Interactions of Natural Killer Cells, Dendritic Cells and Chemokines in Mycobacterium bovis Infection

Bovine Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M.bovis), has seen a significant rise in incidence in recent years, posing a considerable burden to the UK economy. Protective immunity is associated in part, with rapid IFNγ production and early Th1 polarisation. Natural Killer (NK) cells are known to be a significant source of IFNγ and may therefore play a pivotal role in the innate immune response to mycobacterial infection. This study hypothesised that bovine NK cells participate in the immune response to bovine TB by migrating towards and reciprocally interacting with M.bovis infected dendritic cells (DCs). Bovine NK cells comprise a heterogeneous population characterised by the expression of NKp46 and CD2. Quantitative PCR analyses revealed that blood derived NKp46+ CD2- NK cells transcribed higher levels of important inflammatory and lymphoid homing chemokine receptors and preferentially migrated towards M.bovis infected DCs within in vitro chemotaxis assays when compared with NKp46+ CD2+ NK cells. Furthermore, within co-culture assays, M.bovis infected DCs selectively induced the release of IFNγ from NKp46+ CD2- NK cells with no detectable levels of IFNγ produced by NKp46+ CD2+ cells. This was partially reliant upon IL-12 secreted by M.bovis infected DCs as well as direct cell-cell contact. In addition, NKp46+ CD2- NK cells were able to reciprocally activate infected DCs resulting in up-regulation of cell surface MHC class II. Furthermore, IFNγ expressing NKp46+ CD2- NK cells were detected in the peripheral circulation of cattle as early as two days following experimental infection with M.bovis. This study has provided evidence of reciprocal interactions between CD2- NK cells and mycobacterially infected DCs that could augment both antigen presentation and Th1 biased immune responses. Therefore, this minor blood derived CD2- NK cell subset may be selectively responsible for promoting a protective immune response during the early phases of M.bovis infection and represents a potential target for future vaccination strategies

Culturable aerobic and facultative anaerobic intestinal bacterial flora of black cobra (Naja naja karachiensis) in southern Pakistan

Using morphological analysis and biochemical testing, here for the first time, we determined the culturable gut bacterial flora (aerobes and facultative anaerobes) in the venomous Black Cobra (Naja naja karachiensis) from South Asia. The findings revealed that these snakes inhabit potentially pathogenic bacteria including Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shewanella putrefaciens, Aeromonas hydrophila, Salmonella sp., Moraxella sp., Bacillus sp., Ochrobactrum anthropi, and Providencia rettgeri. These findings are of concern, as injury from snake bite can result in wound infections and tissue necrosis leading to sepsis/necrotizing fasciitis and/or expose consumers of snake meat/medicine in the community to infections

Antibiotic resistance pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from pus samples at tertiary care cancer hospital

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most frequent opportunistic microorganisms causing infections in cancer patients. The aim of the study was to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates in cancer patients. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from January 2022 to December 2022 at Government Cancer Hospital, Aurangabad. A total of 143 pus samples were collected from both IPD and OPD patients. Pus samples were collected as per standard procedure and were inoculated on blood and MacConkey agar. The isolates were identified by standard protocols using biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern of each isolate was checked as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines 2022 using Kirby-Bauer's disc diffusion method and VITEK 2 Automation. Data analysis was done by statical method with statistical software SPSS version 22. Results: Out of 143 clinical samples 33 samples (23%) were positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth. mean age of patients was 50 years old out of 33 isolates 12 (36%) isolates were multidrug-resistant, 11 (33%) isolates were extensively drug-resistant and 1 (3%) were pan-drug-resistant. The majority of isolates were responsive to polymyxin B 32 (96%) and colistin 32 (96%); However, the resistance to gentamycin, ceftazidime, and amikacin was higher, at 66%, 60%, and 57%, respectively.   Conclusions: This hospital-based retrospective study will help to implement better infection control strategies and improve the knowledge of antibiotic resistance patterns among clinicians. Thus, there is a need for an antibiotic stewardship program to monitor the resistant pattern in a tertiary care   cancer hospital

Innate activation of human primary epithelial cells broadens the host response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the airways

Early events in the human airways determining whether exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) results in acquisition of infection are poorly understood. Epithelial cells are the dominant cell type in the lungs, but little is known about their role in tuberculosis. We hypothesised that human primary airway epithelial cells are part of the first line of defense against Mtb-infection and contribute to the protective host response in the human respiratory tract. We modelled these early airway-interactions with human primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs) and alveolar macrophages. By combining in vitro infection and transwell co-culture models with a global transcriptomic approach, we identified PBECs to be inert to direct Mtb-infection, yet to be potent responders within an Mtb-activated immune network, mediated by IL1β and type I interferon (IFN). Activation of PBECs by Mtb-infected alveolar macrophages and monocytes increased expression of known and novel antimycobacterial peptides, defensins and S100-family members and epithelial-myeloid interactions further shaped the immunological environment during Mtb-infection by promoting neutrophil influx. This is the first in depth analysis of the primary epithelial response to infection and offers new insights into their emerging role in tuberculosis through complementing and amplifying responses to Mtb

Interactions of natural killer cells, dendritic cells and chemokines in Mycobacterium bovis infection

Bovine Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M.bovis), has seen a significant rise in incidence in recent years, posing a considerable burden to the UK economy. Protective immunity is associated in part, with rapid IFNγ production and early Th1 polarisation. Natural Killer (NK) cells are known to be a significant source of IFNγ and may therefore play a pivotal role in the innate immune response to mycobacterial infection. This study hypothesised that bovine NK cells participate in the immune response to bovine TB by migrating towards and reciprocally interacting with M.bovis infected dendritic cells (DCs). Bovine NK cells comprise a heterogeneous population characterised by the expression of NKp46 and CD2. Quantitative PCR analyses revealed that blood derived NKp46+ CD2- NK cells transcribed higher levels of important inflammatory and lymphoid homing chemokine receptors and preferentially migrated towards M.bovis infected DCs within in vitro chemotaxis assays when compared with NKp46+ CD2+ NK cells. Furthermore, within co-culture assays, M.bovis infected DCs selectively induced the release of IFNγ from NKp46+ CD2- NK cells with no detectable levels of IFNγ produced by NKp46+ CD2+ cells. This was partially reliant upon IL-12 secreted by M.bovis infected DCs as well as direct cell-cell contact. In addition, NKp46+ CD2- NK cells were able to reciprocally activate infected DCs resulting in up-regulation of cell surface MHC class II. Furthermore, IFNγ expressing NKp46+ CD2- NK cells were detected in the peripheral circulation of cattle as early as two days following experimental infection with M.bovis. This study has provided evidence of reciprocal interactions between CD2- NK cells and mycobacterially infected DCs that could augment both antigen presentation and Th1 biased immune responses. Therefore, this minor blood derived CD2- NK cell subset may be selectively responsible for promoting a protective immune response during the early phases of M.bovis infection and represents a potential target for future vaccination strategies.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Culturable Aerobic and Facultative Anaerobic Intestinal Bacterial Flora of Black Cobra (Naja naja karachiensis) in Southern Pakistan.

Using morphological analysis and biochemical testing, here for the first time, we determined the culturable gut bacterial flora (aerobes and facultative anaerobes) in the venomous Black Cobra (Naja naja karachiensis) from South Asia. The findings revealed that these snakes inhabit potentially pathogenic bacteria including Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shewanella putrefaciens, Aeromonas hydrophila, Salmonella sp., Moraxella sp., Bacillus sp., Ochrobactrum anthropi, and Providencia rettgeri. These findings are of concern, as injury from snake bite can result in wound infections and tissue necrosis leading to sepsis/necrotizing fasciitis and/or expose consumers of snake meat/medicine in the community to infections

Culturable Aerobic and Facultative Anaerobic Intestinal Bacterial Flora of Black Cobra (Naja naja karachiensis) in Southern Pakistan.

Using morphological analysis and biochemical testing, here for the first time, we determined the culturable gut bacterial flora (aerobes and facultative anaerobes) in the venomous Black Cobra (Naja naja karachiensis) from South Asia. The findings revealed that these snakes inhabit potentially pathogenic bacteria including Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shewanella putrefaciens, Aeromonas hydrophila, Salmonella sp., Moraxella sp., Bacillus sp., Ochrobactrum anthropi, and Providencia rettgeri. These findings are of concern, as injury from snake bite can result in wound infections and tissue necrosis leading to sepsis/necrotizing fasciitis and/or expose consumers of snake meat/medicine in the community to infections

ECO-PSYCHOLOGICAL LIBERATION IN YAHYA ASHOUR'S SELECTIVE POETRY

The Palestinian people have a deep affinity for nature, particularly expressed through their affection for olive trees, the sea, and the open sky. To them, these natural elements symbolize a deep connection with the land and their identity. Unfortunately, the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict has resulted in the destruction of these cherished natural elements; e.g., olive trees are uprooted to clear space for illegal Israeli settlements, the sea is bombed, and the sky is polluted with dust and smoke, making it difficult to breathe both in real and figurative sense. This not only affects the land but also undermines the Palestinians sense of self. This study examines the eco-psychological components present in the poetry of Yahya Ashour with emphasis on interaction between human psyche and the natural world. The study aims to explore how the poet’s engagement with nature acts as a catalyst for psychological liberation, emphasizing the potential for freedom, healing, and catharsis amidst the challenges of living under siege in Gaza. It intends to illustrate the symbolic use of natural elements to form ecological relationships and reveal the psychological depth embedded in Ashour’s poems. Using qualitative methodology, which includes conceptual content analysis of selected poems translated from Arabic to English by Ashour himself, the research aims to examine how Ashour’s poetry captures and reflects free-flowing thoughts as a coping mechanism for ongoing trauma. The study will be guided by the theory of Howard Clineball, proposing that individuals can achieve psychological wholeness by reconnecting with nature, and that individual form ecological identity when they perceive themselves as essential parts of the natural world. Therefore, the study seeks to demonstrate that association with natural elements can enhance self-awareness and form ecological identity, resulting in self-discovery and psychological restoration despite the Palestinian's restricted physical mobility

Subset-specific expression of toll-like receptors by bovine afferent lymph dendritic cells

Within the ruminant system, several possibilities exist to generate dendritic cells migrating out from the tissue into the regional draining lymph nodes as afferent lymph dendritic cells (ALDCs). Here, we analyzed toll-like receptor (TLR) 1–10 mRNA expression by using quantitative real-time PCR in highly purified subsets of bovine ALDC. As TLR expression may be influenced by pathogens or vaccines and their adjuvant, it is necessary to understand what TLRs are expressed in a steady-state system to elucidate specific differences and to potentially optimize targeted vaccines. In this study, we have assessed the TLR expression profiles of the four main bovine ALDC subsets [cDC1 and cDC2 (subsets 2–4)]. We demonstrate differences in TLR expression between the four subsets that may reflect the ability of these cells to respond to different pathogens or to respond to adjuvants

Factors associated with COVID-19-related mental health among Asian Indians in the United States

Background: In the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased mental health symptoms and mental illness. Specific subgroups such as Asian Indians in the US have also been subject to additional stressors due to unprecedented loss of lives in their home country and increased Asian hate due to the misperception that Asians are to be blamed for the spread of the SARS-CoV-2. Objective: We examined the various factors including discrimination associated with COVID-19-related mental health symptoms among Asian Indians. Methods: We administered an online survey between May 2021 and July 2021 using convenient and snowball sampling methods to recruit Asian Indian adults (age > 18 years, N = 289). The survey included questions on mental health and the experience with unfair treatment in day-to-day life. Descriptive analysis and logistic regressions were performed. Results: Overall, 46.0% reported feeling down, depressed, or lonely and feeling nervous, tense, or worried due to the COVID-19 pandemic; 90.0% had received at least one dose of vaccination and 74.7% reported some form of discrimination. In the fully-adjusted logistic regression, age (AOR = 0.95; 95%CI- 0.92, 0.97;p < 0.01) and general health (AOR=0.84; 95%CI- 0.73, 0.97; p < 0.015) were negatively associated with mental health symptoms. Participants who experienced discrimination were more likely (AOR=1.26; 95%CI- 1.08, 1.46; p < 0.01) to report mental health symptoms. Conclusion: In this highly vaccinated group of Asian Indians discriminatory behaviors were associated with mental health symptoms suggesting the need for novel institutional level policy responses to reduce anti-Asian racis