation that is primarily mediated by HMGB1 to improve diabetic-related complications. This review covers the therapeutic actions of HMGB1 protein, which acts by activating the RAGE and TLR molecules to constitute a functional tripod system, in turn activating NF-κB pathway that contributes to the production of mediators for pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with DM. The interaction between TLR2 and TLR4 with ligands present in the host and the activation of RAGE stimulates various immune and metabolic responses that contribute to diabetes. This review emphasizes to elucidate the role of HMGB1 in the initiation and progression of DM and control over the inflammatory tripod as a promising therapeutic approach in the management of DM.

Prevalence of anti-HLA antibodies in COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors: an Indian experience.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 convalescent plasma is one of the experimental therapies used widely in moderately sick COVID-19 patients. However, there are a few risks involved in plasma transfusion; notably, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) caused by antibodies against human leukocyte antigens (HLA). This study was designed to assess the prevalence of anti-HLA antibodies in convalescent plasma donors using the single antigen bead method. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a hospital-based observational study of consecutive plasma donors. A total of 252 samples were screened for anti-HLA Class I and Class II antibodies using the microbead assay with the identification of anti-HLA Ab in positive samples being performed using a single antigen bead assay. Luminex-based normalized background cutoff ratios of 10.8 for Class I and 6.9 for Class II and mean fluorescence intensity cutoffs of 2500 for Class I and 1500 for Class II were used for screening and the single bead assay, respectively. RESULTS: Of 252 screened samples, 28 (11.1 %) were positive for Class I, Class II or both Class I and Class II anti-HLA antibodies in donors with no history of a previous immunizing event. Moreover, 20/252 (7.9%) donors without any history of prior immunization had specific anti-HLA antibodies of Class I or Class II or both by the single bead assay. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of anti-HLA antibodies in our cohort of donors raises an urgent and immediate need for anti-HLA antibody screening in all convalescent plasma donors for safe therapy of COVID-19 patients.

Tridax procumbens Ameliorates Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Neuropathy in Rats via Modulating Angiogenic, Inflammatory, and Oxidative Pathways.

Tridax procumbens (TP) is a traditional Indian therapeutic plant and was evaluated for its blood glucose lowering abilities, as well as for its ability to curb diabetic neuropathy (DN). Administrating 45 mg/kg body weight of streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneally for four weeks, DN was induced in Wistar rats. After the rats' tails were clipped, the blood glucose levels were measured. Body weight and urine volume were also assessed. Oxidative stress makers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), catalase (CAT), inflammatory cytokines for instance tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-1ß were estimated. Further, protein kinase C (PKC-ß) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were also estimated as angiogenic markers. Behavioral parameters were also evaluated by using cold allodynia using acetone test, hot allodynia using Eddy's hot plate, grip strength test using Rota rod, and hyperalgesia test using Tail flick technique. The statistical assessment of findings was done employing one-way (ANOVA) analysis of variance, and subsequently Turkey as post hoc with GraphPad Prism software package. The ingestion of TP for 1 month in DN rats stemmed in a substantial decline in blood glucose concentrations matched to nontreated rats with DN. There had been a considerable improvement in DN as evident from the finding from biochemical markers. The serum level of antioxidant defense enzymes was significantly increased, while the activities of TBARS had been substantially reduced in the TP treated rats with DN. TP averted DN-triggered surge levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum. Further, PKC-ß and VEGF concentrations had been also reduced by the treatment TP. The findings of this research demonstrated that the restorative impact of TP on DN rats might be linked to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative antiangiogenic retorts.

Antenatal and perinatal care in an ICDS area: progress made in 19 years.

ICDS program has made significant improvement in availability and utilization of antenatal and natal care including IFA supplementation, TT administration and delivery by trained personnel. However, postnatal care and promotion and initiation of breastfeeding within 2 hours of birth still remain deficit areas.