RESUMO
Vaccine uptake could influence vaccination efforts to control the widespread COVID-19 pandemic; however, little is known about vaccine acceptance in Saudi Arabia. The present study aimed to assess the Saudi public's intent to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and explore the associated demographic determinants of their intentions as well as the reasons for vaccine hesitancy. A cross-sectional, web-based survey was distributed to public individuals in Saudi Arabia between 25 December 2020 and 15 February 2021. Participants were asked if they were willing to get vaccinated, and the responses, along with demographic data were entered into a multinomial logistic regression model to assess the relative risk ratio (RRR) for responding "no" or "unsure" versus "yes". Among 3048 participants (60.1% female, 89.5% Saudi), 52.9% intend to get vaccinated, 26.8% were unsure, and 20.3% refused vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy was significantly higher among females (RRR = 2.70, p < 0.0001) and those who had not been recently vaccinated for influenza (RRR = 2.63, p < 0.0001). The likelihood was lower among Saudis (RRR = 0.49, p < 0.0001), those with less than a secondary education (RRR = 0.16, p < 0.0001), perceived risks of COVID-19, and residents of the southern region (RRR = 0.46, p < 0.0001). The most often cited reasons for hesitancy were short clinical testing periods and concerns about adverse events or effectiveness. Vaccine hesitancy is mediated by many demographic factors and personal beliefs. To address vaccine-related concerns and amend deeply rooted health beliefs, communication should provide transparent information.
RESUMO
Caspases are key intracellular molecules in the control of apoptosis, but little is known concerning their relative contribution to the cascade of events leading to eosinophil apoptosis. We examined caspase-3, -8, and -9 activities in receptor ligation dependent apoptosis induction in the cultured eosinophils (CE). CE cultured alone for 48 hours exhibited constitutive apoptosis (12% ± 1.2). Significant (P < 0.05) enhancement of eosinophil apoptosis was observed following monoclonal antibody (Mab) treatment with CD45 (40% ± 0.7), CD95 (36% ± 1.6), or CD69 (34% ± 0.2). Caspase activity was analysed using the novel CaspaTagTM technique and flow cytometry. CE ligated with CD45 (Bra55), CD95 (Fas) and CD69 Mab resulted in caspase-3 and -9 activation after 16 hours post-ligation. This trend in caspase-3 and -9 activation continued to increase significantly through to the 20 and 24 hours time points when compared to isotype control. Activated up-stream caspase-8 was detected 16 and 20 hours after treatment with CD45, CD95 and CD69 Mab followed by a trend toward basal levels at 24 hours. Ligation of CD95 was followed by mitochondrial permeabilization, as demonstrated by marked increase in mitochondrial transmembrane potential ([Formula: see text]) at all time points. However, ligation with CD45 and CD69 failed to induce a change in [Formula: see text] at 16 hours post-treatment compared to isotype control even though there was an alteration in mitochondrial downstream-caspase activity following ligation with these Mab(s) at this time point. At 20 and 24 hours post-ligation, CD45 or CD69 induce significantly altered levels of [Formula: see text]. Thus, the intrinsic and extrinsic caspase pathways are involved in controlling receptor ligation-mediated apoptosis induction in human eosinophils, findings that may aid the development of a more targeted, anti inflammatory therapy for asthma.