Methodological Considerations Regarding the Quantification of DNA Impurities in the COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Comirnaty.

DNA impurities can impact the safety of genetically engineered pharmaceuticals; thus, a specific limit value must be set for them during marketing authorisation. This particularly applies to mRNA vaccines, as large quantities of DNA templates are used for their production. Furthermore, when quantifying the total DNA content in the final product, we must observe that, in addition to the mRNA active ingredient, DNA impurities are also encased in lipid nanoparticles and are therefore difficult to quantify.

Analysis of Cellular Stress Assay Parameters and Intracellular ATP in Platelets: Comparison of Platelet Preparation Methods.

Platelets are metabolically active, anucleated and small circulating cells mainly responsible for the prevention of bleeding and maintenance of hemostasis. Previous studies showed that platelets mitochondrial content, function, and energy supply change during several diseases such as HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and in preeclampsia during pregnancy. These changes in platelets contributed to the severity of diseases and mortality.

The Determination of Mitochondrial Mass Is a Prerequisite for Accurate Assessment of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells' Oxidative Metabolism.

Mitochondria are responsible for ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation in cells. However, there are limited data on the influence of mitochondrial mass (MM) in the adequate assessment of cellular stress assay (CSA) results in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine MM in PBMCS and assess its influence on the results of CSA measurements.

Cellular Stress Assay in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells: Factors Influencing Its Results.

Cellular stress is central to the understanding of pathological mechanisms and the development of new therapeutic strategies and serves as a biomarker for disease progression in neurodegeneration, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. The common cellular stress assay (CSA) based on Seahorse technology in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) shows inconsistent results, which prevents its use as a biomarker for the progression of chronic diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate potential factors that affect the CSA in PBMCs.

Flow-Cytometry Intracellular Detection and Quantification of HIV1 p24 Antigen and Immunocheckpoint Molecules in T Cells among HIV/AIDS Patients.

Introduction: HIV p24 antigen-positive T cells measured by flow cytometry (FCM) correlate directly with HIV viral load, inversely with CD T cells, and decrease with antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, the sensitivity of FCM assays depends on the protocol of intracellular staining. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of our FCM protocol for detection of HIV p24-positive T cells and measure the level of immunocheckpoint molecules (PD1 and TIM3) in T cells.

Ozone high dose therapy (OHT) improves mitochondrial bioenergetics in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Background: The worldwide increasing number of people with chronic diseases is pushing conventional therapy to its limits. The so-called Major AutoHaemo Therapy (MAH) has been used in many practices for years. Despite suspicions, especially the 10-passes ozone-high-dosis Therapy (OHT) has shown substantial benefits in chronic ailments.

Effects of Hyperoxia on Aging Biomarkers: A Systematic Review.

The effects of short-term hyperoxia on age-related diseases and aging biomarkers have been reported in animal and human experiments using different protocols; however, the findings of the studies remain conflicting. In this systematic review, we summarized the existing reports in the effects of short-term hyperoxia on age-related diseases, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), and other oxygen-sensitive transcription factors relevant to aging, telomere length, cellular senescence, and its side effects. This review was done as described in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline.

Effects of Intermittent Hypoxia in Training Regimes and in Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Aging Biomarkers and Age-Related Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Unlabelled: Several studies have assessed the effects of intermittent hypoxia-normoxia training (IHNT), intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia training (IHHT), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on aging and age-related diseases in humans; however, the results remain contradictory. Therefore, this review aims to systematically summarize the available studies on the effects of IHNT, IHHT, and OSA on aging and age-related diseases. Relevant studies were searched from PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library databases, and through manual searching from reference lists of eligible studies.

Affects Protein and Lipid Content of Circulating Exosomes in Infected Patients Depending on Tuberculosis Disease State.

Tuberculosis (TB), which is caused by the bacterium (), is still one of the deadliest infectious diseases. Understanding how the host and pathogen interact in active TB will have a significant impact on global TB control efforts. Exosomes are increasingly recognized as a means of cell-to-cell contact and exchange of soluble mediators.

Context-aware genomic surveillance reveals hidden transmission of a carbapenemase-producing .

Genomic surveillance can inform effective public health responses to pathogen outbreaks. However, integration of non-local data is rarely done. We investigate two large hospital outbreaks of a carbapenemase-carrying strain in Germany and show the value of contextual data.

Exosomes in serum‑free cultures of THP‑1 macrophages infected with .

It has been shown from the isolation and characterization of exosomes from cell culture media supplemented with fetal bovine serum that both their quality and purity are affected. The high abundance of serum proteins, including bovine cell derived exosomes, is also a potential source of contaminants, which may result in appreciable yields of impure exosomes, thereby leading to artifacts. Isolation and characterization of exosomes from cells maintained under serum‑free conditions should therefore ensure the high quality necessary for medical applications.

Studies of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA released from food allergen-activated neutrophils. Implications for non-IgE food allergy.

Although adverse food reactions are commonly divided into immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated food allergy (FA), and non-IgE FA, the current literature is providing support for the role of innate immune responses as an important component of non-IgE FA. Using a commercially available leukocyte activation (LA) assay, a recent quantitative study of total extracellular DNA released in cellular supernatants of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed either to positive or negative tested foods demonstrated that leukocytes exposed to foods with positive LA test results showed higher DNA content than those exposed to foods with negative LA test results. In humans, the origin of DNA might be either the nucleus or the mitochondria.

Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Bacterial Isolates from Neonatal Sepsis Patients at University Hospital of Leipzig, Germany.

Neonatal sepsis caused by resistant bacteria is a worldwide concern due to the associated high mortality and increased hospitals costs. Bacterial pathogens causing neonatal sepsis and their antibiotic resistance patterns vary among hospital settings and at different points in time. This study aimed to determine the antibiotic resistance patterns of pathogens causing neonatal sepsis and to assess trends in antibiotic resistance.

Composition and Clinical Significance of Exosomes in Tuberculosis: A Systematic Literature Review.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health issue worldwide. In order to contain TB infections, improved vaccines as well as accurate and reliable diagnostic tools are desirable. Exosomes are employed for the diagnosis of various diseases.

The Diagnostic Performance of Interleukin-6 and C-Reactive Protein for Early Identification of Neonatal Sepsis.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are being used for diagnosis of sepsis. However, studies have reported varying cut-off levels and diagnostic performance. This study aims to investigate the optimal cut-off levels and performance of IL-6 and CRP for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

Apparent overuse of antibiotics in the management of watery diarrhoea in children in Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Background: Diarrhoea remains an important cause of childhood mortality in Nigeria, with Rotavirus and Cryptosporidium reported to have the highest contribution. However, high use of antibiotics for treatment of paediatric diarrhoea has been observed, although World Health Organization guidelines discourage the use of antibiotics for treating acute diarrhoea. Here we investigated more closely management and treatment practices for acute paediatric diarrhoea, both in home and healthcare settings.

Pomegranate extract specifically inhibits growth and toxin production without disturbing the beneficial bacteria in vitro.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the pomegranate juice against the growth and toxin production of multidrug-resistant hypervirulent strain NAP1/027/BI and also against the growth of beneficial bacteria to prevent or suppress infection (CDI).

Materials And Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were taken as parameters for the assessment of antimicrobial property of the pomegranate juice. Four different hypervirulent strains NAP1/027/BI, spp.

Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) for postoperative secondary peritonitis: Effect on bacterial load as well as local and systemic cytokine response (initial results).

Background: It is still a matter of debate what the best management of peritonitis is following eliminating the source of infection. This particularly concerns the amplitude of local and systemic inflammatory response as well as bacterial clearence at the infectious site.

Aim: To investigate the effects of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) vs.

Lipoprotein turnover and possible remnant accumulation in preeclampsia: insights from the Freiburg Preeclampsia H.E.L.P.-apheresis study.

Background: Preeclampsia is a life-threatening disease in pregnancy, and its complex pathomechanisms are poorly understood. In preeclampsia, lipid metabolism is substantially altered. In late onset preeclampsia, remnant removal disease like lipoprotein profiles have been observed.

[Decolonization of Health Care Workers In a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Carrying a Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Isolate].

Background: In 2016, an increased rate of methicillin-susceptible colonization was detected on a neonatal intensive care unit at the Leipzig University Hospital. Typing results showed a predominant -type t091. Considering nosocomial clustering, several infection prevention measures (e.

Unraveling the gut microbiome of the long-lived naked mole-rat.

The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) is a subterranean mouse-sized African mammal that shows astonishingly few age-related degenerative changes and seems to not be affected by cancer. These features make this wild rodent an excellent model to study the biology of healthy aging and longevity. Here we characterize for the first time the intestinal microbial ecosystem of the naked mole-rat in comparison to humans and other mammals, highlighting peculiarities related to the specific living environment, such as the enrichment in bacteria able to utilize soil sulfate as a terminal electron acceptor to sustain an anaerobic oxidative metabolism.

Isolation, biochemical and molecular identification of Nocardia species among TB suspects in northeastern, Tanzania; a forgotten or neglected threat?

Background: Pulmonary nocardiosis mimic pulmonary tuberculosis in most clinical and radiological manifestations. In Tanzania, where tuberculosis is one of the major public health threat clinical impact of nocardiosis as the cause of the human disease remains unknown. The objective of the present study was to isolate and identify Nocardia isolates recovered from TB suspects in Northeastern, Tanzania by using biochemical and molecular methods.

SURVEILLANCE FOR VANCOMYCIN RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCI IN A TERTIARY INSTITUTION IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA.

Background: Enterococci are responsible for up to 12% of cases of healthcare associated infections worldwide and cause life threatening infections among critically ill patients. They show intrinsic and acquired resistance to a wide range of antimicrobial agents. Glycopeptide resistance is due to , , , , , and genes.

High group B streptococcus carriage rates in pregnant women in a tertiary institution in Nigeria.

Introduction: In contrast to industrialized countries, until recently Group B Streptococcus (GBS) was infrequently reported in the developing world. This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence of GBS maternal colonization and to analyze the serotype distribution among the isolates.

Methods: Vagino-rectal swabs collected from pregnant women were cultured for GBS using conventional media.

Ethyl Pyruvate: An Anti-Microbial Agent that Selectively Targets Pathobionts and Biofilms.

The microbiota has a strong influence on health and disease in humans. A causative shift favoring pathobionts is strongly linked to diseases. Therefore, anti-microbial agents selectively targeting potential pathogens as well as their biofilms are urgently demanded.