Exposure to long-term chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) can cause redox imbalance and inflammation, which may affect the integrity of the gut barrier. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of a probiotics bacterium mixture, including Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) and Bifidobacterium infantis (B. infantis), on the intestinal homeostasis in rats exposed to multiple low-intensity stressors for 28 days. The mechanism of CUMS-induced altered intestinal homeostasis was evaluated by focusing on the nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) pathway. In contrast to the CUMS group, probiotic mixture supplementation significantly (p < 0.01) reversed the stress-induced elevated corticosterone level, protein and lipid oxidation, and increased enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels, as well as upregulated Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway. Probiotics supplementation further significantly (p < 0.01) decreased the CUMS-induced inflammation, altered T-lymphocyte levels, and suppressed the protein expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in rat intestines. Improvement in histological changes and intestinal barrier integrity further validate the beneficial effects of probiotic mixtures on CUMS-induced altered intestinal morphology. In conclusion, our results suggest that the combination of C. butyricum and B. infantis significantly attenuated CUMS-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and T-lymphocyte modulation by upregulating Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling and inhibiting NF-κB expression in rat intestine.

Objectives: E. cloacae is an opportunistic organism that causes serious infections, particularly in immuno-compromised and hospitalized patients, along with the emergence of resistance traits. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the epidemiological pattern and resistance traits of E. cloacae infections as well as those of other bacteria. The study aims to assess the epidemiological patterns, resistance characteristics and clinical outcomes of E. cloacae in Saudi Arabia and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh provided the data between January 2019 and December 2021 for the retrospective study of 638 isolates of E. cloacae. The clinical outcome of an E. cloacae infection was also determined by collecting and statistically analyzing the clinical records of 153 ICU patients. Results: The total percentage of resistant E. cloacae isolates decreased from 48.36% in 2019 to 38% in 2020 and 37.6% in 2021. The overall mortality rate among ICU patients was 40.5%, with an adult age group having a substantial relative risk value of 1.37. Conclusion: E. cloacae is a prevalent nosocomial infection in which adult age is a significant risk factor for mortality. Moreover, this study emphasizes the importance of comparing E. cloacae resistance trends before and throughout the pandemic period in order to better understand the bacteria’s behaviour.

Isothiazolinone preservatives (methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) are commonly used in cosmetics, industrial and household products. However, these isothiazolinone derivatives are known to cause allergic contact dermatitis. Hence, a sensitive, accurate, and reliable method for the detection of these compounds is thus warranted. The study aims to analyze concentrations of MIT and CMIT by high performance liquid chromatography. The analytical method used for quantification of MIT and CMIT in cosmetic products (leave-on-baby wet wipes) complies with the validation acceptance criteria (international standards ISO 5725, EU25 European Union for cosmetic regulations). MIT and CMIT were extracted and analyzed in leave-on baby wet-wipes collected from different stores in Riyadh city. Extraction was performed by ultrasonication of the samples, solid-phase extraction, and liquid-liquid extraction. Ten (10) µL of the sample was injected into the HPLC system and samples were analyzed with a mixture of acetic acid and methanol (80:20 v/v) in an isocratic mode. The flow rate was maintained at 1 mL/min. UV detection was performed at 274 nm. The results demonstrated recoveries between 90 and 106%, measurement uncertainty of C +/− 0.4% for methylisothiazolinone and C +/− 0.03% for methylchloroisothiazolinone, repeatability limit (r = 0.2%) and intermediate precision limit; R = 2% and R² of 0.9996.

Female infertility (FI) is a global health issue. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of FI. The renalase gene (RNLS) is associated with FI and other human diseases. Based on the documented missense variants, rs6166 and rs2296545 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were not identified in Saudi women with FI and PCOS. This study aimed to investigate the molecular role of the two SNPs in Saudi women with FI and PCOS. In this cross-sectional study, 96 healthy controls, 96 women with FI, and 96 women with PCOS were recruited. DNA was isolated, and polymerase chain reactions and Sanger sequencing analysis were performed using rs6166 and rs2296545 SNPs. The data obtained from the three groups were used to perform statistical analyses based on genotype, allele frequencies, regression models, and ANOVA analysis. Both rs6166 and rs2296545 had no role in FI or PCOS in Saudi women. A predicted reason for non-association in Saudi women could be the role of elderly women in the controls compared with women with FI and PCOS. Moreover, age, weight, and body mass index were higher in the control group than the FI and PCOS groups. In conclusion, rs6166 and rs2296545 SNPs were not associated with FI or PCOS in Saudi women.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative connective tissue disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Recently, there has been a dramatic improvement in several vital concepts of immune pathophysiology underlying MS. Notably, one of the prerequisites to MS development is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Greater attention has been drawn towards promising, innovative immunotherapies in the management and treatment of MS. Whilst there are numerous immunotherapies currently proposed for MS, the B cell depleting therapy that predominantly uses the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) such as rituximab, ocrelizumab, and ofatumumab have demonstrated promising clinical benefits by targeting the memory B cells, which are the primary reservoir of EBV latency. Although mAbs have proved beneficial in the treatment of MS, they pose the risk of potential adverse effects. The current systematic review was undertaken to explore the therapeutic role of anti-CD20 therapy and its downsides in the treatment of MS and EBV infection. Clinical trials and prospective and retrospective studies reporting anti-CD20 therapy were carefully reviewed. The initial sections discuss the clinical features of MS, the probable link between EBV and MS, and the role of B cells in MS pathogenesis. Here, we show the potential role of anti-CD20 therapy more of a boon than a bane as the therapy yields more promising results for MS treatment. Nevertheless, the adverse effects could be minimized following a planned therapeutic regimen for treating MS patients.

Vaccines are vital for prevention and control of mycoplasma diseases. The exploration of a vaccine candidate for the development of a vaccine is imperative. The present study envisages the evaluation of immune and oxidative response against an adjuvanted, sonicated antigen of Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumonia in male Angora rabbits (1 year old, 2 kg) divided in four groups, each having six animals. Group 1 was the healthy control and received 1 mL PBS via subcutaneous route. Group 2 was administered 1 mL of saponin-adjuvanted and -sonicated antigen, Group 3 was given 1 mL of montanide ISA 50-adjuvanted and-sonicated antigen, and Group 4 was given 1 mL of standard vaccine via subcutaneous route. Animals were evaluated for cellular and humoral immune response and oxidative parameters at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of the study. Total leukocytic, neutrophilic, and basophilic counts showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in vaccinated groups compared to the healthy group on most of the intervals. TNF-α levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the Group 2 than the Group 1 at all the time intervals and more comparable to Group 4 than Group 3. IL-10 levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in vaccinated groups compared to the healthy group on days 14, 21, and 28, but were lower in Group 3 than in Group 2 and Group 4. More hypersensitivity as inflammation and histopathological cellular infiltration in the ear was produced in Group 2 and Group 4 than in Group 3. IgG levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in Group 2 and Group 4 than in Group 3 on days 14 and 21. Antibody titers were comparatively higher in Group 4, followed by Group 2 and 3, than Group 1. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher oxidant and lower antioxidant values were noted in Group 2 and 4 compared to Group 3 and Group 1 on most of the intervals. The TLC and antibody titer showed increasing trend throughout the trial, whereas TNF-α, IgG, L, M and E started decreasing from day 14, and IL-10, N and B started decreasing from day 21. This study concludes that the saponin-adjuvanted and-sonicated antigen induces comparatively higher immune response than montanide but is associated with oxidative and inflammatory reactions.