Evaluation of the hematological and immunological markers after the first and second doses of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine.

OBJECTIVE: Both humoral and cellular immunity can be significantly influenced by the immunological responses to vaccination, and both responses are essential. Vaccination is the most consistent, safe, and cost-efficient practice for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected from participants who received two vaccine doses of COVID-19 Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2) before and on days 7 and 10 after the first and second immunization. We evaluated some hematological and immunological markers responses to the 1st and 2nd doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA (Pfizer/BioNtech) vaccine. RESULTS: In healthy subjects' neutrophil and WBC counts significantly increased compared to those after the first dose. The results of all first-group participant categories demonstrated no discernible variations in lymphocyte counts. There was no change in IgM or IgG in all second-group cohorts, except for a considerable rise in IgG levels in people with a history of coronavirus infection following the second dosage compared to baseline. After the second dose, CD4+ T-cell and CD8+ T-cell levels rose in all groups compared to before the immunization and after the first dosage. Data demonstrated a substantial rise in neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) after the second dose of the vaccine. Individuals who had previously had COVID-19 disease experienced a considerable increase in C3 and C4 levels after the first and second dosages compared to baseline. Additionally, compared to their levels after the first dosage, C4 levels increased significantly following the second dosage. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-15, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1α/CCL3) levels were increased after boost correlated with Spike antibody levels, supporting their utility as indicators of successful humoral immunity development in response to vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine produced a more potent T-cell response than humoral ones.

Subdiuretic dose of furosemide enhances albuterol effects in asthmatic mice rather than bumetanide

BACKGROUND: One of the loop diuretics, furosemide, was found useful in bronchial asthma. It enhanced anti-asthmatic effects of albuterol. The underlying mechanism is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study was planned to investigate whether the enhancing effect of furosemide for albuterol in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic BALB/c mice is diuretic-related or not. METHODS: Two sets of experiments were performed. In the first, effects of inhaled subdiuretic doses of furosemide and bumetanide (another loop diuretic) were compared. Treatments (mg/mL) were given as 15 minute-inhalation before final ovalbumin provocation as follows: albuterol (2.5), furosemide (0.08), bumetanide (0.005), (albuterol + furosemide, 2.5 + 0.08), and (albuterol+bumetanide, 2.5 + 0.005). Airway hyperreactivity (AHR) to inhaled methacholine, levels of IL-6, TNF-alfa, and differential white blood cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung histopathology were evaluated. In the second set, effects of oral diuretic doses (mg/kg) of furosemide (10) and bumetanide (0.25) were given before final ovalbumin provocation. Urine volume and asthma parameters were measured. RESULTS: Ovalbumin-asthmatic mice showed significant increases in AHR, levels of IL-6, TNF-alfa, and inflammatory cells in BALF, and lung inflammatory cell infiltration. Inhaled furosemide significantly decreased these changes while inhaled bumetanide failed. Albuterol and albuterol + bumetanide significantly decreased these changes more than furosemide while albuterol + furosemide produced the most significant decreases. Both oral furosemide and bumetanide exerted equivalent diuretic effects but failed to improve asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled subdiuretic dose of furosemide enhanced effects of albuterol more in ovalbumin-asthmatic mice rather than bumetanide, while oral diuretic doses of both drugs failed to improve asthma, indicating that this enhancing effect is not diuretic-related

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Subdiuretic dose of furosemide enhances albuterol effects in asthmatic mice rather than bumetanide.

BACKGROUND: One of the loop diuretics, furosemide, was found useful in bronchial asthma. It enhanced anti-asthmatic effects of albuterol. The underlying mechanism is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study was planned to investigate whether the enhancing effect of furosemide for albuterol in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic BALB/c mice is diuretic-related or not. METHODS: Two sets of experiments were performed. In the first, effects of inhaled subdiuretic doses of furosemide and bumetanide (another loop diuretic) were compared. Treatments (mg/mL) were given as 15 minute-inhalation before final ovalbumin provocation as follows: albuterol (2.5), furosemide (0.08), bumetanide (0.005), (albuterol+furosemide, 2.5+0.08), and (albuterol+bumetanide, 2.5+0.005). Airway hyperreactivity (AHR) to inhaled methacholine, levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and differential white blood cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung histopathology were evaluated. In the second set, effects of oral diuretic doses (mg/kg) of furosemide (10) and bumetanide (0.25) were given before final ovalbumin provocation. Urine volume and asthma parameters were measured. RESULTS: Ovalbumin-asthmatic mice showed significant increases in AHR, levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and inflammatory cells in BALF, and lung inflammatory cell infiltration. Inhaled furosemide significantly decreased these changes while inhaled bumetanide failed. Albuterol and albuterol+bumetanide significantly decreased these changes more than furosemide while albuterol+furosemide produced the most significant decreases. Both oral furosemide and bumetanide exerted equivalent diuretic effects but failed to improve asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled subdiuretic dose of furosemide enhanced effects of albuterol more in ovalbumin-asthmatic mice rather than bumetanide, while oral diuretic doses of both drugs failed to improve asthma, indicating that this enhancing effect is not diuretic-related.

Evaluation of drug utilization pattern for patients of bronchial asthma in a government hospital of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma is a social and economic healthcare burden. Drug utilization studies are important tools to assess current prescription practices against standard guidelines and help in rationalizing the management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the pattern of drug utilization in bronchial asthma patients in a government hospital of Saudi Arabia. Retrospective prescribing information of patients of all ages and both sexes diagnosed with bronchial asthma being treated with at least one of the anti-asthmatic medications was utilized. Demographic details, brand/generic name, indication, route, dosage, frequency, and date of starting the drug were recorded. Prescriptions were examined for order, number, and therapeutic class of drugs in addition to poly-pharmacy and appropriateness. Patients having other respiratory disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), bronchitis, emphysema, or any comorbidity such as diabetes, hypertension, and peptic ulcer were excluded. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 380 prescriptions were studied. Patients were aged from 4 months to 79 years, with 55.3% males and 44.7% females. Pediatric prescriptions were 47.4%. Bronchodilators followed by steroids were the most common drug groups. Salbutamol and budesonide were the most common from each group, respectively. 89.5% of the patients were having at least two drugs. Number of drugs per prescription averaged 3.18 ± 1.22, however, no correlation was found between different age groups and number of drugs. 61.3% drugs were administered by inhalational route and 34.8% by oral route. Approximately 77.2% prescriptions were found to be appropriate. CONCLUSION: Prescription pattern was mainly in accordance with standard guidelines with some knowledge and technical gaps in prescription writing methodology.

Effect of rosuvastatin on dyslipidemia and other parameters associated with metabolic syndrome in Saudi patients.

CONTEXT: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a constellation of metabolic irregularities consisting of dyslipidemia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, chronic inflammatory, and hypercoagulable state predisposing to diabetes and cardiovascular events. Statins are first-line drugs to treat the associated atherogenic dyslipidemia. AIM: Effect of rosuvastatin on MS in Saudi patients was studied. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective, open label, randomized clinical study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients of either sex ≥18 years (n = 153) having MS as per modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were prescribed rosuvastatin 10 mg OD for 24 weeks. Serum lipids, biochemical, clinical, and anthropometric parameters were studied before and after treatment. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical Package for Social Sciences version17 was used. Descriptive analysis was used for all variables and documented as mean ± SD. Normality checked by Shapiro-Wilk test, Kurtosis and Skewness Z-score, and visualization of histograms. Lipid levels and other parameters before and after treatment were evaluated by paired t-test for parametric data and Wilcoxon signed rank test for nonparametric data. Pre- and post-test values were correlated by Pearson's correlation coefficient. Multiple regression analysis was performed to see effect of other variables. RESULTS: Highly significant reduction was observed in low density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides; very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherosclerotic index with an elevation in high density lipoprotein cholesterol. A total of 86% patients reached low density lipoprotein cholesterol goal of ≤ 100 mg/dL. Beneficial response was observed on other associated parameters. There was strong correlation between pre- and post values. No significant effect was observed for any of the variables on cholesterol reduction. No serious/severe adverse effect was observed. CONCLUSION: Rosuvastatin markedly improved atherogenic dyslipidemia of MS.

MODIS-Aqua detects Noctiluca scintillans and hotspots in the central Arabian Sea.

Northern Arabian Sea is considered as an ecologically sensitive area as it experiences a massive upwelling and long-lasting algal bloom, Noctiluca scintillans (green tide) during summer and spring-winter, respectively. Diatom bloom is also found to be co-located with N. scintillans and both have an impact on ecology of the basin. In-house technique of detecting species of these blooms from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-Aqua data was used to generate a time-series of images revealing their spatial distribution. A study of spatial-temporal variability of these blooms using satellite data expressed a cyclic pattern of their spread over a period of 13 years. An average distribution of the blooms for January-March period revealed a peak in 2015 and minimum in 2013. Subsequently, a time-series of phytoplankton species images were generated for these 2 years to study their inter-annual variability and the associated factors. Species images during active phase of the bloom (February) in 2015 indicated development of N. scintillans and diatom in the central Arabian Sea also, up to 12° N. This observation was substantiated with relevant oceanic parameters measured from the ship as well as satellite data and the same is highlight of the paper. While oxygen depletion and release of ammonia associated with N. scintillans are detrimental for waters on the western side; it is relatively less extreme and supports the entire food chain on the eastern side. In view of these contrasting eco-sensitive events, it is a matter of concern to identify biologically active persistent areas, hot spots, in order to study their ecology in detail. An ecological index, persistence of the bloom, was derived from the time-series of species images and it is another highlight of our study.

Species identification of mixed algal bloom in the Northern Arabian Sea using remote sensing techniques.

Oceanic waters of the Northern Arabian Sea experience massive algal blooms during winter-spring (mid Feb-end Mar), which prevail for at least for 3 months covering the entire northern half of the basin from east to west. Ship cruises were conducted during winter-spring of 2001-2012 covering different stages of the bloom to study the biogeochemistry of the region. Phytoplankton analysis indicated the presence of green tides of dinoflagellate, Noctiluca scintillans (=N. miliaris), in the oceanic waters. Our observations indicated that diatoms are coupled and often co-exist with N. scintillans, making it a mixed-species ecosystem. In this paper, we describe an approach for detection of bloom-forming algae N. scintillans and its discrimination from diatoms using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-Aqua data in a mixed-species environment. In situ remote sensing reflectance spectra were generated using Satlantic™ hyperspectral radiometer for the bloom and non-bloom waters. Spectral shapes of the reflectance spectra for different water types were distinct, and the same were used for species identification. Scatter of points representing different phytoplankton classes on a derivative plot revealed four diverse clusters, viz. N. scintillans, diatoms, non-bloom oceanic, and non-bloom coastal waters. The criteria developed for species discrimination were implemented on MODIS data and validated using inputs from a recent ship cruise conducted in March 2013.

Assessment of traumatic dental injuries in patients with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term for a group of conditions characterized essentially by motor dysfunctions that may be associated with sensory or cognitive impairment. Such children tend to have a higher incidence of traumatic dental injuries than the general population. This increased incidence is often attributed to poor muscular co-ordination that predisposes individuals with Cerebral palsy to trauma Aim: The study was conducted to assess different dental injuries and the risk factors for dental trauma to occur in patients with cerebral palsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 70 children and adolescents with cerebral palsy attending special school in Durg and Bhilai city between 7 and 18 years of age. RESULTS: Dentinal fracture was seen in 40% of cases. Few cases had tooth displacement, discoloration, and pulpal involvement. CONCLUSION: Dentists should be well aware of the possible dental injuries in such patients. Preventive measure measures should be taken by health care provider to reduce traumatic exposure.

Mesozooplankton distribution near an active volcanic island in the Andaman Sea (Barren Island).

The study addresses the distribution and diversity of mesozooplankton near the active volcano-Barren Island (Andaman Sea) in the context of persistent volcanic signature and warm air pool existing for the last few months. Sampling was done from the stations along the west and east side of the volcano up to a depth of 1,000 m during the inter monsoon (April) of 2006. Existence of feeble warm air pool was noticed around the Island (Atm. Temp. 29°C). Sea surface temperature recorded as 29.9°C on the west and 29.6°C on the east side stations. High mesozooplankton biomass was observed in the study area than the earlier reports. High density and biomass observed in the surface layer decreased significantly to the deeper depths. Lack of correlation was observed between mesozooplankton biomass and density with chl. a. Twenty-three mesozooplankton taxa were observed with copepoda as the dominant taxa followed by chaetognatha. The relative abundance of chaetognatha considerably affected the copepod population density in the surface layer. A noticeable feature was the presence of cumaceans, a hyperbenthic fauna in the surface, mixed layer and thermocline layer on the western side station where the volcano discharges in to the sea. The dominant order of copepoda, the calanoida was represented by 52 species belonging to 17 families. The order poecilostomatoida also had a significant contribution. Copepods exhibited a clear difference in their distribution pattern in different depth layers. The families Calanidae and Pontellidae showed a clear dominance in the surface whereas small-sized copepods belonging to the families Clausocalanidae and Paracalanidae were observed as the predominant community in the mixed layer and thermocline layer depth. Families Metridinidae, Augaptilidae and Aetideidae were observed as dominant in deeper layers.

5-phenylthioacyclouridine: a potent and specific inhibitor of uridine phosphorylase.

5-Phenylthioacyclouridine (PTAU or 1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-5-phenylthiouracil) was synthesized as a highly specific and potent inhibitor of uridine phosphorylase (UrdPase, EC 2.4.2.3). PTAU has inhibition constant (K(is)) values of 248 and 353 nM towards UrdPase from mouse and human livers, respectively. PTAU was neither an inhibitor nor a substrate for thymidine phosphorylase (EC 2.4.2.4), uridine-cytidine kinase (EC 2. 7.1.48), thymidine kinase (EC 2.7.1.21), dihydrouracil dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.1.2), orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.10), or orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.2.23), the enzymes that could utilize the substrate (uridine or thymidine) or products (uracil or thymine) of UrdPase. Different isomers of 5-tolylthiouracil also were synthesized and tested as inhibitors of UrdPase. The meta-substituted isomer was 3- to 4-fold more potent as an inhibitor of UrdPase than the para- or ortho-substituted isomers. These data indicate that the hydrophobic pocket in the active site of UrdPase adjacent to the 5-position of the pyrimidine ring can accommodate the meta-substituted 5-phenyluracils better than the other isomers, leading to improved inhibition. Therefore, it is anticipated that the potency of PTAU can be increased further by the addition of certain hydrophobic groups at the meta position of the phenyl ring. PTAU has potential usefulness in the therapy of cancer and AIDS as well as other pathological and physiological disorders that can be remedied by the administration of uridine.