Immunoinformatics Patterns and Characteristic of Epitope-Based Peptide Vaccine candidates against COVID-19

Vaccination as defined by the WHO is “the administration of agent-specific, but safe, antigenic components that in vaccinated individuals can induce protective immunity against the corresponding infectious agent”. Regardless of their debated history, the standard vaccine approaches have been unsuccessful in providing vaccines for numerous infectious organisms. In the recent three decades, an enormous amount of immunological data was retrieved from clinical studies  due to the advancement in human genome sequencing. These data are being deposited in databases and numerous scientific literature. The development of several bioinformatics tools to analyze this rapidly increasing immunological databank has given rise to the field of immunoinformatics. This approach allows the selection of immunogenic residues from the pathogen genomes. The ideal residues could be industrialized as vaccine candidates to provide protective immune responses in the hosts. This methodology will significantly decrease the time and cost needed for the vaccine development.  This review focus on  published articles that proposed as vaccine candidates through immunoinformatics analysis. The reviewed  Published immunoinformatics studies provided vaccine peptide candidates against SARS-COV-2, which is based on functional and non functional immunogenic proteins like open reading frame , spike protein, envelope protein and membranous protein .All of which  are designed by unique strategies like reverse vaccinology . Spike protein was the most common used target with different suggeststed B and T cell peptides  due to the difference in methodology between the findings

Cytokine Storm in COVID-19 Patients, their Impact on Organs and the Potential Treatment by QTY Code-Designed Detergent-Free Chemokine Receptors

The novel coronavirus in not only causing respiratory problems, it may also damage the heart, kidneys, liver and other organs; in Wuhan 14 to 30% of COVID-19 patients have lost their kidney function and now require either dialysis or kidney transplants. The novel coronavirus gains entry into humans by targeting ACE2 receptor that found on lung cells, which destroy human lungs through cytokine storms, this leads to hyper-inflammation, forcing the immune cells to destroy healthy cells. This is why some COVID-19 patients need intensive care. The inflammatory chemicals released during COVID-19 infection cause the liver to produce proteins that defend the body from infections. However, these proteins can cause blood clotting, which can clog blood vessels in the heart and other organs; as a result, the organs are deprived from oxygen and nutrients which could ultimately lead to multi-organ failure and subsequent progression to acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome and often death. However, a novel protein modification tool called the QTY code, that are similar in their structure to antibodies, which could provide a solution to excess cytokines, these synthetic proteins can be injected into the body to blind the excess cytokines generated by the cytokine storm; this will eventually remove the excessive cytokines and inhibit the severe symptoms caused by the COVID-19 infection. In this review we will focuses on cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients, their impact on the organs and the potential treatment by QTY code-designed detergent-free chemokine receptors

ResearchMedical and pharmacy students’ attitudes towards physician-pharmacist collaboration in Kuwait

Objective : To assess and compare the attitudes of medical and pharmacy students towards physician - pharmacist collaboration and explore their opinions about the barriers to collaborative practice in Kuwait. Methods : A cross - sectional survey of p harmacy and medical students (n=467) was conducted in Faculties of Medicine and Pharmacy, Kuwait University. Data were collected via self - administered questionnaire from first - year pharmacy and medical students and students in the last two professional yea rs of the pharmacy and medical programs. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed using SPSS, version 22. Statistical significance was accepted at p \u3c 0.05. Results : The response rate was 82.4%. Respondents had overall positive attitudes toward s physician - pharmacist collaboration. Pharmacy students expressed significantly more positive attitudes than medical students (p\u3c 0.001). Medical students rated th e three most significant barriers to collaboration to be: pharmacists’ separation from patien t care areas (n=100, 70.0%), lack of pharmacists’ access to patients’ medical record (n=90, 63.0%) and physicians assuming total responsibility for clinical decision - making (n=87, 60.8%). Pharmacy students’ top three perceived barriers were : lack of pharmac ists’ access to patients’ medical record (n=80, 84.2%), organizational obstacles (n=79, 83.2%), and pharmacists’ separation from patient care areas (n=77, 81.1%). Lack of interprofe ssional education was rated the fourth - largest barrier by both medical (n=7 9, 55.2%) and pharmacy (n=76, 80.0%) students. Conclusions : Medical and pharmacy students in Kuwait advocate physician - pharmacist collaborative practice, but both groups identified substantial barriers to implementation. Efforts are needed to enhance under graduate/postgraduate training in interprofessional collaboration, and to overcome barriers to physician - pharmacist collaboration to advance a team approach to patient care

Exploring the Power and Promise of In Silico Clinical Trials with Application in COVID-19 Infection

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically engulfed the world causing catastrophic damage to human society. Several therapeutic and vaccines have been suggested for the disease in the past months, with over 150 clinical trials currently running or under process. Nevertheless, these trials are extremely expensive and require a long time, which presents the need for alternative cost-effective methods to tackle this urgent requirement for validated therapeutics and vaccines. Bearing this in mind, here we assess the use of in silico clinical trials as a significant development in the field of clinical research, which holds the possibility to reduce the time and cost needed for clinical trials on COVID-19 and other diseases. Methods: Using the PubMed database, we analyzed six relevant scientific articles regarding the possible application of in silico clinical trials in testing the therapeutic and investigational methods of managing different diseases. Results: Successful use of in silico trials was observed in many of the reviewed evidence. Conclusion: In silico clinical trials can be used in refining clinical trials for COVID-19 infection. Keywords: in silico, clinical trials, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, vaccine Ho

Bioactive and topographically-modified electrospun membranes for the creation of new bone regeneration models

Bone injuries that arise from trauma, cancer treatment, or infection are a major and growing global challenge. An increasingly ageing population plays a key role in this, since a growing number of fractures are due to diseases such as osteoporosis, which place a burden on healthcare systems. Current reparative strategies do not sufficiently consider cell-substrate interactions that are found in healthy tissues; therefore, the need for more complex models is clear. The creation of in vitro defined 3D microenvironments is an emerging topographically-orientated approach that provides opportunities to apply knowledge of cell migration and differentiation mechanisms to the creation of new cell substrates. Moreover, introducing biofunctional agents within in vitro models for bone regeneration has allowed, to a certain degree, the control of cell fate towards osteogenic pathways. In this research, we applied three methods for functionalizing spatially-confined electrospun artificial microenvironments that presented relevant components of the native bone stem cell niche. The biological and osteogenic behaviors of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were investigated on electrospun micro-fabricated scaffolds functionalized with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (collagen I), glycosaminoglycans (heparin), and ceramic-based materials (bioglass). Collagen, heparin, and bioglass (BG) were successfully included in the models without modifying the fibrous structures offered by the polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were successfully seeded in all the biofunctional scaffolds and they showed an increase in alkaline phosphatase production when exposed to PCL/BG composites. This research demonstrates the feasibility of manufacturing smart and hierarchical artificial microenvironments for studying stem cell behavior and ultimately the potential of incorporating these artificial microenvironments into multifunctional membranes for bone tissue regeneration

Evaluation of adherence to international guidelines for treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Kuwait

Clinical guidelines derived from scientific evidence provide the basis of consistent standardized prescribing. Despite an alarming increase of diabetes in Kuwait, no studies related to the quality of prescribing in diabetes were found. Before pharmaceutical care can be implemented to improve the quality of care of patients with diabetes, it is important to determine whether prescribers are compliant with comprehensive international guidelines for cardioprevention and glycaemic control. To evaluate the adherence to clinical guidelines for treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in primary care centres and secondary care centres (hospitals) using a developed and validated medication assessment tool with reference to international guidelines. Setting Outpatient diabetes clinics in 8 primary care centres and 4 secondary care centres across four healthcare regions in Kuwait. A quantitative, cross-sectional study involving a sample of 652 Kuwaiti patients with type 2 diabetes, who were selected using systematic sampling from the study settings. Data were collected retrospectively from the patients’ medical records using a validated 43-criterion medication assessment tool (MATKW) designed to assess cardioprevention and treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes. Descriptive and comparative analysis was conducted using SPSS version 17. Frequency of prescribing adherence to agreed definitions of criteria derived from international guidelines. Results Overall adherence to prescribing diabetes guidelines was 77.7 % (95 % CI 76.7–78.6 %). Significantly higher prescribing adherence was found in the secondary care facilities, 82.4 % (95 % CI 81.2–83.6 %) compared to primary care 72.5 % (95 % CI 71.0–73.9 %) (p 80 % in secondary care compared to ten criteria in primary care. The documentation of patients’ records was found to be inconsistent at the study healthcare facilities. Nonoptimal achievement of target goals for HbA1c, blood pressure and BMI was prevalent among the study population. A tool such as MATKW highlights areas for review and possible improvement in prescribing adherence. Our findings reveal problem areas in prescribing practices and documentation of patients’ records. Cost-effective multifaceted interventions are needed to improve current prescribing practices and documentation

Synthesis of Boron-Doped Zinc Oxide Nanosheets by Using Phyllanthus Emblica Leaf Extract: A Sustainable Environmental Applications

The use of Phyllanthus emblica (gooseberry) leaf extract to synthesize Boron-doped zinc oxide nanosheets (B-doped ZnO-NSs) is deliberated in this article. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows a network of synthesized nanosheets randomly aligned side by side in a B-doped ZnO (15 wt% B) sample. The thickness of B-doped ZnO-NSs is in the range of 20–80 nm. B-doped ZnO-NSs were tested against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Escherichia coli. Against gram-negative bacterium (K. pneumonia and E. coli), B-doped ZnO displays enhanced antibacterial activity with 26 and 24 mm of inhibition zone, respectively. The mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), mean free path (MFP), half-value layer (HVL), and tenth value layer (TVL) of B-doped ZnO were investigated as aspects linked to radiation shielding. These observations were carried out by using a PTW® electron detector and VARIAN® irradiation with 6 MeV electrons. The results of these experiments can be used to learn more about the radiation shielding properties of B-doped ZnO nanostructures

Elevated concentrations of metal(loids) in seaweed and the concomitant exposure to humans

While the consumption of seaweed and seaweed-based products is very common amongst East Asian nations, forming a notable component of the daily diet, relatively very few studies have concerned the concentrations of heavy metals in these together with potential effects on human health. The present study analyses the concentrations of 17 elements in locally resourced seaweed, also assessing potential noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. The samples were ground, homogenized, and quantified using the ICP-OES technique. It has been found that the essential elements K, Ca, Mg, Zn, and Na typically show concentrations somewhat greater than a number of potentially toxic metals, in particular, Cd, Pb, Ag, and As, with exceptions being Ni, Cr-VI, and Si. Statistical analysis indicates all of the latter to have similar origin, with increased concentration of these metals within the marine ecosystem. While the daily estimated intake of most metals is seen to be within the daily dietary allowance level recommended by various international organizations, the noncarcinogenic risk shows a value greater than unity, estimated via the hazard quotient. This indicates a potential for adverse effects to health arising from consumption of the sampled seaweed. The carcinogenic risk resulting from nonessential elements shows values greater than the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) reference limit of 10−4 . Considering the nonbiodegradability of heavy metals and metalloids and their potential accumulation in seaweed, there is need for critical examination of metal levels in the seaweeds obtained from the present study locations, together with the introduction of practices of removal of heavy metals via bio-adsorbent techniques

COVID-19 and the Global Impact on Colorectal Practice and Surgery

Background: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus that emerged in December 2019 causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to the sudden national reorganization of health care systems and changes in the delivery of health care globally. The purpose of our study was to use a survey to assess the global effects of COVID-19 on colorectal practice and surgery. Materials and Methods: A panel of International Society of University Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ISUCRS) selected 22 questions, which were included in the questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed electronically to ISUCRS fellows and other surgeons included in the ISUCRS database and was advertised on social media sites. The questionnaire remained open from April 16 to 28, 2020. Results: A total of 287 surgeons completed the survey. Of the 287 respondents, 90% were colorectal specialists or general surgeons with an interest in colorectal disease. COVID-19 had affected the practice of 96% of the surgeons, and 52% were now using telemedicine. Also, 66% reported that elective colorectal cancer surgery could proceed but with perioperative precautions. Of the 287 respondents, 19.5% reported that the use of personal protective equipment was the most important perioperative precaution. However, personal protective equipment was only provided by 9.1% of hospitals. In addition, 64% of surgeons were offering minimally invasive surgery. However, 44% reported that enough information was not available regarding the safety of the loss of intra-abdominal carbon dioxide gas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, 61% of the surgeons were prepared to defer elective colorectal cancer surgery, with 29% willing to defer for ≤ 8 weeks. Conclusion: The results from our survey have demonstrated that, globally, COVID-19 has affected the ability of colorectal surgeons to offer care to their patients. We have also discussed suggestions for various practical adaptation strategies for use during the recovery period. We have presented the results of a survey used to assess the global impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the delivery of colorectal surgery. Despite accessible guidance information, our results have demonstrated that COVID-19 has significantly affected the ability of colorectal surgeons to offer care to patients. We have also discussed practical adaptation strategies for use during the recovery phase