The Influence of Cytomegalovirus on Expression of HLA-G and its Ligand KIR2DL4 by Human Peripheral Blood Leucocyte Subsets.

HLA-G is a non-classical class I HLA antigen, normally expressed in high levels only on extravillous cytotrophoblast. It has immunosuppressive properties in pregnancy and has also been found to be upregulated on leucocytes in viral infection. In this study, proportions of all leucocyte subsets expressing HLA-G were found to be low in healthy subjects positive or negative for cytomegalovirus (CMV). Significantly greater proportions of CD4+ CD69+ and CD56+ T cells expressed HLA-G compared to other T cells. However, following stimulation with CMV antigens or intact CMV, proportions of CD4+, CD8+, CD69+ and CD56+ T cells, and also B cells expressing HLA-G, were significantly increased in CMV+ subjects. Despite some subjects having alleles of HLA-G associated with high levels of expression, no relationship was found between HLA-G genotype and expression levels. Purified B cells from CMV+ subjects stimulated in mixed culture with CMV antigens showed significantly increased HLA-G mRNA expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum levels of soluble HLA-G were similar in CMV- and CMV+ subjects but levels in culture supernatants were significantly higher in cells from CMV+ than from CMV- subjects stimulated with CMV antigens. The HLA-G ligand KIR2DL4 was mainly expressed on NK cells and CD56+ T cells with no differences between CMV+ and CMV- subjects. Following stimulation with IL-2, an increase in the proportion of CD56+ T cells positive for KIR2DL4 was found, together with a significant decrease in CD56dimCD16+ NK cells. The results show that CMV influences HLA-G expression in healthy subjects and may contribute to viral immune evasion.

Metal nanoinks as chemically stable surface enhanced scattering (SERS) probes for the analysis of blue BIC ballpoint pens.

Metal nanoinks constituted by Ag nanoparticles and Au nanorods were employed as probes for the Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) analysis of a blue BIC ballpoint pen. The dye components of the pen ink were first separated by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and subsequently analysed by SERS at illumination wavelengths of 514 nm and 785 nm. Compared to normal Raman conditions, enhanced spectra were obtained for all separated spots, allowing easy identification of phthalocyanine Blue 38 and triarylene crystal violet in the ink mixture. A combination of effects such as molecular resonance, electromagnetic and chemical effects were the contributing factors to the generation of spectra enhanced compared to normal Raman conditions. Enhancement factors (EFs) between 5 × 103 and 3 × 106 were obtained, depending on the combination of SERS probes and laser illumination used. In contrast to previous conflicting reports, the metal nanoinks were chemically stable, allowing the collection of reproducible spectra for days after deposition on TLC plates. In addition and in advance to previously reported SERS probes, no need for additional aggregating agents or correction of electrostatic charge was necessary to induce the generation of enhanced SERS spectra.

Vitamin D & endothelial function.

There is increasing interest in the extra-skeletal roles of vitamin D for health and well-being. Poor vitamin D status has been associated with obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and mental health. Endothelial dysfunction may underscore insulin resistance and hence predispose to both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes. The objective of this review was to gain an appreciation of the recent causative evidence linking vitamin D and endothelial function. The PubMed database was searched from 2009 to date. Key words used were vitamin D, supplementation, systemic inflammation, endothelium, endothelial dysfunction and humans. Selected articles were restricted to the English language and to randomized control trials (RCTs) of vitamin D supplementation with direct measures of endothelial function. Final inclusion was based on a quality rating ≥ 3, based on the Jadad score. Ten RCTs met these criteria and were summarized for their outcomes. Only two studies showed an improvement in flow mediated dilatation with vitamin D. Three other studies reported decreases in C-reactive protein, platelet activation inhibitor-1, tissue plasminogen activator or B type natriuretic peptide. Recent evidence from good quality RCTs did not support a beneficial effect of vitamin D on vascular reactivity. Future intervention studies may need to target a higher vitamin D status and longer duration to determine whether the vitamin has a regulatory role in endothelial function.

Assessment of job satisfaction, lifestyle behaviors, and occupational burnout symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among radiologic technologists in Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Radiologic technologists (RTs) are among the healthcare staff negatively impacted by job dissatisfaction, occupational stress, and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess job satisfaction, lifestyle behaviors, occupational burnout symptoms, and associated factors among RTs in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A survey study was conducted from January 2021 to February 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire gathered socio-demographic information, answers to the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, lifestyle behaviors, and frequency of occupational burnout symptoms. Data were analyzed to obtain descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: A total of 261 RTs completed the survey. Participants were predominantly male and most were working in public hospitals. The overall mean score for job satisfaction was 3.77 (of 5), indicating moderate job satisfaction, with two items showing low satisfaction- compensation (3.33) and advancement (3.28). The overall mean score for lifestyle behaviors was 2.00 (of 3), indicating moderate lifestyle behaviors, with the lowest scores reported in sleep quality (1.92), healthy diet (1.85), and relaxing and unwinding (1.86). For burnout symptoms, the overall mean score was 2.30, indicating moderate burnout level, with the highest score reported in experiencing physical symptoms (2.72). There were significant relationships between job satisfaction, lifestyle behaviors and burnout symptoms. A positive and moderate relationship, r = 0.53 (p < 0.05), was found between job satisfaction and healthy lifestyle behaviors. The burnout relationships with job satisfaction, r = -0.615 (p < 0.05), and healthy lifestyle behaviors, r = -0.524 (p < 0.05), were negative and moderate relationships CONCLUSION: The interrelationships between job satisfaction, lifestyle behaviors, and occupational burnout symptoms suggest that improving lifestyle behaviors and managing burnout symptoms could contribute to higher job satisfaction. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Policymakers should focus their efforts in the workplace health promotion programs to play essential roles in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors and occupational stress management, as well as, improvements of RTs career advancement and compensation.

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica (Chryseobacterium meningosepticum) bacteraemia: a series of 12 cases at Prince Sultan Military Medical City KSA.

The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological data, clinical features and outcome of patients with Elizabethkingia meningoseptica bacteraemia and to report the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. All patients with E. meningoseptica bacteraemia were retrospectively recruited at the Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between June 2013 and May 2019. Epidemiological data, clinical features and patient outcome, as well as antimicrobial susceptibilities of E. meningoseptica, were collected from patient electronic medical records. Twelve patients (eight male and four female) with E. meningoseptica bacteraemia were included in the study. Eleven patients acquired the infection from the hospital, five of whom were in the intensive care unit. All patients had one or more underlying medical conditions or interventions, including chronic illness (eight cases), major surgery (three cases), pulmonary fibrosis (one case), sickle-cell anaemia (one case) and end-stage renal disease (one patient on haemodialysis). Eleven patients had a prolonged stay in the hospital (≥3 months), and nine patients had received prolonged antibiotic therapy. Three patients had polymicrobial bacteraemia, including Serratia marcescens (two cases) and Enterococcus faecalis (one case). All E. meningoseptica isolates were susceptible to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, piperacillin/tazobactam and moxifloxacin but showed a high degree of resistance to ß-lactam antibiotics, aminoglycosides and carbapenems. These findings have important implications for the clinician selecting optimal antimicrobial regimens for patients with risk factors for E. meningoseptica infection.

A systematic review protocol examining the effect of vitamin D supplementation on endothelial function.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D has potential benefits for extraskeletal health. These could include an anti-inflammatory effect as well as a reduction in endothelial dysfunction. We aim to provide quality evidence for the hypothesis that supplementation with vitamin D will improve endothelial function (EF), possibly through the abrogation of systemic inflammation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a systematic review of all randomised controlled trials on vitamin D supplementation and EF lasting 12 weeks or more. The search will cover the period 2000-2015 and include studies that describe direct measures of EF, markers of endothelial cell (EC) activation and if concurrently reported, indicators of systemic inflammation. Study selection will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and study quality will be assessed by the Jadad score in addition to an evaluation of allocation concealment and data analysis. If sufficient data are available, a meta-analysis will be conducted. The effect sizes will be generated using Hedges' g score, for both fixed and random effect models. I(2) statistics and Galbraith plots will be used to assess heterogeneity and identify their potential sources. Potential publication and small sample size bias will be assessed by visual inspections of funnel plots and also Egger's test. Meta-regression analysis (if feasible) will be conducted with restricted maximum likelihood (REML) estimation method, controlling for potential confounders (demographics, study methods, location, etc). A backward elimination process will be applied in the regression modelling procedure. Subgroup analysis, conditional on number of studies retrieved and their sample size, will be stratified on participant disease category, total dose administered, degree of 25(OH)D change and type of supplement used. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Formal ethical approval is not required as primary data will not be collected. The results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication, conference presentation and the popular press. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) number CRD42014013523.