Volume 46, Issue 3

Innate immune receptors detect nucleic acids, such as viruses, and initiate an immune response by secreting interferon (IFN) and regulating IFN-stimulated genes ( ISG ). in autoimmune conditions, expression of ISGs funded, show the activation of nucleic acid sensory pathways. However, the nucleus-localized innate sensors are recently found to detect pathogenic nucleic acids for initiating innate response, demonstrating a complicated crosstalk with cytoplasmic sensors and signaling molecules to form an elaborate tiered innate signaling network between nucleus and cytoplasm. to sustain immune hemostasis, these innate immune sensors develop different strategies for discriminating between self or non-self-nucleic acid. We reviewed all the sensors involved in the innate immune system in the present study. A better understanding of these sensors can lead to new treatments for infections, cancer, and autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.

Objectives To investigate the latest cutoff value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I for major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) during the perioperative period of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods A total of 200 patients, into MACEs and non-MACEs groups according to the occurrence of MACEs over a 12 day postoperative period underwent a complete baseline history survey, physical examination, 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), and laboratory examination during a preoperative cardiology consultation. Serum levels of hs-TnI, myohemoglobin, creatine kinase MB isoform (CK-MB), and B-type natriuretic peptide were assessed using a Beckman DXI800 automatic chemiluminescence immune analyzer. Results The 200 patients were classified into the MACEs (n=10) and non-MACEs (n=190) groups. Based on a receiver-operating characteristic analysis, the optimal 4–6 h postoperative hs-TnI, CK-MB, and MYO joint cut-off levels for predicting perioperative MACEs were 2,622.3 pg/mL, 17.9 ng/mL, and 190.2 ng/mL, respectively. The AUC was 0.779 (95% confidence interval: 0.622–0.937; p<0.05) with a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 74.0%. When the hs-TnI, CK-MB, and MYO levels exceeded the joint cut-off levels, the incidence of MACEs was significantly increased during the perioperative period (Log rank p<0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that dyslipidemia, left ventricular ejection fraction <50%, hs-TnI level, and myohemoglobin level were the main risk factors for MACEs after CABG (p<0.05). Conclusion An hs-TnI level of 2,622.3 pg/mL, CK-MB level of 17.9 ng/mL, and MYO level of 190.2 ng/mL were the cutoff values for predicting MACEs. Dyslipidemia, left ventricular ejection fraction <50%, hs-TnI level, and myohemoglobin level were the main risk factors for MACEs after CABG.

Objectives Third dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was started from December 1, 2021 in Japan. However, data on the precise analysis of the side effects after third vaccination, remain scarce. Here, we examined the side effects and the levels of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody in healthy volunteers who underwent BNT162b2 vaccination. Methods Forty-one healthy volunteers were assessed for the side effects of the vaccination for the third dose, and samples were used for the measurement of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody with chemiluminescent assays against the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of the virus. Results We analyzed the humoral responses and found that the IgG levels showed clear declining trends with age. Commonly reported side effects in the participants after the third dose were similar to those in second dose, such as, generalized weakness/fatigue (65.9%), headache (58.5%), and sore arm/pain (87.8%). The frequency of the fever was slightly less (39.0%), compared to the second dose (57.5%), but localized symptoms, such as itching (14.6%) and lymphadenopathy (14.6%) were not negligible, which were not seen at the second dose. The number of side effects were tended to be decreased with age. Conclusions The production of IgG after the third doses of BNT162b2 vaccination decreases age-dependently. The number of side effects were tended to be decreased with age. The high frequencies of generalized weakness/fatigue, fever, and sore arm/pain were not negligible, after the third dose.

Objectives Exercise induces telomerase activity and regulates shelterin expression. These effects are believed to preserve telomeres. However, the impact of exercise intensity on telomerase and shelterins has not been studied systematically. This pilot study investigated the kinetics of leukocyte telomerase activity (LTA) and the expression of telomere-related genes in response to exercise at different intensities. Methods Seven healthy women completed three exercise sessions at low, moderate and high intensity on a stationary bicycle ergometer. Blood was collected before, 24 and 48 h after each session. LTA, leukocyte telomere length (LTL), expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), telomeric repeat binding factor 1 (TERF-1), 2 (TERF-2) and the serum concentration of telomeric repeat binding factor-1 protein (TRF-1) were determined. Results LTA increased 24 h after moderate and high intensity exercise and returned to baseline levels after 48 h. TERF-2 expression showed a tendency to decrease 24 h after high-intensity exercise. Other markers (TERT, TERF-1, LTL, TRF-1) were not affected by any intensity. Conclusions From the present results it can be concluded that the telomeric effects of exercise are short-lived and depend on the intensity level. Future studies should confirm these results in a larger cohort focusing on the first 24 h post-exercise.

Objectives Patients treated with clozapine are required to have regular venous blood samples taken to measure white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil counts to reduce the risk of agranulocytosis. The need for regular venous blood sampling can deter patients and clinicians from treatment with clozapine. Finger prick sampling offers patients a simpler and less invasive technique that is likely to be more acceptable. We undertook to evaluate a novel point of care testing (POCT) device which measures WBC and neutrophil counts using a small volume of capillary blood from a finger prick sample. Methods A total of 215 patients who were being treated with clozapine and were having a venous blood sample taken for haematological monitoring also provided a fingerprick capillary blood sample. The capillary and venous samples were tested using the Sight OLO ® POCT analyser, and the venous sample also tested using a standard laboratory method. Results For both the WBC and the neutrophil counts, there was a strong correlation between the results from the standard laboratory venous method and the POCT assay (R=0.94 and 0.95, respectively for capillary blood samples, and R=0.98 for both WBC and neutrophil counts for venous blood samples). Compared with the standard laboratory venous blood method, mean biases were −1.0×10 9 /L for WBC and −0.5×10 9 /L for neutrophils for the capillary blood POCT method, and −0.4×10 9 /L for WBC and −0.4×10 9 /L for neutrophils for the venous blood POCT method. Overall, 6 of 215 (2.8%) of patients had levels below clozapine monitoring thresholds (WBC <3.5×10 9 /L and Neutrophils <1.5×10 9 /L) by capillary blood, and 5 (2.3%) by venous blood by POCT. Of these, 2 had sub-threshold counts on the standard laboratory method. Conclusions The POCT analyser provided results for both WBC and neutrophil counts that were comparable with those from a standard venous blood laboratory method. Using POCT devices may make haematological monitoring easier in patients being treated with clozapine, and thereby increase the use of clozapine in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Objectives Not many reports have covered large-scale point of care testing (POCT) blood glucose comparisons, and many interfering factors affect detection. This study aims to verify the performance of POCT blood glucose meters and discusses the factors that interfere with detection. Methods Accuracy and precision verification in five glucose concentration groups-high 1 (H1), High 2 (H2), medium 1 (M1), medium 2 (M2), and low (L); comparison of different test methods and specimens; and also the influence of iodophor was investigated in a dilution experiment. Results A total of 58 out of 64 Accu-Chek Inform II POCT blood glucose meters (ACI II) qualified for testing. A proportional significant difference in the relative bias was observed with the POCT instruments in the intermediate and high glucose concentration groups (H=15.364, p=0.02). There were significant differences among the five groups with compliance rates ( χ 2 =21.03, p=0.00); Group L showed higher values than groups H1 and H2. The precision verification met the requirements issued by the Consensus. Significant differences were found between the three detection methods. The measurement of the Glucose Oxidase Method (Cobas B 123) was lower than that of the HITACHI Plasma Hexokinase Method and the Glucose Dehydrogenase Method on the ACI II (p=0.005 and 0.003) in the preliminary study. No differences were seen among the three types of specimens (p>0.05). The glucose results were incorrect in the presence of iodophor interference. Conclusions The ACI II and Cobas B123 (with a slightly negative bias) provide sufficiently accurate measurements, and all types of blood specimens can be applied. Iodophor, a disinfectant, interferes with glucose measurement.