Search

The human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant health concern, particularly for infants, young children, and the elderly. This virus is known to evolve continuously due to environmental factors and herd immunity. In light of this, our study aimed to analyze the genetic variability of the G protein in RSV-A and RSV-B genotypes in Kuwait from 2020 to 2022. Between January 2020 and September 2022, we collected 490 respiratory samples from hospitalized patients with acute respiratory tract infections. These samples were tested and confirmed positive for RSV using multiplex Real-Time PCR. Subsequently, the samples underwent nucleic acid sequencing using the advanced Nanopore sequencing technology to analyze the full-length G gene. Sequence analysis showed that 64 isolates (76%) were RSV-A, and 20 isolates (24%) were RSV-B. The G genes of RSV-A belonged to genotype GA2.3.5, while all the RSV-B genotypes belonged to GB5.0.5a. New lineages and sub-lineages of RSV-A and RSV-B were detected, indicating the circulation of new strains in Kuwait. Many unique and new amino acid changes, including insertions, were found in the G proteins of Kuwaiti isolates, with the highest variability in the second hypervariable region. An increased number of N and O-linked glycosylation sites were also identified in the G protein, which could speculate to alter the antigenicity of RSV. The identified changes in the G protein of RSV-A and RSV-B genotypes might result from immune pressure and could affect the antigenic characteristics of circulating strains in Kuwait. This could potentially lead to new RSV variants that can evade the immune response. Our in-depth analysis of the G proteins of both RSV-A and RSV-B could aid in the development of more potent treatments and vaccines.

Seaweeds are valuable sources of bioactive compounds in biomedicine, cosmetics, food, and pharmacology. The purpose of this investigation was to study the antimicrobial properties of organic solvent extracts from two red seaweed species (Melanothamnus somalensis & Gelidium omanense), and two brown seaweed species (Jolyna furcata & Nizamuddinia zanardinii) compiled from the southern coastline of Oman against several bacterial strains of global health concern (Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and one fungal strain (Candida albicans). Five organic solvents were used sequentially to achieve extraction. The solvents were applied in the following order: hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol. Only the methanol extract of Nizamuddinia zanardinii (MeNZ) showed interesting antimicrobial activity; the inhibition zone was 13 ± 1 mm. Furthermore, MeNZ was fractionated, and fraction 1 (MeNZ-F1) was recognized to have antimicrobial activity; the inhibition zone was 14.66 ± 0.57 mm. The stock concentration exhibited higher antimicrobial activity compared to the diluted concentrations after 3 h of incubation. The TEM and SEM results indicated that E. coli treated with the active fraction exhibited irregular shape, rough surface, and leakage of cellular content. Additionally, ribosomes were clustered and directed toward the inner membrane of the bacteria, while the DNA clustered in the center of the cell. In conclusion, the methanol extract of Nizamuddinia zanardinii has shown high efficacy against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Therefore, it can be a valuable candidate for improving/developing antimicrobial drugs in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

ABSTRACT The human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is considered one of the most common viruses that infect children globally. The virus is known to have extensive gene sequence variability within and between RSV groups A and B globally; however, there is no information on the whole-genome characterization and diversity of RSV in Kuwait. Therefore, this study aimed to sequence the entire genome of RSV strains isolated from patients with acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) in Kuwait. Therefore, this study aimed to sequence the entire genome of RSV strains isolated from patients with ARTI in Kuwait. Between January 2020 and September 2022, 7,093 respiratory samples were collected from hospitalized infants, children, and adults and were analyzed for respiratory viruses by multiplex real-time PCR. Whole-genome sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology was performed on 84 RSV-positive samples. The results revealed a higher prevalence of group A (76%) than group B (24%) RSV isolates. Phylogenetic analysis showed that RSV-A strains clustered with the GA2.3.5 sub-genotype and RSV-B strains clustered with the GB5.0.5a sub-genotype; however, forming new lineages of RSV-A and RSV-B circulated in Kuwait during this period. Genetic variability was higher among the group A viruses than group B viruses, and the rate of synonymous and missense mutations was high in genes other than the G protein-coding gene. We also detected several known and unique molecular markers in different protein-coding genes. This is the first study in Kuwait to characterize the whole genomes of RSV A and B to identify the circulating genotypes, comprehend the genetic diversity and the evolution of the virus, and identify important genetic markers associated with specific genotypes.IMPORTANCEWhole-genome sequencing of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) strains in Kuwait using MinION Nanopore technology was used to characterize and analyze the genotypes and sub-genotypes of the RSV circulating among patients with acute respiratory tract infections in Kuwait. This study also identified known and unknown gene mutations and imported genetic markers associated with specific genotypes. These results will assist in establishing a framework for RSV classification and allow for a better consideration of the mechanisms leading to the generation of diversity of RSV. In addition, these data will allow a comparison of vaccine viruses with those in Kuwait, providing useful insights into future vaccine and therapy strategies for RSV in Kuwait.

Reading is important for students by contributing significantly to success in their studies and their career development. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in the English Department of the College of Basic Education, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), in Kuwait. Based on 410 responses of EFL college students in Kuwait on their reading practices, it was found that students read mainly for entertainment, and reading does not appear to be a popular activity among students. Fiction, fashion, and best sellers were the three main types of reading, indicating that academic reading was not a priority. Only a small proportion of students used e-books. Most students perceived such features of e-books as their portability and ability to store more information as likely to attract more students to e-reading, and indicated that they would be attracted to reading e-books themselves if circumstances change. This indicates a good potential to promote e-reading among students if steps are taken to make e-books and e-readers available to them through libraries and academic institutions. E-reading is also expected to become more popular among students if it could be linked to academic reading, particularly to the availability of text books in e-format. Libraries in Kuwait should start more proactive program to promote e-books and e-reading among college and university students.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) has caused recent outbreaks of viral haemorrhagic fever in domestic pigs and wild boar in Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and North America. Control measures for African swine fever are limited in most countries to biosecurity at the farm gate followed by movement restrictions and selective or complete culling of pigs on affected premises. Modified live vaccines are being trialled in several countries, however development of safe and effective African swine fever subunit vaccines has been restricted by a poor understanding of the key antigens required for protection, particularly for the panzootic genotype II viruses. The cellular immune response is thought to be critical for protection against African swine fever and therefore to develop an effective subunit vaccine that stimulates an anti-ASFV T-cell response we screened lymphocytes from pigs which survived challenge with Georgia 2007/1. Using an overlapping peptide library corresponding to 168 annotated open reading frames and 24 potential minor open reading frames we identified seventeen proteins which strongly stimulated secretion of interferon gamma in an ELISpot assay. The phenotype of the T cells which were stimulated by these pools of peptides were then investigated by flow cytometry. Proteins stimulating predominantly CD8+ T cells were incorporated into bivalent replication deficient adenovirus vectors and tested as potential vaccine candidates in immunisation and challenge experiments in pigs.

There is an increasing awareness of the benefits that accrue from parental involvement in a student's academic learning and of the impact that teachers have on programs regarding such parental involvement. This study seeks to investigate the views of the teachers working in Kuwait's public schools regarding the effectiveness of parental involvement in their children's learning of English as a foreign language (EFL) in primary school. Epstein's Overlapping Spheres of influence framework (2002), provides the conceptual framework to address the study questions. Data collection was driven by the case study methodology. The data were triangulated from: (1) face-to-face interviews with 33 English language teachers having at least 5 years' experience in teaching English in a primary school; (2) documental analysis of the teachers' backgrounds; and (3) observing and tracking the reading activities included in the Kuwaiti curriculum that is used in the EFL classroom. Data collected from the documents and from the face-to-face interviews were analyzed using (Maxwell, 1996) strategies for analyzing qualitative data as that it helped prevent confusion. Three main themes emerged from the data. First, teachers believed that parental involvement in their children's preparatory learning of a foreign language was valuable, although the level of parental involvement varied, depending on the locality and the educational level of the parents. Second, teachers offered various suggestions to promote the parents' home reading activities with their children. Third, the teachers were fully aware of the deficiency in the reading skills of the student's in Kuwait's public schools. However, they did have insights and suggestions to overcome such challenges.

Artificial intelligence is dramatically transforming medical imaging. In Saudi Arabia, there are a lack of studies assessing the level of artificial intelligence use and reliably determining the perceived impact of artificial intelligence on the radiology workflow and the profession. We assessed the levels of artificial intelligence use among radiology trainees and correlated the perceived impact of artificial intelligence on the workflow and profession with the behavioral intention to use artificial intelligence. This cross-sectional study enrolled radiology trainees from Saudi Arabia, and a 5-part-structured questionnaire was disseminated. The items concerning the perceived impact of artificial intelligence on the radiology workflow conformed to the six-step standard workflow in radiology, which includes ordering and scheduling, protocoling and acquisition, image interpretation, reporting, communication, and billing. We included 98 participants. Few used artificial intelligence in routine practice (7%). The perceived impact of artificial intelligence on the radiology workflow was at a considerable level in all radiology workflow steps (range, 3.64–3.97 out of 5). Behavioral intention to use artificial intelligence was linearly correlated with the perceptions of its impact on the radiology workflow and on the profession (p < 0.001). Artificial intelligence is used at a low level in radiology. The perceived impact of artificial intelligence on radiology workflow and the profession is correlated to an increase in behavioral intention to use artificial intelligence. Thus, increasing awareness about the positive impact of artificial intelligence can improve its adoption.

The current study is a quantitative research that examined the mean differences of the students' attitude towards reading, based upon several demographic variables (such as gender, grade level and social media devices usage) The researchers used the Students' Reading Attitude Survey (SRAS) as the dependent variable; the sample consisted of 812 young elementary students (from the 5th and 6th grade) randomly selected from public schools. The research findings revealed that Kuwaiti students possess favorable attitudes toward both leisure and academic reading. Girls showed more positive attitudes toward reading than boys did. Younger students from the 5th grade showed more positive attitude toward reading than those of the 6th grade. Nevertheless, the results indicated that having an account in Instagram, Snap chat, or YouTube, or possessing a smart device had a negative effect on attitudes towards reading. This study is expected to help curriculum designers, education policy makers, and English teachers to promote independent reading amongst school students and enable them to move beyond traditional books by encouraging them to form a community of life-long readers in the Arab world.

The human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant health concern, particularly for infants, young children, and the elderly. This virus is known to evolve continuously due to environmental factors and herd immunity. In light of this, our study aimed to analyze the genetic variability of the G protein in RSV-A and RSV-B genotypes in Kuwait from 2020 to 2022. Between January 2020 and September 2022, we collected 490 respiratory samples from hospitalized patients with acute respiratory tract infections. These samples were tested and confirmed positive for RSV using multiplex Real-Time PCR. Subsequently, the samples underwent nucleic acid sequencing using the advanced Nanopore sequencing technology to analyze the full-length G gene. Sequence analysis showed that 64 isolates (76%) were RSV-A, and 20 isolates (24%) were RSV-B. The G genes of RSV-A belonged to genotype GA2.3.5, while all the RSV-B genotypes belonged to GB5.0.5a. New lineages and sub-lineages of RSV-A and RSV-B were detected, indicating the circulation of new strains in Kuwait. Many unique and new amino acid changes, including insertions, were found in the G proteins of Kuwaiti isolates, with the highest variability in the second hypervariable region. An increased number of N and O-linked glycosylation sites were also identified in the G protein, which could speculate to alter the antigenicity of RSV. The identified changes in the G protein of RSV-A and RSV-B genotypes might result from immune pressure and could affect the antigenic characteristics of circulating strains in Kuwait. This could potentially lead to new RSV variants that can evade the immune response. Our in-depth analysis of the G proteins of both RSV-A and RSV-B could aid in the development of more potent treatments and vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African swine fever (ASF) is a lethal disease in pigs that has grave socio-economic implications worldwide. For the development of vaccines against the African swine fever virus (ASFV), immunogenic antigens that generate protective immune responses need to be identified. There are over 150 viral proteins—many of which are uncharacterized—and humoral immunity to ASFV has not been closely examined. To profile antigen-specific antibody responses, we developed luciferase-linked antibody capture assays (LACAs) for a panel of ASFV capsid proteins and screened sera from inbred and outbred animals that were previously immunized with low-virulent ASFV before challenge with virulent ASFV. Antibodies to B646L/p72, D117L/p17, M1249L, and E120R/p14.5 were detected in this study; however, we were unable to detect B438L-specific antibodies. Anti-B646L/p72 and B602L antibodies were associated with recovery from disease after challenges with genotype I OUR T88/1 but not genotype II Georgia 2007/1. Antibody responses against M1249L and E120R/p14.5 were observed in animals with reduced clinical signs and viremia. Here, we present LACAs as a tool for the targeted profiling of antigen-specific antibody responses to inform vaccine development.

Abstract Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and IDH2 are oncogenic drivers to a variable extent in several tumors, including gliomas, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), cholangiocarcinoma, melanoma, and thyroid carcinoma. The pathobiological effects of these mutations vary considerably, impeding the identification of common expression profiles. We performed an expression meta-analysis between IDH-mutant (IDHmut) and IDH-wild-type (IDHwt) conditions in six human and mouse isogenic disease models. The datasets included colon cancer cells, glioma cells, heart tissue, hepatoblasts, and neural stem cells. Among differentially expressed genes (DEGs), serine protease 23 (PRSS23) was upregulated in four datasets, i.e., in human colon carcinoma cells, mouse heart tissue, mouse neural stem cells, and human glioma cells. Carbonic anhydrase 2 (CA2) and prolyl 3-hydroxylase 2 (P3H2) were upregulated in three datasets, and SOX2 overlapping transcript (SOX2-OT) was downregulated in three datasets. The most significantly overrepresented protein class was termed intercellular signal molecules. An additional DEG set contained genes that were both up- and downregulated in different datasets and included oxidases and extracellular matrix structural proteins as the most significantly overrepresented protein classes. In conclusion, this meta-analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the expression effects of IDH mutations shared between different isogenic disease models. The generated dataset includes biomarkers, e.g., PRSS23 that may gain relevance for further research or clinical applications in IDHmut tumors.

Objectives: The current study aims to investigate the relationship between the level of professional development of female teachers in Kuwaiti private schools and the level of implementation of organizational climate dimensions (organizational structure, administrative leadership, incentive system, participation in decision-making, training and development). Methods: The descriptive survey approach was used. The questionnaire was given to a sample of (125) female teachers working in private schools in Kuwait as a means of gathering the primary data. Results: According to the study, female teachers in private schools in the State of Kuwait were highly engaged in the organizational climate's components (organizational structure, administrative leadership, incentive system, participation in decision-making, training and development). Female teachers in private schools in the State of Kuwait experienced a significant degree of professional progress. At Kuwaiti private schools, the study discovered a positive relationship between organizational climate traits and female teachers' professional development, with statistical significance at the level of 0.05. Also, it was shown that there are statistically significant differences between the responses of the study sample due to the educational level and teaching experience factors and their interactions, favoring those with a bachelor's degree and more than 11 years of experience. Conclusions: The study came to the conclusion that there is a favorable association between the organizational climate characteristics and the professional development of female teachers in Kuwaiti private schools. According to the study, systems of financial and moral incentives should be strengthened, and all female teachers should receive financial and moral incentives.

Innate recognition of pathogens depends on the interaction between microbial structures known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in host cells. Toll-like receptors (TLR) are among the most important PRRs being expressed on and in a wide range of immune cell types. Studies on the interaction mechanisms between different pathogen species and the immune system of the dromedary camel are still scarce. The present study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of synthetic bacterial and viral TLR ligands on some phenotypic properties and selected functions of neutrophils purified from dromedary camel blood. Neutrophils were separated from camel blood (n = five animals) and were stimulated in vitro with the TLR ligands LPS, Pam3CSK4, R848 (Resiquimod), and Poly IC or were left without stimulation. Stimulation with the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was used as a positive control stimulation. Shape change, phagocytosis activity, ROS production, the expression of cell surface markers, and cell vitality were compared between stimulated and non-stimulated cells. With exception of the TLR3 agonist Poly IC, all TLR ligands used showed the potential to stimulate camel neutrophils resulting in increased cell size and the upregulation of CD18 and CD14 on their surface. Similarly, the phagocytosis activity of camel neutrophils was significantly improved after priming with all TLR ligands, except Poly IC, which, in contrast, resulted in a reduced percentage of phagocytosis-positive cells. In contrast to stimulation with PMA, which induced a significant ROS production in camel neutrophils, none of the TLR ligands used stimulated ROS generation in neutrophils. Only stimulation with Pam3CSK4 increased the expression of MHCII molecules on camel neutrophils, resulting in an expanded MHCIIhigh fraction within camel neutrophils. Our study indicates selective immunomodulating effects of TLR agonists on purified camel neutrophils without affecting their vitality.

(1) Toll-like receptors (TLR) are a family of pattern recognition receptors that sense distinct molecular patterns of microbial origin. Although the immune cell composition of camel milk has been recently described, host–pathogen interaction studies in the camel mammary gland are still scarce. The present study aimed to use a whole milk stimulation assay for investigating the modulatory effect of selected Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands on the phenotype and function of milk immune cells. (2) Methods—camel milk samples (n = 7) were stimulated in vitro with the TLR4 ligand LPS or the TLR2/1 ligand Pam3CSK4, and separated milk cells were evaluated for stimulation-induced shape change, the expression of cell surface markers, phagocytosis, apoptosis, ROS production, and NETosis. Stimulation with PMA was used as a control stimulation. (3) Results—all stimulants induced shape change in milk cells, change in the expression of several cell markers, and increased cell apoptosis and NETosis. In addition, stimulation with Pam3CSK4 and PMA was associated with enhanced ROS production, while only PMA stimulation resulted in enhanced bacterial phagocytosis by milk immune cells. (4) Conclusions—our data indicates selective modulating effects of the TLR ligands LPS and Pam3CSK4 on camel milk phagocytes. These results may have implications for the use of synthetic TLR agonists as immunomodulatory adjuvants of the immune response to intra-mammary vaccines against mastitis pathogens.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. With the global transmission of the virus, many SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged due to the alterations of the spike glycoprotein. Therefore, the S glycoprotein encoding gene has widely been used for the molecular analysis of SARS-Co-2 due to its features affecting antigenicity and immunogenicity. We analyzed the S gene sequences of 35 SARS-CoV-2 isolates in Kuwait from March 2020 to February 2021 using the Sanger method and MinION nanopore technology to confirm novel nucleotide alterations. Our results show that the Kuwaiti strains from clade 19A and B were the dominant variants early in the pandemic, while clade 20I (Alpha, V1) was the dominant variant from February 2021 onward. Besides the known mutations, 21 nucleotide deletions in the S glycoprotein in one Kuwaiti strain were detected, which might reveal a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 with the defective viral genome (DVG). This study emphasizes the importance of closely perceiving the emerging clades with these mutations during this continuous pandemic as some may influence the specificity of diagnostic tests, such as RT-PCR and even vaccine design directing these positions.

Background: To analyze the impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Approach (IMA) and use of INICC Surveillance Online System (ISOS) on ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) rates in Saudi Arabia from September 2013 to February 2017. Methods: A multicenter, prospective, before–after surveillance study on 14,961 patients in 37 intensive care units (ICUs) of 22 hospitals. During baseline, we performed outcome surveillance of VAP applying the definitions of the CDC/NHSN. During intervention, we implemented the IMA and the ISOS, which included: (1) a bundle of infection prevention practice interventions, (2) education, (3) outcome surveillance, (4) process surveillance, (5) feedback on VAP rates and consequences and (6) performance feedback of process surveillance. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed using generalized linear mixed models to estimate the effect of intervention. Results: The baseline rate of 7.84 VAPs per 1000 mechanical-ventilator (MV)-days―with 20,927 MV-days and 164 VAPs―, was reduced to 4.74 VAPs per 1000 MV-days―with 118,929 MV-days and 771 VAPs―, accounting for a 39% rate reduction (IDR 0.61; 95% CI 0.5–0.7; P 0.001). Conclusions: Implementing the IMA was associated with significant reductions in VAP rates in ICUs of Saudi Arabia. Keywords: Hospital infection, Healthcare-acquired infection, Hospital-acquired pneumonia, Nosocomial pneumonia, Limited-resource countries, Surveillance

Abstract The rheological characteristics of Kuwait crude oil samples were studied as a function of the American Petroleum Institute gravity (API), drag reduction material and concentration, isothermal and nonisothermal conditions, and mixer speed and frequency. Accurate measurements and analyses of rheological characteristics are important to determine the effect of a drag reduction agent and ambient conditions on the crude oil flow characteristics and required pumping power. Three crude oil samples obtained from different wells with API values of 14.81 (crude A), 16.33 (crude B) and 14.09 (crude C) were used in the experiments. Various polyacrylamide (PAM) concentrations were used to assess the effect on the rheological properties of the three crude oil samples. The disruption of wax crystal formation and the changes in loss modulus (G″), viscosity and strain were measured under isothermal and nonisothermal conditions. The PAM performance was compared with that of five surfactants, namely poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSSS), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), hexadecylphosphocholine (HTPC), and CHP, which is an equal molar ratio mixture of PSSS, CTAB and HTPC. For a surfactant concentration of 70 ppm, PSSS results in the lowest viscosity value for crude A, while CHP results in the lowest viscosity value for crude B. An increase in the loss modulus (G″) values was obtained with the addition of PSSS or CHP.

This study aims to explore the types of muscle contraction most closely related to the lunge fencing velocity by measuring the muscular contraction values ​​of the knee joint extension and flexion in three types of isokinetic contraction and comparing them to the lunge fencing velocity. In addition, the researchers used the descriptive approach on (6) Jordanian fencing team. Furthermore, the study sample were filmed during the lunge movement and after they stood on the force platform to measure the amount of force produced by the two legs during the push with the lunge movement, where the values ​​of the variables of maximum force, force rate, impulse, maximum torque, maximum torque time, angle were maximum torque, total work, fatigue effort, acceleration time, deceleration time, range of motion, work/body weight ratio, power rating and maximum torque/body weight ratio. The results showed a statistically significant correlation between the lunge fencing velocity and impulse and the maximum force. Furthermore, there are no statistically significant differences in the isokinetic variables on the biodex and the contraction type used in the flexion and extension of the knee joint. Based on the study results, the researchers recommen paying attention to training the speed-specific power as an essential component of increasing the lunge fencing velocity.

BackgroundIn the past infectious diseases affected the quality of lifestyle during home confinement. The study conducted examines the influence of home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak on lifestyle, mental wellbeing, nutritional status, and sleeping pattern.MethodAn online multicategorical questionnaire was distributed to collect demographic information combined with the following tools: Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), WHO-5 wellbeing score, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). A snowball non-discriminate sampling procedure was conducted to collect data from people attending or working at higher institutions from March 1, 2020 to April 24, 2020. A total of 1723 completed responses (917 males, 37.4 ±13.4 years old and 806 females 32.2 ± 11.5 years old) were collected.ResultsThe female participants had significantly lower mental health scores than males (53.9% vs. 46.1%). The mental wellbeing scores were higher among participants with medium and high physical activity (PA) levels (p < 0.00). Additionally, the mental wellbeing scores were significantly improved by dietary quality and it's sleeping score (p < 0.001). However, PA was by far the major determinant of the mental health scores.ConclusionFactors such as PA, diet, and sleeping patterns were associated with mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 confinement among Arab participants.

BackgroundColistin is a polypeptide antibiotic drug that targets lipopolysaccharides in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Inactivation of the mgrB-gene is a common mechanism behind colistin-resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kpn). Since colistin is a cyclic polypeptide, it may exhibit cross-resistance with the antimicrobial peptide LL-37, and with other innate effector mechanisms, but previous results are inconclusive.ObjectiveTo study potential cross-resistance between colistin and LL-37, as well as with other innate effector mechanisms, and to compare virulence of colistin-resistant and susceptible Kpn strains.Materials/MethodsCarbapenemase-producing Kpn from Oman (n = 17) were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing. Susceptibility to colistin and LL-37 was studied. The surface charge was determined by zeta-potential measurements and the morphology of treated bacteria was analyzed with electron microscopy. Bacterial survival was assessed in human whole blood and serum, as well as in a zebrafish infection-model.ResultsGenome-analysis revealed insertion-sequences in the mgrB gene, as a cause of colistin resistance in 8/17 isolates. Colistin-resistant (Col-R) isolates were found to be more resistant to LL-37 compared to colistin-susceptible (Col-S) isolates, but only at concentrations ≥50 μg/ml. There was no significant difference in surface charge between the isolates. The morphological changes were similar in both Col-R and Col-S isolates after exposure to LL-37. Finally, no survival difference between the Col-R and Col-S isolates was observed in whole blood or serum, or in zebrafish embryos.ConclusionCross-resistance between colistin and LL-37 was observed at elevated concentrations of LL-37. However, Col-R and Col-S isolates exhibited similar survival in serum and whole blood, and in a zebrafish infection-model, suggesting that cross-resistance most likely play a limited role during physiological conditions. However, it cannot be ruled out that the observed cross-resistance could be relevant in conditions where LL-37 levels reach high concentrations, such as during infection or inflammation.

A novel chaotic model with complex variables and cubic non-linear terms was proposed. The new system is a six dimensional continuous real autonomous chaotic system. The characteristics of this system containing invariance, dissipation, equilibria and their stability, Lyapunov exponents, Lyapunov dimension, bifurcation diagrams and chaotic achievement are studied. Converting and turning the system chaotic behavior to its unstable trivial fixed point via the Lyapunov stability theorem. An approach proposed to analyze the system chaos synchronization. Analytical expressions are derived for control functions. The chaos synchronization results were employed to develop a simple application in secure communication. Numerical effects computed to experiment the control forces scientific expressions gravity and to show the chaos synchronization of a chaotic system. Keywords: Chaotic, Control, Synchronization, Lyapunov stability, Complex