Prospects of microbial-engineering for the production of graphene and its derivatives: Application to design nanosystms for cancer theranostics.

Cancer is known as one of the leading causes of morbidity and fatality, currently faced by our society. The prevalence of cancer related dieses is rapidly increasing around the world. To reduce the mortality rates, early diagnosis and subsequent treatment of cancer in timely manner is quite essential. Advancements have been made to achieve effective theranostics strategies to tackle cancerous dieses, yet very challenging to overcome this issue. Recently, advances made in the field of nanotechnology have shown tremendous potential for cancer theranostics. Different types of nanomaterials have been successfully employed to develop sophisticated diagnosis and therapy techniques. In this context, graphene and its derivatives e.g. graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) have been investigated as promising candidates to design graphene-based nanosystems for the diagnosis and therapeutic purpose. Further, to synthesize graphene and its derivatives different types of physicochemical methods are being adopted. However, each method has its own advantage and disadvantages. In this reference, among diverse biological methods, microbial technique can be one of the most promising and eco-friendly approach for the preparation of graphene and its derivatives, particularly GO and RGO. In this review, we summarize studies performed on the preparation of graphene and its derivatives following microbial routes meanwhile focus has been made on the preparation method and the possible mechanism involved therein. Thereafter, we have discussed applications of graphene and its derivatives to developed advanced nanosystem that can be imperative for the cancer theranostics. Results of recent studies exploring applications graphene based nanosystem for the preparation of different types of biosensors for early diagnosis; advanced therapeutic approaches by designing drug delivery nanosystems along with multifunctionality (e.g cancer imaging, drug delivery, photodynamic and photo thermal therapy) in cancer theranostics have been discussed. Particularly, emphasis has been given on the preparation techniques of graphene based nanosystems, being employed in designing of biosensing platforms, drug delivery and multifunctional nanosystems. Moreover, issues have been discussed on the preparation of graphene and its derivatives following microbial technique and the implementation of graphene based nanosystems in cancer theranostics.

Molecular Role of Asn680Ser and Asp37Glu Missense Variants in Saudi Women with Female Infertility and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

Female infertility (FI) is a global health issue. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of FI. The renalase gene (RNLS) is associated with FI and other human diseases. Based on the documented missense variants, rs6166 and rs2296545 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were not identified in Saudi women with FI and PCOS. This study aimed to investigate the molecular role of the two SNPs in Saudi women with FI and PCOS. In this cross-sectional study, 96 healthy controls, 96 women with FI, and 96 women with PCOS were recruited. DNA was isolated, and polymerase chain reactions and Sanger sequencing analysis were performed using rs6166 and rs2296545 SNPs. The data obtained from the three groups were used to perform statistical analyses based on genotype, allele frequencies, regression models, and ANOVA analysis. Both rs6166 and rs2296545 had no role in FI or PCOS in Saudi women. A predicted reason for non-association in Saudi women could be the role of elderly women in the controls compared with women with FI and PCOS. Moreover, age, weight, and body mass index were higher in the control group than the FI and PCOS groups. In conclusion, rs6166 and rs2296545 SNPs were not associated with FI or PCOS in Saudi women.

Biomarkers of asthma relapse and lung function decline in adults with spontaneous asthma remission: A population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The extent to which biomarkers of asthma activity persist in spontaneous asthma remission and whether such markers are associated with future respiratory outcomes remained unclear. We investigated the association between sub-clinical inflammation in adults with spontaneous asthma remission and future asthma relapse and lung function decline. METHODS: The Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study is a population-based cohort (n = 8583). Biomarkers of systemic inflammation were measured on participants at age 45, and latent profile analysis was used to identify cytokine profiles. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and nitric oxide products in exhaled breath condensate (EBC NOx) were measured at age 50. Participants with spontaneous asthma remission at ages 45 (n = 466) and 50 (n = 318) were re-evaluated at age 53, and associations between baseline inflammatory biomarkers and subsequent asthma relapse and lung function decline were assessed. RESULTS: We identified three cytokine profiles in adults with spontaneous asthma remission: average (34%), Th2-high (42%) and Th2-low (24%). Compared to the average profile, a Th2-high profile was associated with accelerated decline in post-BD FEV1 /FVC (MD -0.18% predicted per-year; 95% CI -0.33, -0.02), while a Th2-low profile was associated with accelerated decline in both post-BD FEV1 (-0.41%; -0.75, -0.06) and post-BD FVC (-0.31%; -0.62, 0.01). BHR and high TNF-α during spontaneous remission were associated with an increased risk of asthma relapse. In contrast, we found no evidence of association between EBC NOx and either asthma relapse or lung function decline. CONCLUSION: BHR and serum inflammatory cytokines have prognostic value in adults with spontaneous asthma remission. At-risk individuals with BHR, Th2-high or Th2-low cytokine profiles may benefit from closer monitoring and on-going follow-up.

Silver Nanoparticles Loaded on Chitosan-g-PVA Hydrogel for the Wound-Healing Applications.

Silver nanoparticle composites have abundant biomedical applications due to their unique antibacterial properties. In the current work, green tea leaf extract was used as a natural reducing agent to synthesize AgNPs (AgNPs) using microwave irradiation technology. Furthermore, microwave irradiation has been used for the preparation of AgNPs/chitosan (Ch) grafted polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel samples. To approve the accomplishment of AgNPs hydrogel polymer, UV-spectrum, TEM, and FT-IR spectrum analyses and the release of silver ions, actions were taken. The wound-healing ability of the prepared hydrogel samples was measured via both the in vitro (fibroblast cells) and the in vivo using rat models. It was found that chitosan-grafted polyvinyl alcohol, including AgNPs, exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus using the agar diffusion method. It can be said that microwave irradiation was successful in creating a hydrogel that contained silver nanoparticles. A wound that was still open was successfully treated with these composites.

Effect of hematocrit, galactose and ascorbic acid on the blood glucose readings of three point-of-care glucometers.

Glucometers are commonly used in a variety of healthcare settings and use in critically ill patients should not be assumed without appropriate tool validation. The study objective was to evaluate the accuracy of three point-of-care glucometers (POCGs) to assess glucose concentration in human blood sample. The POCGs tested included three different instruments and utilized three factors (hematocrit [Hct], galactose and ascorbic acid) in glucose measurements to determine the glucometers' accuracy and compared to the reference laboratory biochemical analyzer (Cobs 8000, Roche, Basal, Switzerland). In this study, the Nova StatStrip glucometer showed no significant variation compared to the laboratory method at high glucose level with various Hct%. ACCU-Chek Inform II overestimated the glucose results at Hct 22% and underestimated at Hct 62%. The Freestyle glucometer showed lower glucose levels compared to the Cobas 8000 at Hct 62%. The ACCU-Check showed significant increase of blood glucose with low Hct% levels when compared to the laboratory method. The Freestyle showed a decreased level of glucose with high Hct 62% interference compared to the Cobas 8000. Galactose interference 100 and 200 mg/dL dramatically affected the accuracy of ACCU-Chek Inform II. Nevertheless, among all three POCGs in this study, the Nova StatStrip showed the most reliable and stable results for glucose level in the presence of interference. Especially, those in critical care units, whereas the Freestyle Precision Pro and ACCU-Chek Inform II were insufficiently accurate for critically ill patients.

Is short-term exposure to grass pollen adversely associated with lung function and airway inflammation in the community?

BACKGROUND: The association between grass pollen exposure and early markers of asthma exacerbations such as lung function changes and increase in airway inflammation is limited. We investigated the associations between short-term grass pollen exposure and lung function and airway inflammation in a community-based sample, and whether any such associations were modified by current asthma, current hay fever, pollen sensitization, age, and other environmental factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional and short-term analyses of data from the Melbourne Atopy Cohort Study (MACS) participants (n = 936). Lung function was assessed using spirometry. Airway inflammation was assessed by fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and exhaled breath condensate pH and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Daily pollen counts were collected using a volumetric spore trap. The associations were examined by linear regression. RESULTS: Higher ambient levels of grass pollen 2 days before (lag 2) were associated with lower mid-forced expiratory flow (FEF25%-75% ) and FEV1 /FVC ratio (Coef. [95% CI] = -119 [-226, -11] mL/s and -1.0 [-3.0, -0.03] %, respectively) and also 3 days before (lag 3). Increased levels of grass pollen a day before (lag 1) were associated with increased FeNO (4.35 [-0.1, 8.7] ppb) and also at lag 2. Adverse associations between pollen and multiple outcomes were greater in adults with current asthma, hay fever, and pollen sensitization. CONCLUSION: Grass pollen exposure was associated with eosinophilic airway inflammation 1-2 days after exposure and airway obstruction 2-3 days after exposure. Adults and individuals with asthma, hay fever, and pollen sensitization may be at higher risk.

Physcion Induces Hemolysis and Premature Phosphatidylserine Externalization in Human Erythrocytes.

The prevalence of cancer-associated anemia (CIA) is high, and the mechanisms governing its development remain poorly understood. Eryptosis, the suicidal cell death of red blood cells (RBCs), may account for CIA as it is triggered by clinically approved chemotherapeutics including cisplatin and paclitaxel. Physcion (PSN), an anthraquinone extracted from rhubarb and other plants, has shown great promise as an anticancer agent. However, the potential toxicity of PSN to RBCs remains elusive. RBCs were isolated from heparinized blood, and incubated with 10-100 µM of PSN for 24 h at 37 °C. Hemolysis was photometrically calculated from hemoglobin concentration in the medium at 405 nm, while flow cytometry was employed to investigate cardinal markers of eryptosis. Phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure was detected by Annexin-V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), intracellular calcium by Fluo4/AM, cellular volume from forward scatter (FSC), and oxidative stress by 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA). PSN induced overt hemolysis at 50 and 100 µM which was not mediated through calcium influx, protein kinase C, casein kinase 1α, or receptor-interacting protein 1. Moreover, PSN caused significant increase in Annexin-V-FITC and Fluo4 fluorescence with no appreciable influence on FSC or DCF values. Accordingly, PSN stimulates premature eryptosis characterized by PS externalization and intracellular calcium overload without cell shrinkage or oxidative damage. In conclusion, this report shows, for the first time, that PSN is cytotoxic to RBCs by inducing hemolysis and programmed cell death which may limit its success as a chemotherapeutic agent.

Knowledge, attitude, and beliefs toward group behavior therapy programs among male adults attending smoking cessation clinics, cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Group therapy assists individuals in learning many behavioral techniques for smoking cessation and providing each other with mutual support. Group behavior therapy is not routinely provided as a modality of tobacco cessation assistance in tobacco cessation clinics in Saudi Arabia despite it is effectiveness. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and beliefs toward group behavior therapy programs among male adults who attend smoking cessation clinics and to identify the associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a targeted sample of 229 males aged 18 and above who were attending smoking cessation clinics. The participants were randomly selected. Data were collected using a paper-based questionnaire. One-way ANOVA and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Results showed a high percentage of the study participants were in the age group of 21-40 years. Most of them were consuming 10-20 cigarettes per day. Around 79% of the participants had previous attempted to quit smoking. This study demonstrated a deficit in knowledge about group behavior therapy. The mean score for attitude and beliefs was 5.3 out of 11. Multiple factors influenced their attitudes and beliefs, such as previous attempts to quit smoking (p-value < 0.05) and the number of cigarettes used per day (p-value = 0.03). The knowledge was found to be affected by the level of education (p-value = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates a deficit in knowledge about group behavior therapy and it shows that the level of education was associated with the knowledge. Additionally, previous attempts to quit smoking and the number of cigarettes used per day, influenced the participants' attitude and beliefs toward group behavioral therapy. Increase awareness about the role of group behavior therapy in smoking cessation is required before this method is implemented in the routine practice.

Sources of Health Information and Their Impacts on Medical Knowledge Perception Among the Saudi Arabian Population: Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Having a reliable source for health information is vital to build a strong foundation of knowledge, especially with the current revolution of the internet and social media, which raises many concerns regarding harmful effects on the health of the public. However, there are no studies on how the Saudi Arabian population seeks health information. Details about the most used and trusted sources of health information among the public will help health authorities and public awareness accounts on social media to effectively disseminate health information. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the types of sources accessed by the Saudi Arabian population while seeking health information, as well as their level of trust in the sources and to assess the impact of these sources on their perception of medical knowledge and health decision-making. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to meet the objectives. The study population included both men and women who were aged 16 years or more and visited primary care clinics at King Khalid University Hospital. Four hundred and thirteen participants were sampled using the simple random method, and a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (IBM Corp, Armonk, New York, USA). RESULTS: A total of 413 participants were included in this study, and of these, 99 (24.0%) were males and 206 (49.9%) had a bachelor's degree. Doctors were chosen as the first source of information by 87.6% (283/323) of the participants, and they were completely trusted by most of the population (326/411, 79.3%). The second most commonly used source was pharmacists (112/194, 57.7%), and they were partially trusted by 41.4% (159/384) of the participants. Internet searches, social media, and traditional medicine were not prioritized by most of the participants as the first or second source of health information. The majority of the participants did not trust information obtained from social media, and WhatsApp was the most untrusted source. Almost half of the respondents (197/413, 47.7%) acknowledged that various sources of information can often help them understand their health problems. However, the majority disagreed on substituting a doctor's prescription with information obtained from the internet or a friend or relative. CONCLUSIONS: Although physicians were preferred and highly trusted, internet sources appeared to impact the medical knowledge of the population. The population still preferred to use internet search to obtain health information prior to a doctor's visit.

NOx in exhaled breath condensate is related to allergic sensitization in young and middle-aged adults.

BACKGROUND: Asthma and allergic diseases are heterogeneous. Measurement of biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) may help to discriminate between different phenotypes and may assist with clinical prognostication. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess associations between total nitric oxide products (NOx ) in EBC and different allergic phenotypes and lung function in young and middle-aged adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional analyses were nested within two Australian longitudinal studies, the Melbourne Atopy Cohort Study (MACS, mean age 17.8 years) and the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS, mean age 49.4 years). Levels of EBC NOx were determined by Griess-reaction fluorescent method. Associations were assessed between EBC NOx and different allergic phenotypes, lung function and airway reactivity. RESULTS: Atopy, with or without asthma or rhinitis, was associated with increased EBC NOx levels particularly in individuals with poly-aero-sensitization. These findings were generally consistent across the two age groups. In the older cohort, use of ICS in the previous 12 months masked the association between sensitization and EBC NOx (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.21-1.96, p for interaction = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In these population-based samples, EBC NOx was most strongly associated with atopic sensitization, rather than either current asthma or rhinitis, possibly indicating underlying increased airway inflammation associated with atopy. Therefore, EBC NOx could be a key predictor of atopy in both young and middle-aged adults, regardless of the presence of concomitant asthma or rhinitis.

Modulation of lncRNA NEAT1 overturns the macrophages based immune response in M. tuberculosis infected patients via miR-373 regulation.

There is a lack of studies which explore and clarify the interactions that occur between host macrophage and Mycobacterium tuberculosis with regard to microRNA such as LNCNEAT1 and miR-373. The current study determines the mechanisms involved in the control of M. tuberculosis infection by macrophage using LNCNEAT1 and miR-373. The researchers collected different samples from healthy individuals, pulmonary TB patients, and samples like hMDMs cells and H37Rv infected MTB to determine the concentrations of inflammatory factors. The impact of NEAT1 and miR-373 upon macrophages was analyzed in NEAT1-specific siRNA (si-NEAT1), NEAT1 over-expression vector (pcDNA3.1-NEAT1), miR-373 mimic, miR-373 inhibitor (anti-miR-373), and negative control, and macrophages infected with H37Ra. The results inferred that among pulmonary TB patients, NEAT1 got heavily expressed while the expression level of miR-373 was poor. The number of inflammatory factors with pulmonary TB was notably higher. This got further amplified in macrophages after being infected with H37Ra, while no such observations found for miR-373. During post-transfection, low concentration of inflammatory factors was observed while the cells in si-NEAT1 group got proliferated in low volume compared to both pcDNA3.1-NEAT1 group and NEAT1 negative control group. However, the capability of apoptosis was higher compared to the other two groups (p < 0.05). There was an increase observed in inflammatory factors as well as proliferation in anti-miR-373 group compared to miR-373 mimics and miR-373-negative control group while a significant decline was observed in apoptosis. LNCNEAT1 aggravated the number of inflammatory factors in macrophages that got infected with MTB while on the other end, it mitigated both phagocytosis as well as the cellular immunity of macrophages. In addition to this, it enhanced the proliferation of infected cells and inhibited apoptosis via targeted regulation of miR-373, thus resulting in the development of TB.

RETRACTED: Aldakheel et al. Employing of Curcumin-Silver Nanoparticle-Incorporated Sodium Alginate-Co-Acacia Gum Film Hydrogels for Wound Dressing. Gels 2023, 9, 780.

The Gels Editorial Office retracts the article, "Employing of Curcumin-Silver Nanoparticle-Incorporated Sodium Alginate-Co-Acacia Gum Film Hydrogels for Wound Dressing" [...].

Structure-based multitargeted docking screening, pharmacokinetics, DFT, and dynamics simulation studies reveal mitoglitazone as a potent inhibitor of cellular survival and stress response proteins of lung cancer.

Lung cancer is a disease in which lung cells grow abnormally and uncontrollably, and the cause of it is direct smoking, secondhand smoke, radon, asbestos, and certain chemicals. The worldwide leading cause of death is lung cancer, which is responsible for more than 1.8 million deaths yearly and is expected to rise to 2.2 million by 2030. The most common type of lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for about 80% and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which is more aggressive than NSCLC and is often diagnosed later and accounts for 20% of cases. The global concern for lung cancer demands efficient drugs with the slightest chance of developing resistance, and the idea of multitargeted drug designing came up with the solution. In this study, we have performed multitargeted molecular docking studies of Drug Bank compounds with HTVS, SP and XP algorithms followed by MM\GBSA against the four proteins of lung cancer cellular survival and stress responses, which revealed Mitoglitazone as a multitargeted inhibitor with a docking and MM\GBSA score ranging from - 5.784 to - 7.739 kcal/mol and - 25.81 to - 47.65kcal/mol, respectively. Moreover, we performed pharmacokinetics studies and QM-based DFT analysis, showing suitable candidate and interaction pattern analysis revealed the most count of interacting residues was 4GLY, 5PHE, 6ASP, 6GLU, 6LYS, and 6THR. Further, the results were validated with SPC water model-based MD simulation for 100ns in neutralised condition, showing the cumulative deviation and fluctuation < 2Å with many intermolecular interactions. The whole analysis has suggested that Mitoglitazone can be used as a multitargeted inhibitor against lung cancer-however, experimental studies are needed before human use.

Apigenin: A Bioflavonoid with a Promising Role in Disease Prevention and Treatment.

Apigenin is a powerful flavone compound found in numerous fruits and vegetables, and it offers numerous health-promoting benefits. Many studies have evidenced that this compound has a potential role as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound, making it a promising candidate for reducing the risk of pathogenesis. It has also been found to positively affect various systems in the body, such as the respiratory, digestive, immune, and reproductive systems. Apigenin is effective in treating liver, lung, heart, kidney, neurological diseases, diabetes, and maintaining good oral and skin health. Multiple studies have reported that this compound is capable of suppressing various types of cancer through the induction of apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest, suppressing cell migration and invasion, reduction of inflammation, and inhibiting angiogenesis. When used in combination with other drugs, apigenin increases their efficacy, reduces the risk of side effects, and improves the response to chemotherapy. This review broadly analyzes apigenin's potential in disease management by modulating various biological activities. In addition, this review also described apigenin's interaction with other compounds or drugs and the potential role of nanoformulation in different pathogeneses. Further extensive research is needed to explore the mechanism of action, safety, and efficacy of this compound in disease prevention and treatment.

Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Loaded in Polysaccharide Hydrogel Applied to Chronic Wound Healing in Mice Models.

The prevalence of chronic wounds is increasing owing to the expanding population and the growing number of individuals suffering from diabetes. Such a chronic wound continues to be a significant healthcare burden for diabetic patients because it frequently carries a high chance of limb loss due to amputation and reduces survival as a result. Development of innovative wound dressing materials with the potential to stop bacterial infections and accelerate the process of tissue regeneration is needed to increase the effectiveness of diabetic wound healing. In the current study, a co-polymerization process based on a free radical reaction was used to create a hydrogel of polysaccharides blend graft acrylamide (PsB-g-Am). Starch, chitosan, and alginate make up the polysaccharides blend (PsB). The produced hydrogel's structure was characterized using FTIR spectroscopy. The antibacterial activities of silver nanoparticles synthesized through the green method using garlic bulb (Allium sativum) is reported. The silver nanoparticles' physical characteristics were examined using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy analysis, and UV-visible spectroscopy and they were found to range in size from 50 to 100 nm. The agar well diffusion technique is used to investigate the antibacterial characteristics. Inclusion of silver nanoparticles in the hydrogels demonstrated concentration-dependent antibacterial behavior against Gram-negative Klebsiella pneumoniae and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus during antimicrobial testing of the hydrogels. When hydrogels were applied to diabetic mice, the system was examined for its healing abilities, and positive therapeutic results were obtained in as little as 14 days. Thus, it can be inferred that graft copolymer of chitosan-AgNPs hydrogels can promote healing in chronic wounds over time and can be utilized as an alternative to conventional therapies for chronic wounds (such as those brought on by diabetes) in mouse models.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Loaded Hydrogel for Wound Healing; Systematic Review.

Wound healing is a biological process that involves a series of consecutive process, and its impairment can lead to chronic wounds and various complications. Recently, there has been a growing interest in employing nanotechnology to enhance wound healing. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have expanded significant attention due to their wide range of applications in the medical field. The advantages of AgNPs include their easy synthesis, change their shape, and high surface area. Silver nanoparticles are very efficient for topical drug administration and wound healing because of their high ratio of surface area to volume. The efficiency of AgNPs depends on the synthesis method and the intended application. Green synthesis methods offer an eco-friendly approach by utilizing natural sources such as plant extracts and fungus. The characterization of nanoparticles plays an important character, and it is accomplished through the use of several characterization methods such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). These techniques are employed to confirm the specific characters of the prepared Silver Nanoparticles. Additionally, the review addresses the challenges and future perspectives of utilizing green-synthesized AgNPs loaded in Polyacrylamide hydrogel for wound healing applications, including the optimization of nanoparticle size, and release kinetics. Overall, this review highlights the potential of green-synthesized AgNPs loaded in Polyacrylamide hydrogel as promising for advanced wound healing therapies. There are different approaches of usage of AgNPs for wound healing such as polyacrylamide -hydrogels, and the mechanism after their antibacterial action, have been exposed.

Employing of Curcumin-Silver Nanoparticle-Incorporated Sodium Alginate-Co-Acacia Gum Film Hydrogels for Wound Dressing.

Skin wound healing is time-consuming and frequently accompanied by bacterial infections and the development of scars. The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains has sparked a growing interest in naturally occurring bioactive substances, like curcumin, that possess wound-healing capabilities. Silver is a natural antimicrobial agent, and finds extensive use in specialized wound dressings. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using an eco-friendly approach, employing curcumin. The prepared nanoparticles have been characterized using TEM, DLS, and zeta potential. The prepared AgNPs were loaded on sodium alginate-co-gum arabic hydrogel. Two hydrogel samples (with and without AgNPs) have been applied for wound healing. The developed silver nanoparticles that were created exhibited effective action against both types of bacteria, namely Gram-negative and Gram-positive. Alg-co-AG-AgNPs demonstrated faster wound healing rates compared to using the control hydrogel sample. The novel dressings of curcumin-silver nanoparticle-incorporated sodium alginate-co-gum arabic hydrogels (Alg-co-AG-AgNPs) exhibited exceptional biocompatibility and have the potential to serve as a wound dressing that possesses antibacterial properties and reduces scarring.

Immune cell ratio and coagulation markers in assessing prognosis of asthma: a cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia.

Asthma affects a significant number of individuals in Saudi Arabia, with increasing prevalence worldwide, leading to a considerable impact on their quality of life and frequent hospitalizations. In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship between the immune cell ratio and coagulation markers, specifically to identify the occurrence of coagulation abnormalities associated with asthma. To achieve this, we assessed asthma history and severity using a questionnaire while analyzing coagulation biomarkers through venous blood samples. The biomarkers examined included d-dimer, prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), and the international normalized ratio (INR). In addition, we evaluated various hematological parameters such as blood cell counts and hemoglobin (HGB) levels. Our findings revealed compelling evidence, showing significantly elevated levels of d-dimer and the eosinophil-to-neutrophil (ENR) ratio in asthma cases compared to the controls. Moreover, we observed a positive correlation between d-dimer levels and the ENR, with each unit increase in d-dimer associated with a 0.0006 increase in the ENR among asthma cases. These results highlight the potential of assessing ENR and d-dimer levels as predictive indicators for disease prognosis and the development of coagulation abnormalities in individuals with asthma. By shedding light on the relationship between immune cell ratios and coagulation markers in the context of asthma, our study contributes to a better understanding of disease progression and the associated complications. These insights can potentially lead to improved management strategies and better outcomes for asthma patients.

The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Uptake Among Patients Visiting a University Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Influenza vaccination is a subject of importance in Saudi Arabia. The study measured the uptake of annual influenza vaccination from 2019 to 2021 among patients attending outpatient clinic of a University Hospital.  Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, and the questionnaire was administered by trained interviewers. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 (IBM, Armonk, New York).  Results: The three-year annual influenza vaccine uptake for 2019-2021 was 19.7%, 11.4%, and 14.2%, respectively. In the year 2022, only 28.2% of the patients were offered influenza vaccines by their physicians, and among those offered, 49.6% showed vaccine acceptance. Higher vaccine acceptance was significantly associated with past episodes of influenza infection (p<0.001) and vaccination history before the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001). Lower acceptance of the influenza vaccine was observed during the pandemic (p<0.001) and lower uptake among those who were not offered influenza vaccines (p=0.02). No association was found between influenza vaccine acceptance and smoking status, chronic illness, history of COVID-19 infection, or living with those susceptible to influenza. Reasons for vaccine denial include an assumption of not being at risk, a lack of information about the vaccine, and a fear of side effects. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on annual influenza vaccination. Efforts must be taken to increase influenza vaccination among vulnerable groups.

Clinical Assessment of Cytokine Profiles and Haematological Parameters in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Cross-Sectional Study from Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related hematological disorders have different pathogenic mechanisms involving immune dysregulation as well as microangiopathy. The current study aimed to assess the relationship between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and SLE-related hematological abnormalities for Saudi Patients. METHODS: The current cross-sectional study including 140 participants was performed at the Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Hospital (PMAH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Two blood samples were collected from each of the study participants for evaluation of the haematological indices including complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and cytokine profile (i.e., tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10)). Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) software, v25. RESULTS: Haematological abnormalities were documented in 63% of SLE patients, and anaemia was the highest at 52%. Haemoglobin levels were found to be significantly lower among SLE patients compared to the controls (p < 0.001). In the cytokine profiles, the levels of TNF-α (p < 0.001), IL-6 (p < 0.001), and IL-10 (p = 0.009) were significantly higher among SLE patients compared to the controls. A positive correlation was also identified between TNF-α, platelet count, red cell distribution width (RDW), and ESR. CONCLUSIONS: Haematological abnormalities were found to be the most common among SLE patients. Further, the correlation between cytokine profile and haematological indices indicates the influence of cytokines in the development of haematological abnormalities. Understanding hematological abnormalities and cytokines' role in the pathogenesis of these abnormalities may aid in the early diagnosis and development of more specific SLE disease therapies.