The Impact of HSV-1 Infection on Cell Viability, Morphology, and CD Markers Expression by Unpolarized and Cytokine-Polarized J774A.1 Mouse Macrophages

Macrophages play an important role in the immune system, particularly in neutralizing pathogens via phagocytosis and the production of multiple cytokines and chemokines that control infection after exposure to specific stimuli. Macrophages exhibit two different phenotypes, M1 and M2. This study evaluated the role of Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS)1 and SOCS3 on Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1) infection of polarized macrophages, cell viability, cell morphology, and the expression of cell surface CD markers. I hypothesized that J774A.1 murine macrophages cells in the naive state (M0), and M1 and M2 phenotypes would display differences in CD markers CD80,CD163, and CD200R, cell morphology, and viability following HSV-1infection and that the SOCS3 peptide mimetic would reduce the cytotoxicity associated with the M1 phenotype or HSV-1 infection. Unpolarized J774A.1 macrophages (M0) or polarized M1 and M2 phenotypes displayed differences in CD surface proteins at 18, 24, and 48 hours following HSV-1 infection and there was ~22% decrease in viability in M1 macrophages regardless of whether the macrophages were uninfected or infected with HSV-1. M2 macrophages demonstrated ~10% reductions in viability compared with infected M0 macrophage. Differences in cell morphology were noticed in uninfected polarized and unpolarized cells. M1 macrophages displayed irregular shapes and intracellular vacuoles were more pronounced at 24 and 48 hours compared to 18 hours. M0 appeared rounded or elongated, and M2 macrophages induced by IL-4, IL-10, or IL-13 showed elongation with the majority of cells appearing rounded. HSV-1-infected M0, M1 or M2 macrophages all became rounded and aggregated following HSV-1 infection. We found CD80 expression (by flow cytometry) was slightly deceased on uninfected M1 macrophages and M2 macrophages compared to uninfected M0 macrophages and infected M1 macrophages and IL-10-induced M2 macrophages also exhibited a minor increase in CD80. A reduction of CD163 expression occurred on M1 macrophages uninfected or infected with HSV-1. The level of CD163 on infected M2 macrophages was increased compared to uninfected M2 macrophage cells with the level being higher on infected IL-10-induced M2 macrophages. These observations were not statistically significant; however, the level of CD200R significantly increased on infected M2 macrophages polarized by IL-13 compared to CD200R expression in virus-infected M0 macrophages. Treatment with either SOCS3 peptide mimetic or pJAK2 increased the viability of polarized J774A.1 M1 macrophages. Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-a and IL-6 were reduced in polarized M1 macrophage treated with SOCS3 or pJAK2 peptide mimetic compared with polarized M1 untreated cells. Also, the SOCS3 peptide mimetic increased cell viability in M1 and HSV-1-infected M1 RAW264.7 and J774A.1 macrophages, but this increase was only significant in the RAW264.7 cells. This result suggests that SOCS3 mimetic exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by diminishing the lytic effect of M1 polarization. M1 cells treated with SOCS3 behave similar to the M2 phenotype and produce the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. This study highlights the events that lead to M1 versus M2 polarization and the knowledge gained regarding SOCS3\u27s ability to reduce inflammation may make it a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases

The Impact of HSV-1 Infection on Cell Viability, Morphology, and CD Markers Expression by Unpolarized and Cytokine-Polarized J774A.1 Mouse Macrophages

Macrophages play an important role in the immune system, particularly in neutralizing pathogens via phagocytosis and the production of multiple cytokines and chemokines that control infection after exposure to specific stimuli. Macrophages exhibit two different phenotypes, M1 and M2. This study evaluated the role of Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS)1 and SOCS3 on Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1) infection of polarized macrophages, cell viability, cell morphology, and the expression of cell surface CD markers. I hypothesized that J774A.1 murine macrophages cells in the naive state (M0), and M1 and M2 phenotypes would display differences in CD markers CD80,CD163, and CD200R, cell morphology, and viability following HSV-1infection and that the SOCS3 peptide mimetic would reduce the cytotoxicity associated with the M1 phenotype or HSV-1 infection. Unpolarized J774A.1 macrophages (M0) or polarized M1 and M2 phenotypes displayed differences in CD surface proteins at 18, 24, and 48 hours following HSV-1 infection and there was ~22% decrease in viability in M1 macrophages regardless of whether the macrophages were uninfected or infected with HSV-1. M2 macrophages demonstrated ~10% reductions in viability compared with infected M0 macrophage. Differences in cell morphology were noticed in uninfected polarized and unpolarized cells. M1 macrophages displayed irregular shapes and intracellular vacuoles were more pronounced at 24 and 48 hours compared to 18 hours. M0 appeared rounded or elongated, and M2 macrophages induced by IL-4, IL-10, or IL-13 showed elongation with the majority of cells appearing rounded. HSV-1-infected M0, M1 or M2 macrophages all became rounded and aggregated following HSV-1 infection. We found CD80 expression (by flow cytometry) was slightly deceased on uninfected M1 macrophages and M2 macrophages compared to uninfected M0 macrophages and infected M1 macrophages and IL-10-induced M2 macrophages also exhibited a minor increase in CD80. A reduction of CD163 expression occurred on M1 macrophages uninfected or infected with HSV-1. The level of CD163 on infected M2 macrophages was increased compared to uninfected M2 macrophage cells with the level being higher on infected IL-10-induced M2 macrophages. These observations were not statistically significant; however, the level of CD200R significantly increased on infected M2 macrophages polarized by IL-13 compared to CD200R expression in virus-infected M0 macrophages. Treatment with either SOCS3 peptide mimetic or pJAK2 increased the viability of polarized J774A.1 M1 macrophages. Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-a and IL-6 were reduced in polarized M1 macrophage treated with SOCS3 or pJAK2 peptide mimetic compared with polarized M1 untreated cells. Also, the SOCS3 peptide mimetic increased cell viability in M1 and HSV-1-infected M1 RAW264.7 and J774A.1 macrophages, but this increase was only significant in the RAW264.7 cells. This result suggests that SOCS3 mimetic exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by diminishing the lytic effect of M1 polarization. M1 cells treated with SOCS3 behave similar to the M2 phenotype and produce the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. This study highlights the events that lead to M1 versus M2 polarization and the knowledge gained regarding SOCS3\u27s ability to reduce inflammation may make it a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases

Knowledge, Attitude, and Effect on Future Practice Among Pregnant Women About Cord Blood Banking: A UAE Population-Based Survey

Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of powerful stem cells, which comes from the baby’s umbilical cord and can be collected immediately after birth. We surveyed the knowledge, attitude & decision of pregnant women regarding umbilical cord blood banking in the United Arab of Emirates (UAE). The purpose of the survey is to gauge and evaluate their level of knowledge and general attitudes about cord blood banking and associated therapies for stem cells and their effect on their practice. The secondary purpose was to better understand the impact of the knowledge and attitudes after an educational intervention performed by a trained Medical consultant whereby pregnant women were informed about cord blood banking. Keywords: cord blood banking, stem cells, UA

Identity, Investment, and Language Learning: The Case of Arab Immigrant Women in The United States

Building on Norton’s (2000) poststructuralist view of identity as a multiple, changing, site of struggle, this qualitative study aims to provide in-depth analysis about the dynamic relationship between identity, investment, and English language learning for Arab immigrant women in the United States. Furthermore, the present study adopts a critical discourse analysis as a methodological framework to address the following research questions: (1) How are Arab women’s identities shaped by their education and English learning in the United States?; (2) How were these women’s investment in learning English intersected by their socioeconomic status?; and (3) What were the elements that led the Arab female participants’ identity change? In order to address the research questions, narrative inquiry was employed using qualitative data, such as semi-structured in-depth individual interviews and a background questionnaire. The participants of the present study were three adult female English as a Second Language (ESL) learners, all from Arab origins. The findings suggested that the female participants were highly influenced by their sociocultural identities in a way that affected their personal and educational pathways. Furthermore, the results showed that their socioeconomic status impeded their investment in learning English. Finally, the study findings revealed a strong identity change due to the separation from the cultural standards and expectations for women in their home countries. This study points to the need to incorporate the learners’ culture in the target language instruction to facilitate the identity transformation and help their language learning improvement and success

KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES REGARDING VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING IMAM HUSSEIN MEDICAL CITY IN KARBALA 2018

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem. It is significantly associated with skeletal and non-skeletal problems. Prevention can be maintained mainly by effective sun exposure or supplementation and to lesser extent by dietary intake. To determine the magnitude of knowledge and practice of women towards vitamin D deficiency. Methods: A cross-sectional study, purposive sample of 442 women were approached who attended consultants’ clinics of Imam Hussein Medical City in Karbala. Data collection done between March 2 and June 30, 2018 through direct interviews using a special questionnaire prepared for the purpose of the study. Results: Less than half (45.2%) of the women had heard about vitamin D; their source of information was from relatives and friends then from health care provider. The mean score for the participants’ knowledge about VDD was 4.25 out of 9.0 (47%). It has a significant association with higher educational levels and urban residence. There is no significant difference regarding age, marital status or occupation. The mean score for the participants’ practice about vitamin D deficiency was 2.53 out of 5 (50.71%). There is no influence of practice score by socio-demographic factors. Conclusion: Overall knowledge towards vitamin D deficiency was suboptimal. Improving practices towards VD is directly related to increase knowledge about it that indicates the need to increase public awareness about the problem, encourage appropriate way of sun exposure, consumption of vitamin D rich food and taking supplementation when sun exposure is difficult

Symbolic Analysis of Waiting for Godot: A Critical Comparison Between the Bible and Quran Symbols in Waiting for Godot

Waiting for Godot (1952) is a conventional and remarkable play that is written by Irish author Samuel Beckett. The play Waiting for Godot is part of theater of absurd and it is written during modernism. This research is divided into three different sections and conclusion. Firstly the introduction for this research is given and the twentieth century drama, theater of the absurd, and the summary of the play. Also in an independent section we show other people’s work on the play Waiting for Godot. Later on we clarified the Biblical and Quranic symbols in Waiting for Godot and shows the comparison of the symbols in the holy books Quran and Bible in Waiting for Godot. Eventually, conclusion will be drawn as the final outcome of the study.

Antimicrobial activity of copper kaolinite and surfactant modified copper kaolinite against gram positive and gram negative bacteria

The aim of this research was to determine the antimicrobial activity of kaolinite modified with antimicrobial compounds against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Copper kaolinite (Cu-kaolinite) was prepared by loading raw kaolinite with copper nitrate trihydrate (CuNO3) while surfactant modified Cu-kaolinite (SM-Cu-kaolinite) was prepared by adding cationic surfactants hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium (HDTMA) on Cu-Kaolinite. Samples was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyzer. The antimicrobial activity of the samples was tested against Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 11229 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442), and Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212) through disc diffusion technique (DDT) and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). The results showed that the antimicrobial activity of Cu-kaolinite increased after modified with HDTMA due to the synergistic effects of Cu ions and HDTMA molecules on the kaolinite. The antimicrobial activity for surfactant modified Cu-kaolinite was greater for Gram positive bacteria compared to Gram negative bacteria. In conclusion, the attachment of HDTMA on Cu-kaolinite contributed to the enhanced antimicrobial activity against wide spectrum of bacteria (Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria)

Engagement of Local Heroes in Managing Flood Disaster: Lessons Learnt from the 2014 Flood of Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia

There were many lessons learned by the flood disaster that hit the peninsular of Malaysia at the end of 2014. Of particular interest was the success story of good flood management that emerged in Kemaman, Terengganu. This chapter sheds some light on the characteristics that contributed to this success. To enable appreciation of this achievement, a comparison between selected flood-inflicted areas is presented, pointing out the similarity between flood factors that, however, produced differences in flood impact. A post-disaster study, which included analysis of flood reports, site visits (which included the disaster site, flood command centre and relief centres) and interviews with those involved in the flood incident, was conducted. The findings revealed the use of technology, a good standard operating procedure and engagement of the local community to be key ingredients of its successful outcome. The study recommends the success of Kemaman to inspire flood management practice for other non-urban flood districts in Malaysia

Azithromycin Use in Upper Respiratory Infection

Antibiotic resistance is a problem that is growing worldwide. Misuse and overprescribing of antibiotics leads to a rise in pathogens that are resistant to the conventional drugs prescribed, causing increases in morbidity and mortality rates. Antibiotic resistance occurs when microbes still survive despite the presence of an antibiotic. The remaining microbes grow in strength and multiply until there is a population that are now resistant to treatment. One such treatment is azithromycin, an antibiotic often prescribed for upper respiratory tract infections (URI). A URI is any infection of the respiratory tract from the nasal cavities to the larynx that can have symptoms ranging from acute to severe and life-threatening. Although URIs are caused by either a viral or bacterial pathogens, antibiotics are not effective for viral infections. The current treatment guidelines for URIs do not recommend an initial antibiotic prescription, but encourage delayed antibiotic prescribing techniques in which the practitioner waits 48 to 72 hours before prescribing an antibiotic. However, these guidelines are not consistently followed. To determine the rate of azithromycin prescribing, this study will collect data from three different Federally Qualified Health Centers. These rates will then be compared with the number of articles available in the PubMed database on the topic of antibiotic resistance, to determine whether the current literature available on antibiotic prescribing has an effect in decreasing the misuse of antibiotics. Results from this study will be used to enhance clinical performance. Our data can add to already existing campaigns within pharmacy, as well as promote pharmacists’ responsibilities in patient care involvement and counseling for antibiotics. If there is no correlation found between antibiotic prescribing and education campaigns, this may be grounds for additional research to determine an alternate education methods to promote antibiotic stewardship

The defence of unsoundness of mind under section 84 of the penal code: a review of the courts approaches in determining such a defence / Nurul Jannah Sulaiman ... [et al.]

This dissertation examines the application of the defence of unsoundness of mind under section 84 of the Penal Code through the cases where this defence has been successfully raised. By examining these cases, it reveals the standards that have been put forward out by the court in sending their judgment. The core of the problem lies when there is no precise standard that has been laid down. Inferences were made by the society that this defence is not a good law since it opens up the opportunity to raise a bogus defence. This project paper concentrates on the determining factors that are taken into consideration by the judges in their judgment is concluded. Furthermore, this project paper also provides some recommendations and suggestions that can be considered in order to curb the problem on the imprecise factors or standards used by the court in applying this defence. Therefore, it comes to the conclusion that the defence of unsoundness of mind by virtue of section 84 of the Penal Code needs to be reviewed so that it would reduce or eliminate its use of a bogus defence cannot be successfully raised easily and to deal with the critiques and presumption made over the years