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Background and objectives: Bacterial contamination of wounds is a serious problem, particularly in burn patients. Gram-positive bacteria are the predominant cause of infection in newly hospitalized burn cases. This study aimed to survey the prevalence and antibiotic resistance pattern of gram-positive bacterial isolates among burn patients in Rasht, North of Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on burn patients with a positive culture for gram-positive isolates who were hospitalized in the Velayat Burn Center in Rasht, North of Iran, during 2017-2020. The isolates were identified using standard microbiological methods. Moreover, the antibiotic resistance pattern was determined by the disk diffusion method.
Results: During the study period, 671 bacterial cultures were obtained, of which a total of 16 gram-positive isolates were taken from the patients. The frequency of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus spp. was 68.7%, 18.8%, and 12.5%, respectively. In addition, the highest rate of resistance in CoNS isolates was against trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The highest rate of resistant among S. aureus isolates was recorded against penicillin. Moreover, Enterococcus faecalis isolates showed a high level of resistance to ampicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin. All isolates were susceptible to teicoplanin. Moreover, the frequency of methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates was 66.7%.
Conclusion: Given the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant strains, especially in susceptible burn patients, it is imperative to analyze the bacterial etiology of nosocomial infections periodically and epidemiologically.

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Background and objectives: Turnaround time (TAT) is an important quality indicator for benchmarking laboratory performance. Delay in TAT may affect patient safety; thus, continuous monitoring and analysis of laboratory workflow is mandatory. This study was designed to improve the TAT of two biochemistry laboratories serving in tertiary care teaching hospitals (multispecialty and super-specialty) through the application of quality tools namely quality failure reporting, the Fishbone model, and process mapping.
Methods: First, TAT was defined for routine (four hours) and urgent samples (two hours). Then, TAT failureincidents in 2018-2019 were analyzed using the Fishbone model. The process map of TAT was studied and made more value streamed and lean after removal of waste steps.Corrective action plans were prioritized and implemented for potential causes with more adverse outcomes. Pilot solutions were implemented for six months and TAT failures incidents were reanalyzed.
Results: The quality failure in TAT reporting was reduced by 22% (from 34% to 12%) for urgent samples and by 19% (from 27% to 8%) for routine samples after the implementation of quality tools in multispecialty hospital laboratory. In the super-specialty hospital laboratory, the improvement was more profound and the TAT percentage achieved after the corrective actions was 96.57% and 98% for urgent and routine samples, respectively.
Conclusion: Implementation of quality failure reporting culture along with quality tools led to significant improvement in TAT and higher quality laboratory performance in terms of efficiency, reliability, and increased patient safety.

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Background and objectives: Programmed autophagy is a genetically and evolutionarily conserved process that destroys long-lived cellular proteins and organelles. This study aimed to investigate effects of continuous and interval exercise training with or without atorvastatin supplementation on Beclin1, LC3-I and LC3-П expression in old rats with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: Sixty three male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups. Continuous exercise was performed at a speed of 15-29 m/min for 5-22 minutes. Interval exercise program consisted of six 2.5-minute sets that included a four-minute rest period between each set. The rats in the supplementation groups also received 20 mg/kg body weight atorvastatin daily via intraperitoneal injection. At the end of the training period, the expression of Beclin1, LC3-I and LC3-П in soleus muscle was measured by RT-PCR. One-way ANOVA was used for data analysis at statistical significance of 0.05.
Results: The results showed that both exercise trainings with or without atorvastatin significantly reduced LC3I, LC3-II and Beclin1 compared with the diabetic control group (P<0.05). In addition, the effects of the trainings and atorvastatin supplement did not differ significantly (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The results indicate that continuous and interval exercise program alone and combined with atorvastatin supplementation could significantly reduce LC3-1, LC3-II and Beclin1 level in soleus muscle of old diabetic rats.

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Background and objectives: Clinical evidence has demonstrated the important role of adiponectin in insulin signaling pathways in target tissue. The aim of this study was to determine effects of aerobic training on insulin sensitivity, glucose level, and adiponectin expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue of type 2 diabetic rats.
Methods: Type 2 diabetes was induced in 14 male wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of nicotine amide and streptozotocin. The rats were randomly divided into an exercise group (n=7) and a control group (n=7). The rats in the exercise group performed aerobic training in from of treadmill running, five sessions a week, for 12 weeks. Subjects in the control group did not perform any training. Glucose level, insulin level, insulin sensitivity, and adiponectin expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue were determined at baseline and 48 hours after the lasting training session. Independent t-test was used for comparing the variables between the study groups.
Results: Aerobic training resulted in a significant increase in serum insulin (p=0.006), insulin sensitivity (p=0.003), and adiponectin expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue (p=0.037) compared with the control group. In addition, the training caused a significant decrease in fasting glucose level compared with the control group (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Based on these findings, the decrease in blood glucose may be attributed to the improvement of adiponectin-dependent insulin signaling pathways in adipose tissue in response to aerobic training. However, more cellular-molecular studies are needed to understand the mechanisms responsible for these changes.

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Background and objectives: The hoteling quality promotion is part of the health system development plan, based on which the physical appearance of laboratories of public hospitals are improved and renovated. The present study aimed to evaluate the policy-making gap in the hoteling quality promotion of the health system development plan in providing laboratory services in public hospitals in the Golestan Province, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was performed on 384 medical staff and physicians working in laboratories of public hospitals affiliated with the Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Golestan Province, Iran. Data were collected using a 35-item researcher-made questionnaire that was distributed and collected over a period of six months. We examined the extent of the gap between the current and expected status based on the two components: the alignment of key stakeholders with health system development policies and stakeholders' opposition to health system development policies, as well as the extent of the gap
Results: The hoteling quality promotion was about -0.05 in providing laboratory services in public hospitals of the Golestan Province, indicating a low gap between the current and favorable status in the fifth axis of the health system development plan in terms of supervision.
Conclusion: The implementation of the hoteling quality promotion plan in providing laboratory services in public hospitals of the province is not consistent with the expected goals of the fifth axis of the health system development plan. Therefore, there is a need to examine and eliminate effective factors contributing to this gap.

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Background and objectives: Prolactin is a lactogenic protein hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that initiates and maintains lactation in mammals. Previous research has linked increased serum prolactin levels to breast cancer. However, there is a paucity of studies in the Indian population on the subject. The present study evaluated and compared serum prolactin levels in patients with breast cancer and patients with benign breast diseases.
Methods: This cross-sectional, comparative study was carried out at the Government Medical College, Nagpur (India) on patients with breast diseases in the out-patient department/in-patient department from June 2018 to November 2020. Breast cancer patients were considered cases, and those with benign breast diseases were considered controls. Breast carcinoma diagnosis was based on clinical features, fine needle aspiration cytology, and tissue histopathology in operated specimens for each patient. Fasting serum prolactin levels were measured by the chemiluminescence immunoassay method using the Advia Centaur immunoassay system.
Results: There were 120 female patients with breast diseases, of whom 60 had breast malignancy, and 60 had benign breast diseases. The mean age of patients with benign breast disease and breast cancer was 33.17 (1.75) and 49.77 (1.16) years, respectively (P<0.0005). Increased serum prolactin levels were observed in 93.3% of patients with breast cancer and 13.3% of patients with benign breast diseases. The mean serum prolactin level was significantly higher among breast cancer patients (102.68±7.03) ng/ml compared with patients with benign breast disease (16.31±1.72 ng/ml). We successfully determined a new cut-off value of serum prolactin level (>40.2 ng/ml) to differentiate breast cancer from benign breast diseases using the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.
Conclusion: Patients with breast cancer have increased serum prolactin levels compared to patients with benign breast diseases. Thus, serum prolactin level can be used as a diagnostic marker for breast cancer. This is particularly beneficial to clinicians for differentiating breast cancer from benign breast diseases.

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Background and objectives: Previous investigations have shown that physical activity can improve insulin sensitivity and body composition by reducing the concentration of inflammatory biomarkers. The study aimed at evaluating effects of eight weeks of resistance training and high-intensity interval training on adropin, blood glucose markers, and body composition in overweight females.
Methods: sixteen overweight females (mean age: 30 ± 4.3 years and body mass index= 29 ± 2.6 kg/m²) were randomly assigned to a resistance training group (n=8) and a high-intensity interval training group (n=8). Participants in both groups trained three times a week for eight weeks. Body composition and serum level of blood markers were determined at baseline and after the last training session.
Results: Body mass, body fat percentage, and waist-hip ratio decreased significantly in both groups (p<0.05). VO_2max significantly increased in both groups, while the changes in the resistance training group were greater than in the high-intensity interval training group (p<0.05). Insulin and HOMA-IR concentrations decreased significantly in the resistance training group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Eight weeks of both training procedures could significantly decrease body composition markers. However, the training duration was not sufficient to alter fating blood sugar or adropin concentrations.

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Background and objectives: Vascular senescence refers to specific aging-associated changes in the endothelial cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of 12 weeks of resistance training with elastic bands on circulating endothelial cell-derived microRNA-92a and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in elderly women with osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO).
Methods: In the present randomized clinical trial, 48 elderly women with OSO were randomly divided into a control group (n=22) and an experimental group (n=26). The subjects in the intervention group performed 12 weeks of resistance training with elastic bands three times a week. The participants became familiar with targeted number of repetitions and OMNI-resistance exercise scale to control exercise intensity.
Results: The mean age, body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI), and bone mineral density T-score for the hip and L1-L4 lumbar spine of the subjects were 64.13±3.68 years, 45.4%±6.56, 33.1±3.71 kg/m², and -1.86±1.42, respectively. After the 12-week resistance training, we observed a significant decrease in serum level of mir-92a in the experimental group compared to the control group (p=0.03). However, there was no significant difference between the study groups in terms of body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, total cholesterol, and ET-1 (p≥0.05).
Conclusion: The 12-week resistance training program seems to modulate and decrease serum mir-92a expression in elderly women with OSO. The lack of a significant change in BMI, body fat percentage, and ET-1 levels following the exercise training might be due to the type and intensity of the exercises.

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Background and objectives: Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET) nanofibers have become an important part of human life, with a continuous increase in their production and consumption. Herein, the antibacterial activity of nickel nanoparticles/recycled polyethylene terephthalate nanofibers (NiNP/RPET NF web) was evaluated by analyzing alginate expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as an opportunistic microorganism.
Methods: NiNPs were synthesized and NiNP/RPET NF was produced by adding 25 μg/ml of NiNP to 10% solutions of RPET at a weight ratio of 3%. After exposing P. aeruginosa (PA01) to NiNP/RPET NF, the biofilm-forming capacity was determined and real-time PCR was performed to measure algD expression.
Results: Treatment with 25 μg/ml of NiNP/RPET NF reduced growth of P. aeruginosa on Mueller Hinton agar but did not result in complete inhibition. The biofilm optical density (550 nm) was 0.464 ± 0.021 after treatment with NiNP/RPET NF and 0.082± 0.011 in the absence of NiNP/RPET NF. This indicates the significant reduction of biofilm formation after exposure to NiNP/RPET NF (p=0.01). In addition, a 0.6-fold (p=0.03) reduction in alginate expression was detected by real-time quantitative real-time PCR.
Conclusion: Our results indicate the potential of NiNP/RPET NF for application in nano-based antibacterial medical systems.

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Background and objectives: The role of genetic components in expression of proteins involved in signaling pathways of fat and carbohydrate metabolism has been well-demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance levels as well as IRS1 expression in gastrocnemius muscle of obese Wistar rats.
Methods: The study included 14 male, Wistar rats (aged 10 weeks) weighting 220 ± 20 g. Obesity was induced in all rats via exposure to a high-fat diet for six weeks. Then, the rats were randomly divided into a HIIT group (n=7) and a control group (n=7). The rats in the HIIT group performed treadmill running, five sessions a week, for eight weeks. Levels of fasting glucose, serum insulin, insulin resistance, and IRS1 expression in the gastrocnemius muscle of the rats were measured after the last training session. Data were analyzed by the independent t-test at statistical significance of 0.05.
Results: The HIIT intervention significantly decreased fasting glucose compared with the control group (p<0.0001). It also resulted in a significant decrease in serum insulin levels and insulin resistance compared with the control group (p<0.0001). Moreover, the HIIT training significantly increased IRS1 expression (p=0.030) in the gastrocnemius muscle of rats.
Conclusion: Based on the available evidence, the increase in insulin function and the decrease in insulin resistance can be attributed to increased IRS1 expression in the gastrocnemius muscle following HIIT training.

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Background and objectives: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in most areas of Iran, and the diagnosis of its species is essential for controlling the disease. Leishmania major is the causative agent for cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans. Molecular methods are generally more sensitive than microscopic methods. The present study aimed to use a polymerase chain reaction-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (PCR-ELISA) technique for detecting live L. major from wounds of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Methods: In the present study, a standard strain of L. major promastigotes was used as the positive control for purification of DNA. The Novy–MacNeal–Nicolle and RPMI-1640 media were used for reproduction of parasites. DNA was isolated from specimens taken from 35 patients with suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis whose disease was confirmed by direct smear method. The PCR-ELISA technique was later applied by using the standard strain, patient specimens, and primers specific for the 18s rRNA.
Results: Out of 35 patients, 17 (48.6%) were male and 18 (51.4%) were female. In addition, 8.6% of the patients lived in the Gonbad-e Kavus County, while all patients had been infected in villages around Gonbad-e Kavus. Of 35 patients with confirmed cutaneous leishmaniasis according to the direct smear method, 31 patients (86.31%) had leishmaniasis based on the PCR method and the PCR-ELISA methods.
Conclusion: Based on the results, the PCR-ELISA method is more sensitive and accurate for detecting L. major.

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Background and objectives: Increased oxidative stress and altered antioxidant levels play an essential role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. Menopause is associated with increased food intake, weight gain, metabolic disorders, and increased level of inflammatory and oxidative stress factors. This study evaluated effects of oleuropein extract on brain tissue and serum oxidative status in ovariectomized diabetic rats.
Methods: In this study, 40 female Wistar rats weighing 250±20 grams were randomly divided into four groups: control, sham (surgery without ovariectomy), ovariectomy+diabetes, and ovariectomy+diabetes+oleuropein supplementation. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The rats in the treatment group received 60 mg/kg of oleuropein for 30 days by oral gavage. Finally, blood glucose, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity, and malonaldehyde levels were evaluated in serum and brain tissue samples.
Results: Weight, blood glucose level, and antioxidant enzymes activity increased significantly in the ovariectomy+diabetes group compared to the control group.
Conclusion: This study suggested that the administration of oleuropein extract has beneficial effects on blood glucose level and antioxidant status in serum and brain tissue of ovariectomized diabetic rats.

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Background and objectives: Sedentary life style and high-fat diet are one of the key causes of coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of periodic exercise and consumption of fenugreek seed extract on the expression of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) genes in patients with coronary artery occlusion.
Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was performed on 32 men (60±5 years) with coronary artery disease. The subjects were randomly divided into four groups: control, exercise, fenugreek supplementation, and combination of exercise and fenugreek supplementation. The training program consisted of eight weeks of intermittent running at 55 to 65% heart rate reserve, three sessions per week, with an emphasis on gradual overload. The subjects consumed 10 mg/kg of body weight fenugreek extract daily. Data analysis was performed using two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test at statistical significance of 0.05.
Results: The mean expression ratio of oxLDL and ROS genes in the intervention groups decreased significantly (p<0.0001). Compared with the control group, the most profound decreased in oxLDL and ROS expression occurred after combination of exercise and fenugreek supplementation (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: The results showed that intermittent exercise and consumption of fenugreek seed extract might have beneficial effects on the antioxidant defense system in patients with coronary artery occlusion.

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Background and objectives: Gastric ulcers occur when the mucous layer covering the gastric wall is damaged. Curcuma and licorice are famous ancient herbs that have been widely used as food additives and medicinal herbs. The present study aimed to investigate gastroprotective activity of Curcuma and licorice extract (CLE) against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in male Wistar rats.
Methods: Fifteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups and fasted for 24 hours with free access to water. The rats received different doses of CLE (200 and 500 mg/kg) or omeprazole (20 mg/kg) by oral gavage. One hour after the induction of gastric ulcer via absolute ethanol administration (5 ml/kg), the rats were sacrificed, and the stomach was opened along the greater curvature. Ulcerative lesions were observed and counted. Total juice acidity was evaluated. Finally, mRNA level of Bax and COX-2 was measured.
Results: The oral administration of CLE (200 and 500 mg/kg) and omeprazole (positive control, 20 mg/kg) to rats remarkably attenuated gastric acidity and the number of ethanol-induced gastric lesions. Further examination of gastric mucosal homogenate revealed significant downregulation of Bax and COX-2 in the CLE-treated groups compared with the lesion control group. 
Conclusion: The findings of this study confirm the gastroprotective activity of CLE against ethanol-induced gastric injury.

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Background and objectives: Lead (Pb) is among the most toxic pollutants that affect health of both humans and animals. Finding a way to prevent Pb accumulation in animals’ bodies seems necessary. Bacterial cellulose nanofiber (BCNF) can remove heavy metals from aqueous solutions. This study investigates effects of oral consumption of BCNF, as a chelator, on Pb concentration in the kidney and liver tissues of rats.
Methods: Sixteen Wistar rats (aged 6-8 weeks) were divided into four groups: 1. control, 2. fed with Pb, 3. fed with Pb (50 μg/g) and BCNF (16 μg/g) simultaneously, and 4. fed with Pb and BCNF with 4 hours interval. The rats were euthanized, and the kidney and liver tissues were separated. After acidic digestion of the tissue samples, Pb concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry.
Results: The mean concentration of Pb in the kidney and liver tissues of rats fed with Pb and BCNF were significantly lower than that of rats fed only with Pb. In addition, the mean Pb concentration in rats of group 3 was lower than that of group 4.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed the favorable effects of BCNF on prevention of Pb accumulation in the kidney and liver tissues of rats. Moreover, removal of Pb may be related to binding of BCNF with Pb in the gut or blood. More studies are necessary to determine the exact mechanisms through which BCNF can reduce Pb accumulation.
 

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Background and objectives: Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disorder in the world. Here, we evaluated effects of resveratrol supplementation alone and combined with exercise on blood glucose, insulin, lipid profile, apoptosis biomarkers, and expression of farnesoid X receptor (Fxr), liver X receptor (Lxr), and sirtuin 1 (Sirt 1) genes in the liver of type 1 diabetic rats.
Methods: Streptozotocin was used to induce type 1 diabetes in Wistar rats. The rats were randomly assigned into seven groups. After treatment with resveratrol alone or combined with exercise training, the animals were sacrificed and lipid profile and levels of blood glucose and insulin were measured. Hepatocyte apoptosis was assessed by measuring the level of Bax and Bcl2 proteins using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Expression of Fxr, Lxr, and Sirt1 was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Comparison of the mean levels of all variables between different groups was performed using one-way analysis of variance, at statistical significance level of 0.05.
Results: Resveratrol significantly reduced the level of blood glucose and insulin compared with the control groups (p<0.001). It also significantly affected the lipid profile (p<0.001). Diabetes was significantly associated with decreased expression of Sirt1, Lxr, and Fxr and increased hepatocyte apoptosis. Resveratrol significantly improved the expression of all three genes (p<0.01). Overall, resveratrol supplementation combined with exercise was more effective than other methods.
Conclusion: The results indicate that that combination of resveratrol therapy with exercise could be beneficial for diabetic patients. However, more studies are needed to confirm this finding.
 

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Background and objectives: Lesions of the head and neck region are routinely encountered by clinicians, in patients across all age groups. Diagnoses range from reactive inflammatory conditions to malignancies. Cancer is among the leading causes of death in India. Head and neck cancers account for 23% of all cancer incidents in males and 6% of all incidents in females in India,. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of cervical masses is an easy, effective, and relatively inexpensive technique. The aim of this study was to determine occurrence of various head and neck swellings and classify them under various categories.
Methods: The present study included 100 cases of palpable cervical swellings who had been referred to the AMC MET Medical College, Ahmedabad (India) from June 2018 to October 2020.
Results: The majority of cases were lymph node swellings (57%), followed by thyroid swellings (23%), salivary gland swellings (12%), and soft tissue swellings (8%). Among all cervical region swellings, tuberculous lymphadenitis and thyroid lesions were the most prevalent. 
Conclusion: The findings suggest that lymph node swellings are most commonly observed in the cervical area, and that the majority of them are inflammatory, requiring medical treatment rather than surgery. Moreover, FNAC is a straightforward, quick, and cost-effective way to distinguish between non-neoplastic and metastatic malignant lesions, which could help timely surgical interventions.  

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Background and objectives: Considering the increasing use of nanochitin for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions, examining the biological effects of this substance on the level of essential metals for humans and animals is crucial. Therefore, this study investigated impact of oral administration of nanochitin on serum levels of iron (Fe) and calcium (Ca) in Wistar rats.
Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four treatment groups and one control group. Two groups were fed with nanochitin at doses of 1.6 and 2.6 μg/g for 6 weeks, and the other two groups received the mentioned doses for 10 weeks. Serum concentrations of Fe and Ca were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy.
Results: Oral administration of 2.6 μg/g nanochitin for 10 weeks caused a significant decrease in serum Ca and Fe concentrations (p<0.05). Oral administration of 1.6 and 2.6 μg/g nanochitin for 6 weeks caused a non-significant reduction in serum Fe and Ca concentrations (p>0.05). However, nanochitin consumption for 10 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in serum Fe concentration but not Ca.
Conclusion: The limited reduction of serum Fe and Ca concentrations after oral consumption of nanochitin at a low dose and for a limited duration indicates that the controlled use of nanochitin could be safe for animals. However, complementary studies are needed to determine the exact effects of nanochitin on the animals’ bodies. On the other hand, it is recommended to use Fe and Ca supplements after consuming high doses of nanochitin for longer periods.

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Background and objectives: Pandemics have serious adverse impacts on public health, economy, social structure, and overall growth and development of a nation. Such impacts can be mitigated by timely introduction of effective vaccination programs. This was successfully achieved in India. This study was performed to compare the anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses after first and second dose of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 60 people who were vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine at Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi, India. The subjects were divided into two groups. Group I included 30 people who had received a single dose of the vaccine, and group II included 30 people who had received two doses of the vaccine. Exclusion criteria included having a history of influenza like illness/severe acute respiratory infection/proven COVID-19 infection in past 6 months. The antibody response was measured by the Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG test using the VITROS Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Reagent Pack.
Results: We observed that 97% of the subjects had reactive IgG antibodies after receiving two doses of the vaccine, whereas only 83% of the subjects developed antibodies after a single dose of the vaccine. A positive correlation was observed between the development of reactive antibodies and the duration between the first dose and the second dose (r=0.24).
Conclusion: Based on the results, the two-dose vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine is beneficial over the single-dose vaccination for protection against COVID-19. Moreover, increasing the duration between doses might improve the antibody response.

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Background and objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a communicable disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The clinical manifestations of COVID-19 vary from asymptomatic to acute respiratory distress syndrome. In severely-ill patients, neutrophil count is significantly increased. This study aimed to evaluate absolute neutrophil count (ANC) in patients with COVID-19 and healthy individuals.
Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study was carried out on patients admitted to the outpatient department of OBGY Rural Hospital (Maharashtra, India) from April 2021 to June 2021. A peripheral venous blood sample (3 ml) was taken from 143 patients with COVID-19 and 143 healthy controls. The blood samples were analyzed using a fully automated blood cell counter for the estimation of complete blood count. A peripheral blood smear was prepared and stained with Leishman stain for evaluation of morphological changes.
Results: The ANC of COVID-19 patients was significantly higher than that of healthy control subjects (p=0.00001). Toxic granules (48.9%) were the most common morphological neutrophil abnormality, followed by hypolobation, hypogranulation, Pseudo-Pelger-Huet anomaly (20.9%), and shift to left with the presence of immature myeloid series cells.
Conclusion: High ANC along with morphological changes in neutrophils could be used as a simple and inexpensive surrogate marker of COVID-19 and its severity.