Association of calcium channel blocker use with clinical outcome of COVID-19: A meta-analysis

AimsThis meta-analysis aims to analyze the association of calcium channel blocker (CCB) use with COVID-19 clinical outcomes.MethodsPubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, Scopus, and medRxiv databases were searched systematically in a limited period. The primary outcome was mortality.ResultsA total of 119,298 patients from 31 eligible studies were included. Pooled analysis of the random-effect model revealed CCB was not associated with reduced mortality (OR = 1.21 [95%CI: 0.98–1.49], p = 0.08). Interestingly, subgroup analysis in hypertensive patients revealed significantly reduced mortality (OR = 0.69 [95%CI: 0.52–0.91], p = 0.009).ConclusionCCB usage was not associated with the outcome of COVID-19. However, CCB was associated with a decreased mortality rate in hypertensive COVID-19 patients.     

NRAMP1 polymorphism and susceptibility to lung tuberculosis in Surabaya, Indonesia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of three polymorphisms (D543N, TGTG deletion in 3' UTR, INT4 G/C) of NRAMP1 to susceptibility to lung tuberculosis (TB) disease. The results showed that homozygous TGTG deletion in 3'UTR of NRAMP1 was found more frequent in lung tuberculosis patients than in healthy nurses working in a TB ward. This 4 base deletion might cause malfunction of NRAMP1 protein so that it fails as Fe2+ ion transporter causing macrophage unable to eliminate Mycobacterium tuberculosis.     

Microencapsulation of lime (Citrus aurantifolia) oil for antibacterial finishing of cotton fabric

Functional cotton fabric incorporated with antibacterial microcapsules of lime (C. aurantifolia) essential oil (LO) was prepared. The coacervation method, employing two biopolymers of alginate and gelatin as the shells, was preferentially selected to produce the LO microcapsules, whereas immobilization of the LO microcapsules onto the fabric was done using the pad–dry–cure method using various concentrations of citric acid binder. The antibacterial inhibition zone of the functional fabric was subsequently analysed using the Kirby Bauer method. The LO microcapsules were produced with a yield, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and oil content (OC) of 47 ± 4%, 84 ± 11%, and 58 ± 4%, respectively. The homogenous spherical and soft microcapsules (1.554 μm) bonded effectively by 4% citric acid onto the surface of the fabric and detached back by only 3% after 15 cycles of washing. Overall, the optimized functional fabric exhibited the highest antibacterial activities among others against typical skin bacteria, such as S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and S. epidermidis, and thus it can be potentially applied to obtain antibacterial functional textile.

Functional cotton fabric incorporated with antibacterial microcapsules of lime (C. aurantifolia) essential oil (LO) was prepared.     

Metformin associated inflammation levels regulation in type 2 diabetes mellitus-tuberculosis coinfection patients – A case report

IFN-γ elevation is one of the indicators of successful treatment in active tuberculosis (TB) infection due to macrophage and Th-1 activation in inducing autophagy process. However, IL-10 also inhibits interferon-mediated mycobactericid activities by blocking IFN-γ; signaling pathways in autophagy. Therefore, ratio IFN-γ/IL-10 has to be greater than 1 (>1) then IFN-γ remains has anti-mycobacterium. Metformin (MET) is a potent combination drug to elevate anti-TB efficacy and able to regulate inflammation.In this study, an observational clinical study was done in diabetes mellitus (DM)-TB co-infection outpatients at Surabaya Paru Hospital. This study evaluated how MET therapy; affected inflammation. MET was used at least 2 months, accompanying with insulin and; anti-TB and as comparison to non MET group.The result in this study MET increased both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, thus MET may consider as adjunct therapy in DM-TB coinfection patients due; to its ability in Th-1 and Th-2 immuno-regulating response, especially to enhance IFN-γ; and to reduce insulin associated IL-10 upregulation.     

Nafion®-coated mesoporous Pd film toward remarkably enhanced detection of lactic acid

Mesoporous metal films can detect biomarkers with high sensitivity. Further coating the mesoporous metal with polymers enhances sensing selectivity by favoring specific biomarkers against other interferents. In the present study, we report the fabrication of a Nafion®-coated mesoporous Pd film to filtrate interferents present in sweat during non-invasive biosensing. By using a Nafion®-coated mesoporous Pd film, lactic acid, a metabolite present in sweat, can be successfully detected with high sensitivity.

Mesoporous metal films can detect biomarkers with high sensitivity.