Determination of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels in hematology-oncology patients after COVID-19 vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer patients are among the high-risk groups where COVID-19 infection tends to be severe and can lead to increased mortality. Therefore, they are included in the priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed to compare the levels of SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies following two different COVID-19 vaccinations between hematology-oncology patients and healthcare personnel and to identify factors associated with these antibody levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted with 91 hematology-oncology patients (cancer group) and 75 healthcare personnel (control group) from January 2020 to June 2023. The cancer and control groups comprised adults who had received a booster dose, with either a single dose of BNT162b2 or two doses of CoronaVac™ spaced one month apart, following their primary vaccination with two doses of either CoronaVac™ or BNT162b2. Four weeks after the administration of the booster dose, levels of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were assessed using an ELISA kit. Antibody levels above 50 AU/mL were accepted as signifying seropositivity. RESULTS: The median SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody level was lower in the cancer group compared to the control group (4,509 vs. 7,268, p = 0.004), while the rate of seroconversion was similar between the groups (97.8% vs. 100%, p = 0.564). In the cancer group, no association was found between SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels and age, sex, comorbidity, type of malignancy, stage and duration, or type of vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: In cancer patients, the seroconversion positivity rate was about 98%. However, antibody responses were still lower compared to the control group. No difference was detected in antibody levels among cancer patients based on the type of vaccine.

The effect of immunonutrition on bacterial translocation, and intestinal villus atrophy in experimental obstructive jaundice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Spontaneous bacterial infection and septicemia due to increased bacterial translocation (BT) in patients with obstructive jaundice result in significant morbidity and mortality. The present study evaluates the effects of enteral nutrition with immune enhancing feeds on BT and intestinal villus histopathology promoted by obstructive jaundice. METHODS: Fifty male Wistar-albino rats weighing 250-300g were assigned into five equal groups of 10. Animals in Groups I, II, and III were fed with standard chow, those in Group IV were given glutamine 1g/kg/day and the remaining 10 animals in Group V were fed with an arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, and RNA-supplemented enteral diet for (1g/kg/day amino acid and 230 kcal/kg) 7 days preoperatively. Group I underwent sham operation and the remaining animals in all other groups underwent common bile duct ligation. After operation, Group I had standard chow, Groups II and IV had glutamine, Groups III and V had an arginine omega-3 fatty acids, and RNA-supplemented enteral diet for 7 days. All animals were sacrificed on the 8th postoperative day and evaluated both biochemically and histopathologically. Samples from blood, liver, mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen were cultured under aerobic conditions. RESULTS: Significantly less BT was observed in groups fed with an arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, and RNA-supplemented enteral diet or glutamine in pre-and postoperative periods as compared to others (P<0.001). Histologic evaluation also showed significant reduction in villus atrophy in these groups. CONCLUSIONS: Enteral immunonutrition using glutamine or arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, and RNA-supplemented enteral diet during both pre-and postoperative periods seems to reduce BT and decrease atrophy of intestinal mucosal villi in rats with obstructive jaundice.

The presence of hemorrhagic shock increases the rate of bacterial translocation in blunt abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis and multisystem organ failure are common after hemorrhagic shock. The aims of this study were to determine whether hemorrhagic shock would promote the translocation of bacteria and if it correlates with clinical outcome in patients with blunt abdominal trauma. METHODS: Twenty-six patients requiring laparotomy for blunt abdominal trauma (group I) and 30 patients operated electively (group II) were studied. Injury Severity Score, Trauma Score, and Acute Physiology and Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score were recorded before the operation. Peritoneal swab, mesenteric lymph node, portal venous blood, liver wedge biopsy, and spleen biopsy (in splenectomized patients) were sampled for culture after surgical hemostasis. Additionally, peripheral blood samples were taken preoperatively and postoperatively in group I patients for culture. The same samples were taken in group II patients except for the spleen biopsy. Moreover, patients in group I were further subdivided into subgroups A and B, indicating the presence or absence, respectively, of hemorrhagic shock (defined as systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg with identifiable blood loss). Postoperatively, patients were checked for infectious and septic complications. RESULTS: Mean Injury Severity Score, Trauma Score, and APACHE II score were 32.0, 12.1, and 10.9 in group I and 2.1 (APACHE II,p < 0.01) in group II, respectively. Two patients in group IA, eight patients in group IB, and one patient in group II demonstrated bacterial translocation (BT) (p < 0.01). Five patients with blunt abdominal trauma had major infectious complications, but only one had BT, and the same microorganism grew in the intra-abdominal abscess. There were two infectious complications in the control group. One of these patients had BT, and the same microorganism grew in the wound infection. CONCLUSION: We conclude that BT occurs after blunt abdominal trauma in humans and correlates with the presence of hemorrhagic shock, but the clinical significance of BT in trauma patients remains unclear.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of N-[(alpha-methyl)benzylidene]-(3-substituted-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl-thio) acetohydrazides.

In this study 18 new hydrazones have been synthesized by reacting ortho- or para-substituted acetophenones with (3-substituted-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl-thio)acetohydrazide in ethanol. The prepared compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity. The prepared compounds exhibited only poor activity against Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria with the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) > or = 400 micrograms/ml. Moderate activity was observed against Candida species with MIC in the range 100-400 micrograms/ml.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activities of 2-[(alpha-methylbenzylidene)-hydrazino]benzoxazoles.

New 2-[(alpha-methylbenzylidene)hydrazino]benzoxazole derivatives have been synthesized by reacting ortho or para substituted acetophenones with 2-hydrazinobenzoxazole in ethanol. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by microanalysis, IR and NMR spectral data. Antimicrobial activities of the compounds were investigated by the microdilution susceptibility test in Mueller-Hinton broth and Sabouraud liquid medium. Test organisms: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 as Gram (+) bacteria, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ATCC 27853 as Gram (-) bacteria, and Candida albicans, Candida stellatoidea, Candida parapsilosis and Candida pseudotropicalis as yeasts. Among the compounds tested 2-[(alpha-methyl-4-chlorobenzylidene)hydrazino]benzoxazole (compounds 4) and 2-[(alpha-methyl-4-nitrobenzylidene)hydrazino]benzoxazole (compound 8) showed the most favorable activity.

Synthesis and activities of 5-substituted-2-(p-substituted phenyl)-1-dialkylaminomethyl benzimidazole derivatives.

Nine 1,2,5-trisubstituted benzimidazole derivatives were prepared and their structure have been elucidated by IR, NMR spectral data and elemental analyses. Analgesic activity of the compounds prepared was investigated in mice by modified KOSTER test. Anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds was investigated by a carregeenan-induced hind paw edema model in mice. Their antibacterial activities were examined against S. aureus, E. faecalis, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and antifungal activity against three kinds of yeast-like fungi (C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. stellatoidea).