Retinal Vein Occlusion Amongst People Vaccinated by mRNA- and Viral Vector- COVID-19 Vaccines: A Systematic Review.

Vaccines are highly effective in lowering the mortality due to COVID-19. Although several suspected adverse events or side effects after vaccination including retinal vein occlusion (RVO) have been reported. We conducted a systematic review using PRISMA methods to analyze the occurrence of RVO among people vaccinated by COVID-19 mRNA- vs viral vector- vaccines on 4 databases from 1-1-2021 to 31-12-2022 using specified MeSH terms. All included studies were assessed using JBI critical appraisal tools for eligibility. The final included studies are 31 studies (n=78 cases from 75 patients; 3 of these patients suffered twice). The median age of the patients was 61 years (28 to 96 years old) and most of them were female (52.00%). Thirty-nine patients received the mRNA vaccine (52.00%), while 36 patients received the viral vector vaccine (48.00%) before the event. The RVO diagnoses are based on physical examination confirmed by Fluorescein Angiography (FA), and/or Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). The median time interval between vaccination and RVO was 6 days in the mRNA vaccine group and 4 days in the viral vector vaccine group. Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO) were tied as the most common diagnosis in the mRNA vaccine group (20.51% and 20.51%), whilst in the viral vector vaccine group CRVO was the most common diagnosis (17.94%). Most of these cases had good outcomes with improved visual impairment in one or both eyes. From this review, we could not ascertain that the RVO occurs due to the type of COVID-19 vaccines because of the detailed data on the dosage and the history of illness of each patient. However, the awareness that the RVO could develop after COVID-19 vaccination must be taken into consideration, even though it is rare.

Health literacy on COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccinations in Indonesia.

Introduction: Health literacy on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects people's capability to ascertain their health and health care quality during the pandemic. The objective of this study was to determine the levels of health literacy about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinations (Vaccines and Vaccinations literacy-VL) in the Indonesian adult general population, assessing the perceptions of the respondents about current adult immunization and beliefs about vaccinations in general, and analyzing correlations of these variables with the VL levels. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a rapid survey was administered via the Internet. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics; the internal consistency of the VL scales was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient; the inter-correlation between the functional and interactive-critical VL questions, the underlying components (factors) and each question's load on the components were identified using a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). An alpha level lesser than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Responses to functional- and interactive/ critical- VL questions were acceptable and showed internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.817 and 0.699, respectively), lowest values observed were 0.806 for functional scale and 0.640 for the interactive-critical scale. The PCA demonstrated that there were two components accounting for 52.45% of the total variability. Approximately 60% of respondents were females (n=686). Almost all respondents used the internet to seek information regarding COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccinations. Many used at least one social media actively with 74.4% of respondents sometimes believing the validity of this information. Conclusions: High scores were observed in both functional- and interactive/ critical-VL, and were quite in a balance between sexes in the prior VL and higher in females for the latter; these were also closely related to the educational level and age group. It is crucial to increase public health literacy in managing the pandemic.

Paralytic ileus in the patient with tuberculosis of spine.

Background: We reported a patient with spinal tuberculosis and paralytic ileus. A 56-year-old Javanese male presented with lower limb paralysis and bowel obstruction 2 weeks prior to admission. He was found to have hypoalbuminemia and hypesthesia from the T7/T9 levels and below. Other than increased alanine aminotransferase, hematology and blood chemical tests were normal. MRI and plain abdominal radiographs confirmed the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis at the T5/6 level and paralytic ileus. Tubercles in the lymphoid tissue of the intestinal submucosa were not seen.Conclusion: Paralytic ileus may occur in spinal TB.

Aluminium foil dampened the adverse effect of 2100 MHz mobile phone-induced radiation on the blood parameters and myocardium in rats.

Mobile phones emit a radiofrequency radiation (RFR) that might have adverse health effects. We aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of aluminium foil (AF) as a physical shield against the RFR from mobile phones on the blood parameters and the myocardium in rats. The effects of whole body 2100 MHz with 0.84-1.86 W/kg of SAR, 4 h/day for 30 days Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)-RFR exposure for 4 h/day for 30 days on blood parameters (i.e. haemoglobin, leucocytes, thrombocytes, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, white blood cell differential count, corticosterone, CKMB), and the histology of myocardium were investigated. Three-month-old male rats (n = 32) were studied and randomised equally in the following four groups: K1 (non-AF non-RFR control), K2 (AF non-RFR control), P1 (non-AF RFR-exposed), P2 (AF RFR-exposed). Data were analysed with level of significance of p < 0.05. In P1, lower leucocytes and neutrophils counts with high corticosterone levels were found compared with the control groups, whilst a significantly higher CKMB was observed compared with P2 (p = 0.034). Lower cardiomyocyte counts congruent to the area fraction of the non-fibrotic myocardium were observed in P1 compared with the other groups (p < 0.01). AF might decrease the inflammatory-oxidative stress on rodent's blood cells and myocardium induced by the exposures of radiofrequency radiation of the mobile phones.

Identification and expression of a unique neonatal variant of the GABAA receptor α3 subunit.

The GABAA receptor provides the majority of inhibitory neurotransmission in the adult central nervous system but in immature brain is responsible for much of the excitatory drive, a requirement for normal brain development. It is well established that GABAA receptor subunit expression changes across the course of brain development. In the present study, we have identified a splice variant of the GABAA receptor α3 subunit which appears unique to the developing brain, referred to here as the GABAA receptor α3 subunit neonatal variant (GABAA receptor α3N). RT-PCR and sequence analysis revealed splicing of exon 8 of the α3 subunit. Western blot analysis showed expression of GABAA receptor α3N in the cortex of several neonatal species and significantly reduced expression of this splice variant in the corresponding adult brains. Expression was evident in multiple brain regions and decreased across development in the pig. Fractionation revealed differential cellular localisation in the parietal cortex, hippocampus and thalamus of the full-length GABAA receptor α3 and GABAA receptor α3N. Immunoprecipitation showed direct interaction with the GABAA receptor subunits α1 and γ2 but not with gephyrin.

Developmental Changes in Expression of GABAA Receptor Subunits α1, α2, and α3 in the Pig Brain.

GABA is a major neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain. In the mature brain GABA exerts inhibitory actions via the GABAA receptor (GABAAR); however, in the immature brain GABA provides much of the excitatory drive. We examined the expression of 3 predominant GABAA α-subunit proteins in the pig brain at various pre- and postnatal ages. Brain tissue was collected from piglets born via caesarean section at preterm ages 91, 97, 100, and 104 days' gestational age (GA), at term equivalent (114 days' GA, caesarean section) and at term, postnatal day 0 (P0) (spontaneous delivery, term = 115 days). Tissue was obtained from piglets at P4 and P7. Adult tissue from sows was collected postmortem after caesarean section. In all cortical regions and basal ganglia (1) α3 exhibited a significant increase in protein expression at 100 days' GA, (2) α3 expression decreased with age after 100 days' GA, (3) α1 increased with age, with peak expression at P7 in cortices, hippocampus, and thalamus, and (4) α2 protein expression remained relatively constant across the ages examined. The subunit expression of α3 was most abundant at preterm ages, with α1 the predominant subunit expressed postnatally. Immunofluorescent labelling revealed α1 expression on the somatic membranes of pyramidal cells in the cortex and hippocampus, and in the cerebellar Purkinje cells. Positive α3 labelling was apparent on interneurones in the cortex and hippocampus. The switch between dominant α-subunits may coincide with the functional change in GABAergic neurotransmission from excitation to inhibition. Brain growth in the pig closely reflects that in the term human, making the pig a valuable non-primate model for studying development and the effects of insults on the perinatal brain.

GABAA receptor expression and white matter disruption in intrauterine growth restricted piglets.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is one of the most common causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity. White matter and neuronal injury are major pathophysiological features of the IUGR neonatal brain. GABAA (γ-aminobutyric acid type A) receptors have been shown to play a role in oligodendrocyte differentiation and proliferation in the neonatal brain and may be a key factor in white matter injury and myelination in IUGR neonates. Whether there are impairments to the GABAergic system and neuronal cytoskeleton in IUGR brain has yet to be elucidated. This study aims to examine GABAA receptor α1 and α3 subunit protein expression and distribution in parietal cortex and hippocampus of the IUGR piglet at four different ages (term=115d - days gestational age), 100d, 104d, birth (postnatal day 0-P0) and P7 and to examine neuronal and myelination patterns. Significant alterations to GABAA receptor α1 and α3 protein expression levels were observed in the IUGR piglet brain of P7 IUGR piglets with significantly greater α3 expression compared to α1 expression in the hippocampus while there was virtually no difference between the two subunits in the parietal cortex. However a significantly lower α1/α3 ratio was evident in P7 IUGR cortex when compared with P7 NG cortex. Neuronal somatodendrites studied using MAP2 immunohistochemistry showed reduced and disrupted somatodendrites while MBP immunolabelling showed loss of axonal fibres from gestational day 104d through to P7. These findings provide insights into the effects of IUGR on the development of the GABA system, altered developmental maturation of GABAA receptor subunit expression in the IUGR brain may influence myelination and may partly explain the cognitive disabilities observed in IUGR. Understanding the mechanisms behind grey and white matter injury in the IUGR infant is essential to identifying targets for treatments to improve long-term outcomes for IUGR infants.

Estimation of cranial capacity and growth indicators in elementary school children / Estimación de capacidad craneal e indicadores de crecimiento en niños de educación primaria

Cranial capacity (CC) can be used to estimate the brain volume and is correlated to the growth and development in children. Anthropometry is a useful method to obtain data of estimated cranial capacity and other growth indicators including body weight (BW) and body height (BH). Neuromuscular reflex test (NMRT) is a method to observe children's neuromuscular function. The aim of this study is to elucidate and to understand correlation between estimated CC, BW, BH, body mass index (BMI) and neuromuscular function in elementary school children in East Java, Indonesia age 7-14 years old. The anthropometric study was carried out in 153 boys and 145 girls from 3 elementary schools in East Java age 7-14 years old to measure BH and BW to calculate the BMI by WHO formula. Other data taken including NMRT and maximum head length, maximum head breadth between parietal eminence, and head height from vertex to tragus; last three are to calculate the estimated CC using formula of Manjunath (2002a). Correlations between CC, BW, BH, BMI and NMRT were analyzed with Microsoft Excel. For comparison of cranial capacity means between boys and girls, two-tailed t test was done (p>0.05). In boys, a positive correlation was found between the CC and: BMI (r=0.38), BW (r=0.4), BH (r=0.3); whilst no obvious correlation was observed between the CC and NMRT (r=0.07). In girls, a positive correlation was found between the CC and: BMI (r=0.33), BW (r=0.45), BH (r=0.48); whilst negative correlation was observed between the CC and NMRT (r=-0.05). Results indicate there is a strong linier correlation between CC and BMI, and BW, and BH in both boys and girls. No obvious correlations were found between CC and NMRT in boys and girls.

La capacidad craneal (CC) se puede utilizar para estimar el volumen del cerebro y correlacionarlo con el crecimiento y desarrollo de los niños. La antropometría es un método útil para obtener datos de la capacidad craneal estimada y otros indicadores de crecimiento, incluyendo el peso corporal (PC) y la altura del cuerpo (AC). La prueba del reflejo neuromuscular (PRNM) es un método para observar la función neuromuscular de los niños. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la correlación entre CC estimada, PC, AC,índice de masa corporal (IMC) y la función neuromuscular en niños de educación primaria entre 7 y 14 años de edad, en el Este de Java, Indonesia. El estudio antropométrico se realizó en 153 niños y 145 niñas de 3 escuelas primarias de Java Oriental para medir PC, AC y calcular el IMC por la fórmula OMS. Con el objetivo de calcular CC utilizando la fórmula de Manjunath (2002a), se registraron datos incluyendo el PRNM y longitud de la cabeza, el ancho máximo de la cabeza entre las eminencias parietales, como también la altura de la cabeza al vértice al tragus. Las correlaciones entre la CC, PC, AC, IMC y PRNM se analizaron con Microsoft Excel. Para la comparación de la capacidad craneal entre niños y niñas, se realizó la prueba t de dos colas (p> 0,05). En los niños encontramos una correlación positiva entre la CC y el IMC (r = 0,38), PC (r = 0,4), AC (r = 0,3); mientras que no se observó ninguna correlación obvia entre la CC y PRNM (r = 0,07). En las niñas se observó una correlación positiva entre la CC y el IMC (r = 0,33), PC (r = 0,45) y AC (r = 0,48); mientras que se observó una correlación negativa entre la CC y PRNM (r = -0,05). Los resultados indican que hay una fuerte correlación lineal entre CC e IMC, y entre PC y AC en los niños y niñas. No se encontraron correlaciones evidentes entre CC y PRNM en niños y niñas.

A pig model of the preterm neonate: anthropometric and physiological characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Large animal models are an essential tool in the development of rationally-based new clinical therapies for preterm infants. We provide a description of the newborn pig as a model of the preterm neonate in terms of growth parameters, physiology and the requirement for intensive care over a range of gestational ages. METHODS: Twenty-nine litters of piglets (n = 298) were delivered by caesarean section at six timepoints during gestation from 91d to 113d (term = 115d). Two groups, at 91 and 97d gestation, also received maternal glucocorticoid treatment. At four of these timepoints, piglets (n = 79) were ventilated, sedated and monitored using standard neonatal intensive care techniques for up to 8 h in various experimental protocols. RESULTS: Body weight increased from mean 697 g (SD 193) at 91d gestation to 1331 g (SD 368) at 113d gestation. Piglets delivered at 97d gestation were able to be resuscitated and kept alive for at least 8 h on respiratory support after surfactant administration. Maternal glucocorticoid treatment 48 h and 24 h hours prior to delivery reduced the requirement for ventilator support and improved cardiovascular stability. CONCLUSION: The pig provides a relevant model for the study of human preterm physiology and for investigation of novel therapies to improve outcomes.

Developmental expression and distribution of GABA(A) receptor α1-, α3- and ß2-subunits in pig brain.

The principal function of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system in the adult brain is inhibition; however, in the neonatal brain, GABA provides much of the excitatory drive. As the brain develops, transmembrane chloride gradients change and the inhibitory role of GABA is initiated and continues throughout juvenile and adult life. Previous studies have shown that GABA(A) receptor subunit expression is developmentally regulated, and it is thought that the change in GABA function from excitation to inhibition corresponds to the changeover in expression of 'immature' to 'mature' subunit isoforms. We examined the protein expression pattern and distribution of GABA type A (GABA(A)) receptor α1-, α3- and ß2-subunits in the parietal cortex and hippocampus of the developing piglet brain. Four perinatal ages were studied; 14 days preterm (P-14), 10 days preterm (P-10), day of birth (P0) and at postnatal day 7 (P7). Animals were obtained by either caesarean section or spontaneous birth. Protein expression levels and subunit localization were analysed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively. In the cortex and hippocampus, GABA(A) receptor α1-subunit showed greatest expression at P7 when compared to all other age groups (p < 0.05). In contrast, α3 expression in the cortex was elevated in preterm brain, peaking at P0, followed by a significant reduction by P7 (p < 0.05); a similar trend was observed in the hippocampus. GABA(A) receptor ß2-subunit protein expression appeared relatively constant across all time points studied in both the cortex and hippocampus. Immunolabelling of the α1-, α3- and ß2-subunits was observed throughout all cortical layers at every age. GABA(A) receptor α3-subunit appeared to show specific localization to layers V and VI whilst labelling for the ß2-subunit was observed in layer IV. In the hippocampus of all animals, the α1- and ß2-subunits were shown to immunolabel various cells and processes in the dentate gyrus (DG), CA1 and CA3; the α3-subunit was barely observed except at the stratum moleculare of the DG. We report for the first time the ontogenesis of GABA(A) receptor subunits α1, α3 and ß2 in the perinatal pig brain.