Assignment of the antibacterial potential of Ag2O/ZnO nanocomposite against MDR bacteria Proteus mirabilis and Salmonella typhi isolated from bone marrow transplant patients.

The rate of infectious diseases started to be one of the major mortality agents in the healthcare sector. Exposed to increased bacterial infection by antibiotic-resistant bacteria became one of the complications that occurred for bone marrow transplant patients. Nanotechnology may provide clinicians and patients with the key to overcoming multidrug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, this study was conducted to clarify the prevalence of MDR bacteria in bone marrow transplant recipients and the use of Ag2O/ZnO nanocomposites to treat participants of diarrhea brought on by MDR bacteria following bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Present results show that pathogenic bacteria were present in 100 of 195 stool samples from individuals who had diarrhea. Phenotypic, biochemical, and molecular analysis clarify that Proteus mirabilis and Salmonella typhi were detected in 21 and 25 samples, respectively. Successful synthesis of Ag2O/ZnO nanocomposites with a particle enables to inhibition of both pathogens. The maximum inhibitory impact was seen on Salmonella typhi. At low doses (10-5 g/l), it prevented the growth by 53.4%, while at higher concentrations (10-1 g/l), Salmonella typhi was inhibited by 95.5%. Regarding Proteus mirabilis, at (10-5 g/l) Ag2O/ZnO, it was inhabited by 78.7%, but at higher concentrations (10-1 g/l), it was inhibited the growth by 94.6%. Ag2O/ZnO nanocomposite was therefore found to be the most effective therapy for MDR-isolated bacteria and offered promise for the treatment of MDR bacterial infections that cause diarrhea.

Assessment of plasmablast cells in immune thrombocytopenic purpura in children.

Primary immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder with platelet destruction due to B- and T-cell dysregulation and antiplatelet autoantibodies production. Flow cytometry can be used to further characterize the B- and T-cell compartments involved in platelet destruction. This case-control study was to enumerate plasmablast cells in pediatric ITP patients and to correlate their levels with disease course. This study included 30 ITP patients and 10 controls. Identification and enumeration of Plasmablast were done by multicolor flow cytometry using specific antibody panels (CD19, CD27 & CD38) and sequential gating using FACSCanto flow cytometer and FlowJo software. We found that lymphocytes subpopulation in ITP patients and controls revealed increase in frequency of CD19 (B lymphocytes) in acute, persistent, and chronic ITP patients in comparison with controls (p < 0.001, 0.023, 0.001) respectively. Plasmablast cells could play a role in the pathogenesis of ITP and might guide therapy in ITP patients in the future.

Impact of maternal and neonatal factors on umbilical cord CD34+ cells.

BACKGROUND: The achievement of optimal number of CD34+ umbilical cord stem cells is essential for successful umbilical cord stem cell transplantation. So the aim of this study was to assess the potential effect of both maternal and neonatal factors on the umbilical cord blood CD34+ cell count. METHODS: The study was done on umbilical cord blood samples obtained from 20 mothers during labor. Their ages ranged from 22 to 34 years and were subjected to history taking, physical examination of the baby and assessment of the CD34+ cells count in umbilical cord blood. RESULTS: Number of previous live births and weight of the baby had a significant effect on CD34+ cells count while the sex of the baby, delivery route, maternal age and gestation period had no significant effect on CD34+ cells count. CONCLUSIONS: Umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+ cell count is better with good weight and first babies and decreased with subsequent babies.

Protective effect of carvedilol on adriamycin-induced left ventricular dysfunction in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Adriamycin (ADR) is a potent chemotherapeutic agent widely used in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); its clinical use is limited owing to its marked cardiotoxicity. The present study investigated the possible protective role of carvedilol on ADR-induced left ventricular dysfunction in children with ALL. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty children with newly diagnosed ALL were included in this study. They were divided into 2 equal groups: 1) ADR; and 2) ADR + carvedilol. Patients were evaluated with conventional 2-dimensional echocardiographic examination (2D), pulsed tissue Doppler (PTD), and 2-dimensional longitudinal strain echocardiography (2DS) before and after therapy. Plasma lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and troponin I levels were also determined before and after therapy. ADR treatment reduced left ventricular systolic dysfunction as assessed by a significant decrease in fractional shortening (FS) (2D) and global peak-systolic strain (GPSS; 2DS). In addition, ADR treatment significantly increased plasma troponin I and LDH. Pretreatment of ADR-treated patients with carvedilol resulted in a significant increase in FS (2D) and GPSS (2DS). Furthermore, carvedilol pretreatment inhibited ADR-induced increase in plasma troponin I and LDH. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested a protective role of carvedilol against ADR-induced cardiotoxicity.