25 research outputs found
AquaÂchloridobis(diphenylÂglyoximato-Îș2 N,NâČ)cobalt(III) dihydrate
The asymmetric unit of the title complex, [Co(C14H11N2O2)2Cl(H2O)]·2H2O or [Co(dpgH)2Cl(H2O)]·2H2O, where dpgHâ is diphenyl glyoximate, consists of one-half of a [Co(dpgH)2Cl(H2O)] complex and one solvent water molÂecule. The complex is completed through inversion symmetry, with the CoIII atom situated at the centre of symmetry. The coordination geometry around the CoIII atom is distorted octaÂhedral with the four N atoms of the two dpgHâ ligands forming an approximate square plane with NâCoâN bite angles of 81.13â
(14) and 98.87â
(14)°. The Clâ ligand and the water molÂecule are disordered in a 1:1 ratio and are in the axial positions, almost perpendicular to the plane of the glyoximate ligands [OâCoâCl = 175.3â
(10)°]. The two glyoximate ligands are linked by strong intraÂmolecular OâHâŻO hydrogen bonds. In addition, OâHâŻO interÂactions involving the solvent water molÂecules and OâHâŻN hydrogen-bonding interÂactions are also observed. The solvent water molÂecule is disordered over five positions with different occupancies
AquaÂbromidobis(dimethylÂglyoximato)cobalt(III)
In the title complex, [CoBr(C4H7N2O2)2(H2O)], a crystalloÂgraphic mirror plane bisÂects the molÂecule, perpendicular to the glyoximate ligands. The geometry around the cobalt(III) atom is approximately octaÂhedral with the four glyoximate N atoms forming the square base. A bromide ion and the O atom of a water molÂecule occupy the remaining coordination sites. The NâCoâN bite angles are 82.18â
(4) and 80.03â
(16)°. The glyoximate moieties form strong intraÂmolecular OâHâŻO hydrogen bonds. The coordinated water molÂecule forms an interÂmolecular OâHâŻO hydrogen bond with a glyoximate O atom, thereby generating supraÂmolecular chains parallel to [010]
(Carbonato-Îș2 O,OâČ)bisÂ(5,5âČ-dimethyl-2,2âČ-bipyridyl-Îș2 N,NâČ)cobalt(III) bromide trihydrate
In the title complex, [Co(CO3)(C12H12N2)2]Br·3H2O, the CoIII cation has a distorted octaÂhedral coordination environment. It is chelated by four N atoms of two different 5,5âČ-dimethyl-2,2âČ-bipyridyl (dmbpy) ligands in axial and equatorial positions, and by two O atoms of a carbonate anion completing the equatorial positions. Although the water molÂecules are disordered and their H atoms were not located, there are typical OâŻO distances between 2.8 and 3.0â
Ă
, indicating OâHâŻO hydrogen bonding. The crystal packing is consolidated by CâHâŻO and CâHâŻBr hydrogen bonds, as well as ÏâÏ stacking interÂactions between adjacent pyridine rings of the dmbpy ligands, with centroidâcentroid distances of 3.694â
(3) and 3.7053â
(3)â
Ă
Harnessing the probiotic properties and immunomodulatory effects of fermented food-derived Limosilactobacillus fermentum strains: implications for environmental enteropathy
IntroductionEnvironmental enteropathy (EE), a chronic small intestine disease characterized by gut inflammation, is widely prevalent in low-income countries and is hypothesized to be caused by continuous exposure to fecal contamination. Targeted nutritional interventions using potential probiotic strains from fermented foods can be an effective strategy to inhibit enteric pathogens and prevent chronic gut inflammation.MethodsWe isolated potential strains from fermented rice water and lemon pickle and investigated their cell surface properties, antagonistic properties, adhesion to HT-29 cells, and inhibition of pathogen adherence to HT-29 cells. Bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS) were purified, and in vivo, survival studies in Caenorhabditis elegans infected with Salmonella enterica MW116733 were performed. We further checked the expression pattern of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL8, and IL-10) in HT-29 cells supplemented with strains.ResultsThe strains isolated from rice water (RS) and lemon pickle (T1) were identified as Limosilactobacillus fermentum MN410703 and MN410702, respectively. Strains showed probiotic properties like tolerance to low pH (pH 3.0), bile salts up to 0.5%, simulated gastric juice at low pH, and binding to extracellular matrix molecules. Auto-aggregation of T1 was in the range of 85% and significantly co-aggregated with Klebsiella pneumoniae, S. enterica, and Escherichia coli at 48, 79, and 65%, respectively. Both strains had a higher binding affinity to gelatin and heparin compared to Bacillus clausii. Susceptibility to most aminoglycoside, cephalosporin, and macrolide classes of antibiotics was also observed. RS showed BLIS activity against K. pneumoniae, S. aureus, and S. enterica at 60, 48, and 30%, respectively, and the protective effects of BLIS from RS in the C. elegans infection model demonstrated a 70% survival rate of the worms infected with S. enterica. RS and T1 demonstrated binding efficiency to HT-29 cell lines in the 38â46% range, and both strains inhibited the adhesion of E. coli MDR and S. enterica. Upregulation of IL-6 and IL-10 and the downregulation of IL-8 were observed when HT-29 cells were treated with RS, indicating the immunomodulatory effects of the strain.DiscussionThe potential strains identified could effectively inhibit enteric pathogens and prevent environmental enteropathy
Safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2: an interim analysis of four randomised controlled trials in Brazil, South Africa, and the UK.
BACKGROUND: A safe and efficacious vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), if deployed with high coverage, could contribute to the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in a pooled interim analysis of four trials. METHODS: This analysis includes data from four ongoing blinded, randomised, controlled trials done across the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. Participants aged 18 years and older were randomly assigned (1:1) to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine or control (meningococcal group A, C, W, and Y conjugate vaccine or saline). Participants in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group received two doses containing 5âĂâ1010 viral particles (standard dose; SD/SD cohort); a subset in the UK trial received a half dose as their first dose (low dose) and a standard dose as their second dose (LD/SD cohort). The primary efficacy analysis included symptomatic COVID-19 in seronegative participants with a nucleic acid amplification test-positive swab more than 14 days after a second dose of vaccine. Participants were analysed according to treatment received, with data cutoff on Nov 4, 2020. Vaccine efficacy was calculated as 1â-ârelative risk derived from a robust Poisson regression model adjusted for age. Studies are registered at ISRCTN89951424 and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04324606, NCT04400838, and NCT04444674. FINDINGS: Between April 23 and Nov 4, 2020, 23â848 participants were enrolled and 11â636 participants (7548 in the UK, 4088 in Brazil) were included in the interim primary efficacy analysis. In participants who received two standard doses, vaccine efficacy was 62·1% (95% CI 41·0-75·7; 27 [0·6%] of 4440 in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group vs71 [1·6%] of 4455 in the control group) and in participants who received a low dose followed by a standard dose, efficacy was 90·0% (67·4-97·0; three [0·2%] of 1367 vs 30 [2·2%] of 1374; pinteraction=0·010). Overall vaccine efficacy across both groups was 70·4% (95·8% CI 54·8-80·6; 30 [0·5%] of 5807 vs 101 [1·7%] of 5829). From 21 days after the first dose, there were ten cases hospitalised for COVID-19, all in the control arm; two were classified as severe COVID-19, including one death. There were 74â341 person-months of safety follow-up (median 3·4 months, IQR 1·3-4·8): 175 severe adverse events occurred in 168 participants, 84 events in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group and 91 in the control group. Three events were classified as possibly related to a vaccine: one in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group, one in the control group, and one in a participant who remains masked to group allocation. INTERPRETATION: ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 has an acceptable safety profile and has been found to be efficacious against symptomatic COVID-19 in this interim analysis of ongoing clinical trials. FUNDING: UK Research and Innovation, National Institutes for Health Research (NIHR), Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lemann Foundation, Rede D'Or, Brava and Telles Foundation, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Thames Valley and South Midland's NIHR Clinical Research Network, and AstraZeneca
Safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2: an interim analysis of four randomised controlled trials in Brazil, South Africa, and the UK
Background
A safe and efficacious vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), if deployed with high coverage, could contribute to the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in a pooled interim analysis of four trials.
Methods
This analysis includes data from four ongoing blinded, randomised, controlled trials done across the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. Participants aged 18 years and older were randomly assigned (1:1) to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine or control (meningococcal group A, C, W, and Y conjugate vaccine or saline). Participants in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group received two doses containing 5âĂâ1010 viral particles (standard dose; SD/SD cohort); a subset in the UK trial received a half dose as their first dose (low dose) and a standard dose as their second dose (LD/SD cohort). The primary efficacy analysis included symptomatic COVID-19 in seronegative participants with a nucleic acid amplification test-positive swab more than 14 days after a second dose of vaccine. Participants were analysed according to treatment received, with data cutoff on Nov 4, 2020. Vaccine efficacy was calculated as 1â-ârelative risk derived from a robust Poisson regression model adjusted for age. Studies are registered at ISRCTN89951424 and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04324606, NCT04400838, and NCT04444674.
Findings
Between April 23 and Nov 4, 2020, 23â848 participants were enrolled and 11â636 participants (7548 in the UK, 4088 in Brazil) were included in the interim primary efficacy analysis. In participants who received two standard doses, vaccine efficacy was 62·1% (95% CI 41·0â75·7; 27 [0·6%] of 4440 in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group vs71 [1·6%] of 4455 in the control group) and in participants who received a low dose followed by a standard dose, efficacy was 90·0% (67·4â97·0; three [0·2%] of 1367 vs 30 [2·2%] of 1374; pinteraction=0·010). Overall vaccine efficacy across both groups was 70·4% (95·8% CI 54·8â80·6; 30 [0·5%] of 5807 vs 101 [1·7%] of 5829). From 21 days after the first dose, there were ten cases hospitalised for COVID-19, all in the control arm; two were classified as severe COVID-19, including one death. There were 74â341 person-months of safety follow-up (median 3·4 months, IQR 1·3â4·8): 175 severe adverse events occurred in 168 participants, 84 events in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group and 91 in the control group. Three events were classified as possibly related to a vaccine: one in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group, one in the control group, and one in a participant who remains masked to group allocation.
Interpretation
ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 has an acceptable safety profile and has been found to be efficacious against symptomatic COVID-19 in this interim analysis of ongoing clinical trials
Effect of parental health beliefs and related dietary factors on adolescent health beliefs
Due to the character of the original source materials and the nature of batch digitization, quality control issues may be present in this document. Please report any quality issues you encounter to [email protected], referencing the URI of the item.Includes bibliographical references: p. 97-107.Adolescent health beliefs of 54 adolescents residing phics. in Texas were compared with their parental health beliefs, parenting style, maternal diet related activities and eating habits, to determine their influence on willingness and perceived ability to make changes in the diet and exercise habits. The Hea1th Belief Model (HBM) was applied in this study. Beliefs were based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the components of HBM identified included the perception that the guideline diets were unappetizing, perceived inconvenience and social influence, perceived cost and benefits, and perceived ability and willingness to change diet and exercise habits. The assessments done on the adolescents included anthropometric measurements, dietary recalls, activity recalls, venipuncture, step test and questionnaires administered to the adolescents and their parents by trained interviewers. Health beliefs were measured in separate questionnaire administered to the adolescents, and their mothers and fathers. Principal component analysis was done to identify factors underlying the health belief items, for the adolescents and their parents, in this study. The hypothesized relationships among adolescent health beliefs and parental health beliefs were tested using Pearson's product moment correlation and multiple regression. Certain components of the HBM, including perceived cost and benefits, and barriers such as inconvenience and perception that the guideline diets were unappetizing did not contribute in predicting behavioral changes among the adolescents. Perceived ability and willingness to change seemed to have had an influence but did not appear influence but did not appear consistently for all aspects of dietary changes. This suggests that the adolescents may not be sure about their health beliefs or that it is not considered as a priority. This was an exploratory study and it focused on all different aspects of the Dietary Guidelines. Thus it also suggests a reason for not finding one consistent predictor for all the different dietary outcomes. Parental health beliefs and other social influences such as parenting style and peer influence did not seem to have a consistent effect on the adolescent health beliefs. This suggests that the adolescents' health beliefs and health-related behaviors were being affected by a multitude of factors working in confluence
A case of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis presenting as pyrexia of unknown origin
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a potentially fatal hyper inflammatory condition, which occurs as either primary (genetic) or secondary (acquired) due to impaired or absent function of natural killer cells and cytotoxic cells. Common secondary causes include viral and bacterial infections, autoimmune diseases, and hematological malignancies. Extensive phagocytosis of blood cells by histiocytes in bone marrow, spleen, liver and lymphnodes result in peripheral blood cytopenias, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy. We evaluated a case of pyrexia of unknown origin and found out that he fulfilled the criteria for diagnosing HLH. He was started on immunochemotherapy with etoposide, cyclosporine and steroids, but he succumbed to illness within 2 weeks of treatment. High index of suspicion is needed to diagnose HLH and prompt treatment on diagnosis can be lifesaving