Biography:

Dr Fatme Mawas is an immunologist/microbiologist by training and got her PhD 1995  from King’s College (London).

She is Principal Scientist and Group Leader at the Division of Bacteriology at NIBSC with over 19-years’ experience in the quality control and standardisation of conjugate vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae b, animal models and vaccine immunology.

She has over 29 refereed papers covering various aspects of assay development, standardisation and R&D in the field of conjugate vaccines, vaccine candidates and novel delivery systems.

Abstract:

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was a leading cause of meningitis in infants in the UK until October 1992, when Hib conjugate vaccine was introduced for children at age 2, 3, and 4 months.

Quality control testing of the vaccine is very important to ensure the quality, safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Here we describe our experience at the UK National Institute for Biological standards & Control in the testing and investigation of quality and efficacy of Hib vaccines in monovalent formulations and in combination with other vaccines such as meningococcal C or DTP-based combination vaccines

Biography:

Ching-Liang Chu has completed his PhD from National Defense Medical College/Academia Sinica, Taiwan and postdoctoral studies from School of Medicine, UCSF, CA, USA. He is the Associate Professor of Graduate Institute of Immunology, National Taiwan University, Taiwan. He has published more than 40 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as a reviewer of more than 20 reputed journals.
 

Abstract:

The inhibitory effect of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-containing adapters DAP12 and FceRI g-chain (FcRg) has been found in many immune functions; however, the role of these adapters is not known in C-type lectin receptor (CLRs) response.  In this report, we identified that FcRg, but not DAP12, could negatively regulate the Dectin-1 responses in dendritic cells (DCs).  Loss of FcRg or both DAP12 and FcRg enhanced the maturation and cytokine production in DCs upon Dectin-1 activation compared to normal cells, whereas DCs lacking only DAP12 showed little changes.  In addition, increment of recall T-cell proliferation was observed in FcRg-deficient mice.  Examining the Dectin-1 signaling, we revealed that the activations of several signaling molecules were augmented in FcRg-deficient DCs stimulated with Dectin-1 ligands.  Furthermore, we demonstrated that the association of phosphatases SHP-1 and PTEN with FcRg may contribute to the negative regulation of FcRg in Dectin-1 activation in DCs.  These results extend the inhibitory effect of ITAM-containing adapters to Dectin-1 response in immune functions, even though Dectin-1 contains an ITAM-like intracellular domain.  According to the role of Dectin-1 in responding to microbes and tumor cells, our finding may have applications in the development of vaccine and cancer therapy.

Biography:

Kuan-Yin Shen received his PhD from Graduate Institute of Life Science of National Defense Medical Center in 2014. He accepted postdoctoral fellowship in National Health Research Institutes in 2016. He has his expertise in the flied of tumor immunology to explore the mechanism of antigen processing for tumor vaccine development. To establish novel approach for immunotherapeutic tumor vaccines, he investigates the immune responses induced by lipo-immunogens, recombinant lipoproteins and lipo-peptides

Abstract:

Cross-presentation is an important function of dendritic cells (DCs), which present exogenous antigens on MHC class Imolecules to prime cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. The effects of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 triggering on the cross-presentation of exogenous antigens by DCs remain unclear. Here, we used synthetic di-palmitoylated peptides and TLR2 agonist-conjugated peptides as models to elucidate the mechanisms of TLR2-mediated cross-presentation. We observed that the internalization of di-palmitoylated peptides by bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) was promoted by TLR2 via clathrin-mediated endocytosis. The administration of these di-palmitoylated peptide-pulsed BMDCs eliminated established tumors through TLR2 signaling. We further investigated that the induction of antigen-specific CTL responses and tumor regression by di-palmitoylated peptides was transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) independent. Moreover, presentation of di-palmitoylated peptides by MHC class Imolecules were inhibited in the presence of an endosomal acidification inhibitor (chloroquine) or a cathepsin S inhibitor (Z-FL-COCHO). The endocytosed di-palmitoylated peptide also passed rapidly from early endosome antigen-1 (EEA1)-positive endosomes to RAS-related GTP-binding protein 7 (Rab7)-associated late endosomes compared with their non-lipidated counterparts. Furthermore, we found that di-palmitoylated peptide-upregulated Rab7 expression correlated with antigen presentation via the TLR2/MyD88 pathway. Both JNK and ERK signaling pathway are required for upregulation of Rab7. In summary, our data suggest that TLR2-mediated cross-presentation occurs through the upregulation of Rab7 and a TAP-independent pathway.

Biography:

En-Chih, Liao. Current Position is an Assistant Professor in Mackay Medical College,  New Taipei City, Taiwan. His major degree is PhD from National Yang-Ming University, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. His Specialty is in fields of Microbiology, Basic and Clinical immunology, Tropical Medicine, and Translation Medicine. Research Interest focus on the house dust mite allergen characterization,  animal model of bronchial asthma, biomedical wafer of diagnostic development. Special honors for him are 2011 Seoul International Invention Fair (SIIF)(Gold Prize)、(Russian House Award) and 2014, 11th National Innovation Award 

Abstract:

Tropomyosin was found to be responsible for the cross-reactivity between shrimp and dust mite, and measurement of tropomyosin specific IgE was reported superior to shrimp for predicting clinically allergic reaction. The aim of this study is to identify the cross-reactivity of tropomyosin among shrimp-Pen m 1 and dust mite-Der p 10. A total of 120 subjects were enrolled in this study: 60 children (<18 yr), 30 middle-age adults (18-65 yr) and 30 elderly adult (>65 yr). In the group of middle-age adult, there were four non-shrimp exposure vegetarians recruited for further analysis. Two recombinant allergens of dust mite (rDer p10) and shrimp (rPen m1) were generated to investigate their cross-reactivity. The cross-reactivity between shrimps and mites were determined by basophil histamine release (BHR) before and after allergen absorption. The results showed that there were more children sensitive to mite (91.7%) than to shrimp (28.3%). In the group of middle-age adult, the mite sensitivity rate was decreased to 56.6% and shrimp sensitivity rate increased to 73.3%. In the elderly adult, the mite sensitivity rate was decreased down to 46.6%, however the shrimp sensitivity remained constant (73.3%). The rates of cosensitivity to shrimp and mite were 26.6% in children group, 56.6% in middle-age adult group and 43% in elderly adult group. A total of 45 subjects who sensitized to both shrimp and mite were recruited for BHR assay. Similar results were observed in the BHR assay, the content of histamine stimulated by mites (69.3%) was significantly higher than shrimp (48.4%) in the children group. Converse results were showed in the elderly adult group, shrimp-stimulated BHR (61.0%) was significantly higher than mite (44.5%). In the inhibition BHR assay, the results showed the shrimp-stimulated BHR could be decreased significantly by absorption with Der p 10 in the children group. The mite-stimulated BHR could be absorbed significantly with Pen m1 in the elderly adult group. In the inhibition assay of Western blot and BHR, the positive IgE responses to shrimp could be absorbed by Der p10 from vegetarians’ sera. It indicated that the IgE positive response to shrimp of the vegetarians was originated from the cross-reactivity of tropomyosin from the dust mite-Der p10.

Biography:

Maria Maldonado-Vega his graduate of Ph.D. in Science, specialization Toxicology has received his Ph.D. and Master of Science in Research and Advanced Studies Center-Politecnical National Institute (CINVESTAV-IPN) México, D.F. Research lines: Toxicology labor groups exposed to heavy metals. Environmental pollution by solid waste; currently works microbiological aspects of air quality and phytoremediation processes of industrial effluents. His research has several awards such as Prize 2006-2007 ADIAT. Technology transfer mode to companies PyME and Technical merit recognition. First award in the research occupational risk from 1999, 2000, 2001 y 2007 Health Sector Veracruz, The Mexican Association of Biochemistry, FESORMEX y FENASTAC. She has Development different projects research and technology, which have resulted in forum disclosure of more papers, technical report and technology transfer. Currently has 18 papers refereed journals and 20 internationally papers, the publication of two books by threshing’s on the subject of specialized footwear for diabetics, as wells as lead toxicology, books chapters heavy metals. Management studies thesis of undergraduate, master´s and Ph.D. She has participated with other research groups in short Ales School of Mines in France, The University of the Environment UFZ-Leipzig in Germany, in Mexico involved with biomedical researchers at the Institute of UNAM, CINVESTAV-IPN Mexico unit and Irapuato, also University of Guanajuato. She is serving as an editorial member of several reputed journal like Journal of Nuclear medicine & Radiation Therapy, Journal International Pollution, Medical Journals and Magazine of Biochemistry Education. She is a member of Mexican Society of Biochemistry and Member Research Ethics Committee.

Abstract:

The recycling of automotive batteries is an industrial process that consists of the recovery of lead grids, acidic liquids and materials that contain them. Lead recovery occurs as a smelting process at more than 1100°C. During this process there are emissions of vapors and generation of fine powders. Additionally, they obtain lead oxides in complementary processes. This paper presents the health conditions of a workers (n=32) from a company that recovers lead from automotive batteries through melt processes. This company is medium, it includes work areas from the breaking of battery boxes, and handling of worn sulfuric acids. Once the lead is melted, it is recovered in solid plates and in the form of oxides. The company has a processing capacity of 30 tons per month. The average age of the study group is 39.6 (18-70) years; it is made up of 24 men and 8 women, with a working time of 3 months and up to 18 years. The blood lead concentration has been found to range from 7.4 ug/dl to 89.6 ug/dl, averaging 40.7±21 ug/dl and d-ALAD activity 371± 231 nmoles/h/ml, and 83 % of these workers have ALAD activity inhibited, which is an indicator of toxicity and lead effects. In addition, the same percentage of workers with oxidative damage determined as MDA in blood coincides. The activities of greater exposure correspond to the personnel of the maneuvers in the furnace, as well as the oxidizer area and crucibles. Independently the industrial plant has a fine powder dispersion within a radius of 60 m with respect to the center of the melting furnace.

Biography:

Chih-Yu Wang has completed his PhD from National Yang-Ming University and Post-doctoral studies from National Taiwan University. He is a Professor of Department of Biomedical Engineering, I-Shou University, Taiwan. He was majored in biophotonics, especially on laser diagnostics and treatment, such as fluorescence spectroscopy, polarized imaging, luminescence nanoparticles synthesis, and photodynamic therapy. His recent researches were mainly focused on the design and manufacture of modern instrument to implement the diagnostic and treatment methods in traditional Chinese medicine. He has published more than 40 papers in related field on reputed journals

Abstract:

The autonomic nerve is composed of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, which usually function oppositely in the physiological body, and are mutually adjusted according to our physical conditions. In traditional Chinese medicine, the acupoint "Neiguan (PC6)" is usually considered as effective for the activation of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. The main purpose of this study is to explore the effect on autonomic nerve activity by simulating Neiguan using laser acupuncture with lifting and thrusting functions. We used “ANSWatch” (Taiwan Scientific Co. Ltd.) to measure the heart rate variability (HRV) of the subject before and after acupuncture stimulation, and converting to indices of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. We adopted the home-made “emulated laser acupuncture system” which can implement the lifting and thrusting functions in traditional acupuncture. The mentioned laser acupuncture adopted NI myRIO as the main controller, which was driven with LabVIEW software; in which the depth (focus position), force (light intensity) and procedure were program-adjustable. By using the emulated laser acupuncture one can implement the acupuncture method in Chinese medicine by adjusting focus of incident light to achieve a required depth when considering the individual variation, such as the patient's body shape and the various depths of different acupoints and meridians, etc., to enhance the acupuncture efficiency. In this study, we enrolled 23 subjects from Department of Chinese Medicine, E- Da Hospital. The autonomic nerve activity was analyzed by paired t- test. The result shows that the sympathetic nerve activity was significantly increased after acupuncture with lifting and thrusting. Although parasympathetic nerve activity did not change significantly, autonomic nervous activity shows significant differences toward balance. We conclude that stimulating Neiguan point with emulated laser acupuncture casts significant impact on the autonomic nervous system, indicating that the laser acupuncture would be useful for the adjustment of human psychosomatic state.

Biography:

Ya-Lie Ku is an Associate Professor in the College of Nursing, Fooyin University, who has completed her Master’s in Nursing Science from Penn State University. She has taught the long-term care nursing for more than 20 years as well as conducted the practicum teaching more than ten years both in the elderly and psychiatric settings. Currently, she and her teaching team members have developed the simulation scenarios and skills of the long-term care course for the RN-BSN students. She has published approximately 10 articles related to long-term care and simulation teaching as well as 10 conference papers in the domestic and foreign areas

Abstract:

This article introduces the five simulation skills of the long-term care course. The process of developing these skills includes a literature review, continuous education, and evaluation by different long-term care experts. The five simulation skills are difficult feeding and swallowing care, position management and skin care, promoting toileting ability care, and acute and chronic confusion care. In the long-term care course, the content of the five simulation skills comprises diverse scenarios for five long-term care cases, preparation before the practicing of skills, competency in the assessment and practicing of skills, evaluation of the cases’ problems, and professional essences while practicing the skills. There are different indicators for the preparation, assessment, practice, and evaluation of the five simulation skills in the long-term care course. After lectures and the practicing of skills, every nursing student participating in the long-term care course is evaluated through a simulation test conducted by five teachers at the OSCE center, involving five standardized patients who have been trained by the examining teachers. Additionally, every nursing student writes reflection reports for the practice and testing of the five simulation skills in terms of the learning process, obstacles, and suggestions for improvement of the long-term care course in the future. Through a sincere and careful developing process, the five simulation skills of the long-term care course could be standardized for the use of long-term care nursing teachers and students.

Biography:

Hanan Elkafafi Hassan is working as an Assistant Professor of Medical Surgical Nursing at Nursing College, Cairo University. And she moved to Saudi Arabia and worked as Assistant Professor in Nursing College at Dammam University till 2015 then she moved to King Saud bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Sciences. She teaches many courses for undergraduates and postgraduates, participated in supervising of Master’s projects and students researches as an Academic Supervisor. She has published many national and international research articles. She has experience in quality assurance and accreditation in higher education. His interested area of research is education and clinical research.

Abstract:

Background: Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI) is the most common nosocomial infection at ICUs. Urinary infections can increase patient’s length of stay and mortality. One of the strategies to reduce CAUTI is the use of silver coated urinary catheters.

Purpose: Aim of this study is to explore the efficacy of Silver -coated urinary catheter on reducing CAUTI.

Methods: An experimental design was used and the study was conducted in ICU at King Fahd University Hospital, Al-khobar, Eastern Province. The study subjects include 60 adult patients (18 years or more) who were on urinary catheter attending during the period of data collection and were randomly divided to two groups. Two instruments were used for data collection: 1) Demographic and Medical Data Sheet, 2) CAUTI Sheet.

Results: There was a statistical significance difference between the two groups among symptoms of UTI, temperature, and WBC (P<0.05). The patients having silver –coated catheter has less organisms in the blood. Fewer leukocytes, bacteriura and yeast cell in urine culture when compared to uncoated catheter patients after 3 days. CAUTI rate was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p=0.003).

Conclusion & Recommendation: It can be concluded that the use of silver alloy coated urinary catheter reduces the incidence of CAUTI rate to 2.2% per three days compared to uncoated catheter rate of 13.3% per three days. It can be recommended that changing practice to use the silver coated Foley catheter to decrease risk of CAUTI.

Biography:

Sylvain haba Admission to Bachelor in 1984, orientation to school nurses 1985-88. 1989- 1997 Internship in a medical post in Sèbètèrè Gaoual Prefecture. 1992-1993 Remote Training on medical semology. In 1998 admitted to the public service test. 2004-2005 Training in traditional medicine in DR Congo. Back Guinea in 2006 establishment of the Medico-Spiritual Center Tradi koumi Talitha (Marc5: 41-42) to (Labe) Guinea. 2008 Transfer of the center in Conakry.

Abstract:

Diabetes was defined by traditional black healers as a disease of abundant urine, dry mouth, itching and visual impairment.The diagnosis was always made by a gathering of red ants (formica rufa) and bees (apis mellifera) on the urine emitted on an impermeable place in the morning when, in the evening, it was these two insects that alerted the patient and his entourage.It was not until the arrival of the Christian missionaries to define.Diabetes or poly-polydipsic syndrome in modern medicine which refers to a syndrome characterized by an increase in urine production, necessarily accompanied by excessive thirst.In research, it was noted that plants can help in the treatment of type 2 Recommendation diabeties.
AT.
1) Respect of the diet (without sugar), 2) Balanced food, 3) In sauce the leaves solanum nodiflora family solanaceous leaf 150 to 200g / day to prepare with the decoction of yilitigi 20 to 30g In maceration.

Biography:

Dr Jacques Choucair got his MD degree in 1994 from the Saint-Joseph University, Faculty of Medicine in Beyrouth then his ID subspeciality from Paris VII University, School of Medicine

Since May 2001, he is a practitioner and ID consultant in the Infectious diseases department at Hôtel Dieu de France de Beyrouth teaching hospital.

He published more than 20 articles and is a reviewer in national and international journals. His main topics of interest are bacterial resistance and the proper use of antibiotics.

He is a member in the arab association for the proper use of antibiotics and member of ESCMID.

Abstract:

Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge of Lebanese women about cervical cancer (CC) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. To measure the uptake of the cervical cancer screening test (Pap smear) and the uptake of HPV vaccination, and determine the influencing factors.

Methods: 444 women with no medical background filled out a 32 item questionnaire. Collected data was analyzed in SPSS® v. 21.0.

Results:45.7% aged 18 to 25with high education qualifications (73.9%) and employed in a field not related to health (84.9%). They did not visit a general physician (64%) or a gynecologist (64.6%) regularly. 85.6% were aware of CC with a  median CC symptom knowledge score of 3.00 ± 2.13. HPV infection involvement in the pathogenesis of CC was identified in 53.9% of cases. 35.6% of women were aware of HPV infection. The median HPV general knowledge score was 5.39 ± 2.38 and the median HPV vaccination score was 6.00 ± 2.41. 37.6% of participants had been screened by Pap smear for CC at least once in their lives whereas 9% did not know what a Pap smear was. Screening was significantly associated with CC awareness and regular visits to physicians. Only 11.7% of participants aged 18 to 35 were vaccinated against HPV. Vaccination uptake was significantly associated with CC awareness, religion, field of work and studies, and regular visits to gynecologists.

Conclusion: Lebanese women residing in the urban communities are not well informed about CC and HPV. Screening by Pap smear and HPV vaccination uptakes are non-satisfactory.

Biography:

Dr.Teluguakula received PhD from Osmania University, India and had postdoctoral training from Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University and at School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. He has published more than 30 papers in reputed journals mainly related to respiratory biology and pathology. Currently he is working as a project leader at Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases and Assistant Professor, Research at Oklahoma State University, USA. 

Abstract:

Complications of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a severe form of acute lung injury, remain major causes of death in influenza pneumonia. Several recent studies have demonstrated that considerable lung damage is contributed by the host immune response in addition to the cytopathic effects of the influenza virus. Previously we have demonstrated that excessive neutrophils recruitment and their generated neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) contribute to pathologic complications of ARDS in severe influenza pneumonia in mice. Neutrophils express predominantly CXC chemokine receptors including CXCR1 and CXCR2, which play key role in the recruitment and activation of neutrophils. This study was aimed to test the therapeutic potential of CXCR1/2 antagonism in severe influenza pneumonia. Our results have shown high increase in CXCR2 expression in both circulating and lung-recruited neutrophils. We used a selective CXCR1/2 antagonist, SCH527123 alone or in combination of an anti-vial agent, oseltamivir. BALB/c Female mice were challenged with lethal influenza A/PR/8/34 (H1N1), 2500pfu. Oseltamivir or SCH527123 were administered orally. Treatment with oseltamivir alone showed 15% survival, while all animals were died in SCH527123 alone treatment group. However the combined administration of these drugs resulted in 60% to 100% survival in mice after lethal influenza infection. The addition of SCH527123 to the combination therapy regime was also found to significantly alleviate lung pathology, compared to oseltamivir treatment alone. Lungs of infected animals following combination therapy showed decreased neutrophil influx, decreased release of extracellular histones, reduced vascular leakage, and reduced alveolar capillary damage. These results demonstrate that the use of CXCR1/2 antagonists in combination with a classical antiviral therapy can be a novel and effective treatment approach for severe influenza pneumonia. 

Biography:

Dr. Faisal Mohammed Hanif Girach has completed his masters from India. He is practicing homeopathy over a period of 10 years and has shown good results in various diseases with homeopathic medicines. At present, he is lecturing at Cyberjaya University College of Medical Science, Malaysia. It is one of the only government recognized university college to offer Homeopathy course in entire south East Asia.

Abstract:

Homeopathic research has developed over the past 20 years with the increasingly greater use of modern medical methods (clinical trials, observational studies, statistical evaluations, computerized storage programs and instrumental or laboratory testing). Over 200 clinical trials designed to verify the efficacy of homeopathic treatments have been published, many (but not all) of which have led to positive results. The main principle of Homeopathy is- “a remedy can cure a disease if it produces in healthy person symptoms similar to those of the disease”. It is said that “like cures like”. Homeopathic remedies are diluted to such an extent that there can be no possible side effects from even the most toxic substances. The dilution process is known as 'Potentization'. Taken in this ultra-diluted form, these remedies have no side effects and are perfectly safe, non-toxic and non-addictive. This concept has been proved through nanotechnology which says that particles which are tinier than the viruses are capable to act on human body.

Homeopathy has good role in managing immunological diseases. From homoeopathic point of view immunological diseases are chronic constitutional disorders, therefore we require individualistic approach as patient responds to medicine according to its constitution and susceptibility. The constitutional medicines are drawn out after thorough understanding of concerned individual. These medicines can help decreasing the intensity of symptoms and can thus improve standard of living. During the session, we would discuss how a case of Ankylosing spondylosis and psoriasis was managed with homeopathic medications.

Homeopathic medicines can help in treating immunological diseases, but proper research must be done to understand the efficacy of homeopathic medicines in immunological cases.

Biography:

Dr Jacques Choucair got his MD degree in 1994 from the Saint-Joseph University, Faculty of Medicine in Beyrouth then his ID subspeciality from Paris VII University, School of Medicine

Since May 2001, he is a practitioner and ID consultant in the Infectious diseases department at Hôtel Dieu de France de Beyrouth teaching hospital.

He published more than 20 articles and is a reviewer in national and international journals. His main topics of interest are bacterial resistance and the proper use of antibiotics.

He is a member in the arab association for the proper use of antibiotics and member of ESCMID.

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE:

To assess, in non vaccinated healthy adults, the response to the standard protocol SP of vaccination for hepatitis B (0, 1, 6 months), and the response to two boosters protocols in non-responders (NR).

METHODS:192 adults, mean age of 44.3 receive (Engerix® B 20 µg/1 ml) by the SP. The non-responders (anti-Hbs antibodies <10UI/l) are divided into two groups. The first group (P1) receives a single booster (R1) 4 months after the SP, and those who remained non-responders receive a double booster (R1b) 2 years after the SP. The second group (P2) receives a unique double booster (R2), 2 years after the SP.

RESULTS:The rate of response after the SP is 75.5 %( 145/192).

28 NR in (P1) have a response rate of 32.14 %( 9/28). The 19 NR in (R1b) have a response of 36.84 %( 7/19).

19 NR (P2) have a response of 63.16 %( 12/19).

9.9 %( 19/192) of individuals don't respond to any booster. The rate of response decreases with the age( 5% every year and 41% every 10 years)

For the same age, men are 2 fold more responders then women.

CONCLUSION:A unique double booster done 2 years after the SP gives a better response then a single booster done after 4 months, and a similar response to a single booster done after 4 months followed by a double booster done after 2 years. The female gender and the age are 2 factors that decrease the response to the vaccination.

Biography:

Professor at University of Liverpool,Makkah,Saudi Arabia.

Abstract:

BACKGROUND:

CD56+ T cells previously have been identified as potentially cytotoxic lymphocytes, and relative numbers are increased in some infectious diseases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Relative proportions of CD56+ T cells were measured by flow cytometry in groups of renal transplant patients differing in cytomegalovirus (CMV) status of donor (D) and recipient (R). These measurements were related to episodes of CMV viremia.

RESULTS:

Patient groups in which recipients (R+) or donors (D+/R-) were CMV+ had significantly higher proportions of CD56+ T cells (5.11 ± 0.69% and 5.42 ± 1.01%, respectively) than the D-/R- group (1.9 ± 0.35%; P = 0.0018 and 0.017, respectively). In the high-risk D+/R- group, it was found that patients who had post-transplant CMV viremia had higher levels than those who remained CMV negative (9.09 ± 2.34% vs. 3.16 ± 1.22%; P = 0.01). CD56+ T cells from R+ and D+/R- groups had higher proportions of both CD4+ and CD8+ cells than the D-/R- group. When activation markers were examined, some CD56+ T cells from both CMV+ groups had a TEM phenotype, with significantly more expressing CD45RO and NKG2C, and less expressing CD28, CD62L, CD127, and CD161 compared to the D-/R- group. Some CD56+ T cells showed specificity for CMV antigens and similar proportions of CD8+ cells were positive for class I HLA-CMV tetramers containing immunodominant CMV peptides compared to the majority CD56- T cells.

CONCLUSION:

The results show significant increases in proportions of CD56+ T cells in relation to CMV infection in renal transplant patients and suggest that these cells have a cytotoxic function against CMV-infected cells.

Biography:

Sabira Mohammed is currently pursuing her Doctoral degree and is working on finding the role played by Sphingosine Kinase 1 in endosomal TLR mediated innate immune response. She has done her Bachelors and Masters degree in Microbiology.  Her research interests are immunology and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: The body protects itself against the invading pathogens by mounting different strategies, collectively called as the immune responses. Toll like receptors (TLRs) recognise pathogens and are vital for innate immune response. The regulation of TLRs is not fully understood, the dysregulation of which can lead to autoimmune conditions. Sphingosine kinase 1 is an enigmatic enzyme that is involved in a myriad of cellular processes. The role of Sphingosine kinase 1 is speculated in TLR regulation. Methodology: The effect of Sphingosine kinase 1 in innate immune response is studied in vitro using CAL1 cell, a plasmacytoid dendritic cell line, primary cells and in vivo in C57Bl/6 mice . SphK1 is pharmacologically inhibited using SK1I. The response in the form of interferon and proinflammatory cytokine production is measured in the mRNA and protein level by Real time qPCR and ELISA. The effect of the inhibition on signalling components was studied by immunofluorescence and western blotting. The interaction between TLR and SphK1 was checked by immunofluorescence and western blotting. Findings: The inhibition of SphK1 was found to affect the innate immune response as measured by  interferon and proinflammatory cytokine production. The effect of the inhibition on innate immune response was not mediated through cell death, but through the modulation of key cellular signaling pathways. SphK1 was found to colocalise with the endosomal TLRs.  Conclusion & Significance: The study brings out the role of SphK1 in innate immune response from a plasmacytoid dendritic cell perspective. This points towards the potential of developing therapeutics based on SphK1 for treatment of autoimmune diseases, where there is aberrant TLR regulation.

Biography:

Altigani aljafari was graduated from koedofan university,Faculty of medicine 2003.

He has completed MD Clinical Immunology,sudan medical specialization Board,January 2017.

Currently working as head department of clinical Immunology unit,in Omdurman Military Hospital and also the memeber of the organs transplant team,in omdurman Military Hospital.

Abstract: