Changes in the levels of immunological markers after treatment in patients with allergic rhinitis

Introduction: Monitoring changes in the levels of immune markers is of great significance in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment in patients with allergic rhinitis. Objectives: Determine the change in the concentration of immune markers after treatment in patients with allergic rhinitis caused by cotton dust. Methods : A descriptive, single-group, comparative before and after intervention study on 52 patients with allergic rhinitis caused by cotton dust. Comparison of immunological markers results before and after 36 months of treatment. Results: Total IgE concentration after treatment decreased, the median decreased from 1227.756 U/mL to 676.805 UI/mL. Serum levels of IgG, IgG4, and IgG1 in patients after treatment increased compared to before (p< 0.001). The cytokines also changed in the direction of no longer responding toward allergy. Median IL-17 decreased from 1.752 mg/dL to 0.417 mg/dL. Conclusion: In patients with allergic rhinitis after specific sublingual desensitization treatment, IgE levels and cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-17 are significantly reduced and IgG, IgG4 and IgG1 levels are increased after treatment

Influence of the Preparation Method on Some Characteristics of Alginate/Chitosan/Lovastatin Composites

This study investigates the effects of direct and indirect dispersion methods for lovastatin solid dispersion (LSD) in alginate (AG)/chitosan (CS) composites on the characteristics and properties of the AG/CS/LSD composites. The preparation method significantly influences the structure, morphology, and LSD size distribution of the composites as well as the drug release of LSD from the samples. The differences in dispersion methods for LSD lead to differences in the interaction between the components, the structure, and the control drug release of LSD. Lovastatin was released from the samples containing LSD in two stages (a fast release stage and a slow release stage), and the drug release content prepared using the indirect method is lower than that prepared using the direct method in the same buffer solution. After 32 h of testing, the released LSD content from the indirect and direct LSD dispersion methods in pH 2 and pH 7.4 buffer solutions was 87–94% and 41–61%, respectively. Drug release kinetics from the above samples in solutions with different pH values was also set up

Maternal Vaginal Colonization and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Bacteria in Vietnamese Pregnant Women

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) resistance to commonly prescribed drugs is increasing in Vietnam. During pregnancy, ESBL-E may predispose women to reproductive tract infections and increases the risk for neonatal morbidity. Vaginal colonization and infections by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are seldom studied in Vietnam. In this study, we investigated ESBL-producing Enterobacterales in the birth canal of pregnant women. Between 2016 and 2020, vaginal swabs were collected from 3104 pregnant women (mean gestational age of 31 weeks) and inoculated onto MacConkey agar plates. Colonies were subjected to direct identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the VITEK®-2 automated compact system and disk diffusion. ESBL production was determined phenotypically. E. coli, Klebsiella species were identified in 30% (918/3104) of the vaginal swabs, with E. coli being the most common (73%; 667/918). ESBL-production was detected in 47% (432/918) of Enterobacterales, with frequent multidrug-resistant phenotype. The overall prevalence of carbapenem resistance was low (8%). Over 20% of Klebsiella spp. were carbapenem-resistant. Pregnant women had a high prevalence of colonization and may transmit ESBL-E to neonates at birth, an important risk factor to be considered. The high rate of ESBL-producers and carbapenem resistance in Enterobacterales in Vietnam emphasizes the need for consequent surveillance and access to molecular typing

Morbidity and Mortality Patterns in Children Admitted to Hospital in Thai Binh, Vietnam: A Five-year Descriptive Study with a Focus on Infectious Diseases

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