Correctness and accuracy of template-based modeled single chain fragment variable (scFv) protein anti-breast cancer cell line (MCF-7)

Multiple sequence alignments can be used in the template-based modelling of protein structures to build fragment-based assembly models. Therefore, useful functional information on the 3D structure of the anti-MCF-7 scFv protein can be obtained using available bioinformatics tools. This paper utilises several commonly-used bioinformatics tools and databases, including BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool), GenBank, PDB (Protein Data Bank), KABAT numbering and SWISS-MODEL, to gain specific functional insights into the anti-MCF-7 scFv protein and the assembly of single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies, which consist of a variable heavy chain (VH) and a variable light chain (VL) connected by the linker (Gly4-Ser)3. The linker has been built as a loop structure using the Insight II software. The accuracy of the loop structure has been evaluated using Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD). The accuracies of the VL and VH template-based structures are enhanced by using the evaluation methods Verify3D, ERRAT and Ramchandran plotting, which measure the error in the residues. In the results, 100% of the light-chain residues scored above 0.2, whereas 88.5% of the heavy-chain residues’ scored above 0.15 in the Verify3D evaluation method. Meanwhile, using ERRAT, the alignments of both chains scored more than 70% in space. Additionally, the Ramchandran plot evaluation method showed large numbers of residues in the favoured areas in both chains;these findings demonstrated that all of the chosen templates were the best candidates.

The Development and Application of an Indirect ELISA Test for the Detection of Chicken Anaemia Virus (CAV) by VP1 in Chicken Flock Serum

Chicken anaemia virus (CAV) causes a viral disease in chickens worldwide and thus has economic importance. The main aim of this study was to develop a rapid, sensitive and specific VP1-CAVI indirect ELISA for the detection of CAV infection. The CAV-VP1, was separately cloned and expressed in recombinant E. coli. The purified recombinant CAV-VP1 protein was then coated as an antigen on an ELISA plates to evaluate its reactivity against chicken sera. The resulting indirect ELISA was then compared with a commercial ELISA. The specificity and sensitivity of the indirect ELISA were measured as 93.3% and 100%, respectively. A t-test produced a t-value of 15.805 for the indirect ELISA and revealed a significant difference between CAV-positive serum and CAV-negative serum (p-value of 0.001). For the second variable (i.e., a commercial ELISA), the t-test yielded a t-value of 5.063, which revealed a significant difference between CAV-positive serum and CAV-negative serum (p-value of 0.015). This intervention produces statistically significant improvements in both variables (p-values < 0.05). The correlation coefficient for the indirect ELISA was r = 0.93. Therefore, this work can be considered as a new achievement in diagnosis for Chicken anaemia virus in chicken flocks.

Profile of Plasma Galectin-3 Concentrations, Inflammatory Cytokines Levels and Lymphocytes Status in Breast Cancer under Chemotherapy

We investigated relationship between galectin-3 (Gal-3) levels and T lymphocytes apoptosis and the activation rates in breast cancer during chemotherapy. We used plasma samples from 112 women classified into two groups: 70 women with breast cancer (BC) and submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (3 cycles) and 42 healthy women used as controls. In the group of BC, blood samples were taken before each cycle of chemotherapy and Gal-3 levels was evaluated by ELISA sandwich. Flow cytometry was used to study T cells apoptosis and activation. Before treatment, median value of Gal-3 was 6.31 ng/ml (range 1.07 - 50.74) in BC and 0.84 ng/ml (range 0.00 - 4.82) in HC. Gal-3 levels were highest in plasmas from BC (p p p = 0.010). In addition, we found a dynamic relationship between gal-3 levels, tumor size and T lymphocytes apoptosis rates during treatment depending to the cure efficiency. We suggest gal-3 plasma concentrations could be used as predictive biomarker for chemotherapy efficiency in breast cancer patients.

Factors Associated with Sample Rejection for CD4+/CD8+ T Cell Count Analyses at the Kenyatta National Hospital Comprehensive Care Center Laboratory, Kenya

Background: The appropriate time to initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV/AIDS patients is determined by measurement of CD4+/CD8+ T cell count. The CD4/CD8+ T cell count is also useful, together with viral load, in monitoring disease progression and effectiveness treatment regimens. Several factors may contribute to sample rejection during the CD4+/CD8+ T cells count, resulting in negative effects on patient management. Objective: Evaluate the causes for CD4+CD8+ T cell count sample rejection at the Kenyatta National Hospital Comprehensive Care Center Laboratory. Method: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between 2018 and 2020. Data was obtained from the “rejected samples” for PartecR FlowCyp flow cytometry file. Designed data collection sheet was used for data capture. A total of 3972 samples were submitted for CD4+/CD8+ T cell count during the study period. Causes for sample rejection were numbered 1 to 12, each representing a reason for sample rejection. Number 1 was sub-categorized into clotted, hemolyzed, short-draw and lipemic. Data was analyzed using excel, and presented using tables, graphs and pie charts. Approval to conduct the study was obtained from KNH/UoN ERC. Results: In the study period, 81/3972 (2.0%) samples were rejected. Samples submitted more than 48 hours after collection were mostly rejected. Other factors included improper collection technique, delayed testing, patient identification error and incorrect use of vacutainer. A combination of clotted samples, specimen submission more than 48 hours caused the most frequent sample rejection, followed with combination of specimen submission more than 48 hours, delayed testing and delayed specimen processing. Together, clotted samples, incorrect vacutainer and poor specimen label caused the least sample rejection. Conclusion: Sample rejection rate for CD4/CD8+ T cell count was relatively low, and multiple factors contributed to rejection. However, improved quality assurance will enable more benefit to patients who seek this test in the laboratory.

儿童期出现自身免疫淋巴细胞增生综合征指征时的皮肤表现

Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome is a disorderdue to a defect of lymphocyte apoptosis,whoseclinicalmanifestations consist of hyperplasia of lymphoid tissues and autoimmune diseases. We report on a 26-month-old child who presented with frequent eruptions of weals and angioedema without any apparent triggering factor, who subsequently developed an erythematopapular rash with a histological pattern of a lymphoplasmacellular infiltrate. Familial anamnesis revealed a history of lymphoadenomegaly and massive spleen and liver enlargement in her sister. Functional and molecular analysis led to a diagnosis of type 1a autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome. Immunophenotyping of the cutaneous lesion revealed the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate with a considerably high number of Langerhans cells. Cutaneous features such as urticaria, angioedema and vasculitis in children with a personal and familial history of hyperplasia of lymphoid tissues may be a presenting sign of a systemic disease, such as autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome.