Triple Immunotherapy Overcomes Immune Evasion by Tumor in a Melanoma Mouse Model.

Melanoma is a malignancy with increasing incidence that underlies most skin cancer-related deaths. Advanced melanoma patients still have poor prognosis despite recently developed immunotherapies. This study devises a triple immunotherapy to treat melanoma in a mouse model.

Atorvastatin increases the production of proinflammatory cytokines and decreases the survival of Escherichia coli-infected mice.

To assess whether the immunosuppressive effects of atorvastatin outweigh its antibacterial ones in an infection, mice were infected with Escherichia coli and administered atorvastatin; survival rates were then monitored. Mice treated with atorvastatin post-infection showed a remarkable decrease in their survival rate. On the other hand, the higher the level of serum IFN-γ in the infected mice treated with atorvastatin, the lower was the survival rate.

Epstein-Barr virus DNA modulates regulatory T-cell programming in addition to enhancing interleukin-17A production via Toll-like receptor 9.

Infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been associated with several autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We have previously reported that DNA from this virus enhances production of the pro-autoimmune interleukin 17A (IL-17A) in mice. In this study we assessed the effect of EBV DNA on regulatory T cell programming and examined whether it mediated its effects via Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) in mice; moreover, we evaluated whether EBV DNA in humans had similar effects to those seen in mice.

The Effect of Denatured Flagellin on Toll-Like Receptor-5 (TLR-5) in Mice.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that flagellin, a component of bacterial flagella, engages Toll-Like receptor 5 (TLR-5) causing the activation of the Myeloid Differentiation Factor-88 (MYD-88) pathway that leads to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-12 (IL-12). In physiological levels, cytokines can aid in protection against infectious agents. However, excessive production of cytokines can lead to septic shock during sepsis.

The effect of ciprofloxacin on the growth of B16F10 melanoma cells.

Objective: The antitumor effect of ciprofloxacin has been widely assessed in-vitro, and positive results have been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of ciprofloxacin treatment on the growth of B16F10 melanoma cells both in-vitro and in-vivo.

Materials And Methods: Groups of C57BL/6 female mice challenged with B16F10 melanoma cells were kept untreated or were treated with sterile water, intraperitoneal ciprofloxacin, or ciprofloxacin through drinking water for 10 days.

Atorvastatin Reduces the Survival of Candida albicans-Infected BALB/c Mice.

Several antimicrobial and immunosuppressive effects have been attributed to the statins class of antihyperlipidemia drugs. Several studies have also indicated clinical benefits for the use of statins during the management of infections and sepsis. To assess whether the immunosuppressive effects of statins outweigh their antimicrobial effects during a fungal infection BALB/c mice were administered Candida albicans via intraperitoneal injection.

Epstein-Barr Virus and Human herpes virus 6 Type A DNA Enhance IL-17 Production in Mice.

Several studies have shown a potential association between the Herpesviridae members, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6), and an increased risk of autoimmune disease development. Because of the ability of these viruses to cause recurrent infections, various viral antigens, including viral DNA, are consistently shed. These antigens may then play a role in triggering autoimmune processes or contributing to autoimmune mechanisms.

Effects of catalase and 1400W on the number of interleukin-4 and interferon-γ secreting spleen cells in mice injected with ovalbumin and alum.

Context: Alum is thought to induce inflammation resulting in the release of danger signals such as uric acid (UA) which in turn enhances the immune response to an antigen. Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is produced as a byproduct in the purine catabolic pathway that leads to the production of UA. In addition, serum nitric oxide (NO) levels are increased in inflammation.

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: The Middle East experience.

Objectives: To summarize the experience of the Middle East in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN), to discuss the associated advantages and salient problems, to examine the learning curve encountered compared with that of the pioneering centres in the West, and the contribution of the regional centres to the worldwide experience.

Methods: We searched Medline and PubMed for all centres performing LDN in the Middle East. Questionnaires were e-mailed to the regional transplantation centres, and programme directors, and leading urological and transplant surgeons were contacted by telephone.

The impact of prophylactic antiviral agents and statin administration on graft longevity in kidney allograft recipients.

Context: In an earlier study, we compared the duration of kidney graft survival between two groups of recipients; one on triple (cyclosporine, prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil) and the other on quadruple (cyclosporine, prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil, and sirolimus) immunosuppressive therapy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of antiviral and statin therapy on graft longevity.

Materials And Methods: One hundred five kidney allograft recipients were preoperatively assessed for serological markers of infection with various viral agents.

Identification and antibacterial resistance of bacteria isolated from poultry.

Food-borne infections are among the prominent health hazards. Antibacterial agents (ABA) are usually administered to poultry in Lebanon as antibiotic growth promoters (AGP), which might lead to the dissemination of resistant bacterial strains. The aims of this study were to isolate potential food borne pathogens from poultry and investigate an association between AGP usage and antibacterial resistance (ABR).

Decrease in Shiga toxin expression using a minimal inhibitory concentration of rifampicin followed by bactericidal gentamicin treatment enhances survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7-infected BALB/c mice.

Background: Treatment of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections with antimicrobial agents is controversial due to an association with potentially fatal sequelae. The production of Shiga toxins is believed to be central to the pathogenesis of this organism. Therefore, decreasing the expression of these toxins prior to bacterial eradication may provide a safer course of therapy.

Identification of bacteria isolated from nasal polyps and their ability to produce superantigens and biofilms in Lebanese patients.

Staphylococcus aureus superantigens and bacterial biofilms have been implicated in the development of chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps. We conducted a study of 32 Lebanese patients-21 males and 11 females, aged 15 to 71 years (mean: 39)-to identify bacteria isolated from nasal polyps and to determine if these bacteria produced superantigens and biofilms. Polyps were surgically removed, homogenized, and subjected to bacteriologic studies.

The effect of five antibacterial agents on the physiological levels of serum nitric oxide in mice.

In addition to their action on microorganisms, antibacterial agents have been reported to affect host defense mechanisms. Nitric oxide (NO) that is produced by a number of cell types in the innate immune response is bactericidal, but when produced in excessive amounts it could be detrimental to the host. In this study, five antibacterial agents (gentamicin, tobramycin, imipenem, tigecycline, isoniazid) were compared with respect to their ability to affect NO production in mice.

Role of rifampicin in limiting Escherichia coli O157:H7 Shiga-like toxin expression and enhancement of survival of infected BALB/c mice.

The sequelae of infection with Escherichia coli O157:H7 include the potentially fatal haemolytic uraemic syndrome. The pathobiological process of E. coli O157:H7 is chiefly dependent on the production of Shiga-like toxins I and II (SLT-I and -II).

Porphyromonas gingivalis in dental plaque and serum C-reactive protein levels in pregnancy.

Background: The periodontopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) has been reported as a risk factor for preterm labour. Its pathogenesis and role in pregnancy have not been investigated in Lebanon. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in pregnant women with periodontitis also appear to mediate preterm labour.

Monoclonal antibodies used as prophylactic, therapeutic and diagnostic agents.

Monoclonal antibodies can be of mouse, part mouse part human (chimeric, humanized), or of human origin. Their preparation involves hybridoma, gene cloning, gene recombination, phage display, and gene transfection techniques. The preparation, mechanism of action, uses, and possible adverse effects of most of the available monoclonal antibodies used as prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic agents are reviewed.

Patented small molecules against psoriasis.

Background: It is hypothesized that psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. The most recent therapeutic approach that proved to be more effective than earlier methods of treatment is the use of mAb/fusion proteins. Efforts nowadays are focused on investigating the antipsoriatic affect of small molecules that can be administered orally, some of which are capable of entering cells, and being selective in targeting intracellular pathways.

The potential use of Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists and antagonists as prophylactic and/or therapeutic agents.

Toll-like receptors (TLR) and their ligands are one of the main players in the initiation of innate immunity which precedes, and is required, for the establishment of adaptive immunity. Manipulating the immune response by using TLR agonists or antagonists might be of therapeutic and/or prophylactic value. This review covers; 1-TLR.

Influence of HLA disparity, immunosuppressive regimen used, and type of kidney allograft on production of anti-HLA class-I antibodies after transplant and occurrence of rejection.

We studied the effects of HLA disparity, immunosuppressive regimen used, and the type of kidney allograft on production of anti-HLA antibodies after transplant and the occurrence of rejection episodes. Five living-unrelated donors and 4 living-related donors kidney recipients received quadruple therapy (including sirolimus and mycophenolate mofetil). Fifteen living-unrelated donors and 19 living-related donors received triple therapy (excluding sirolimus).

The effects of Alcea rosea L., Malva sylvestris L. and Salvia libanotica L. water extracts on the production of anti-egg albumin antibodies, interleukin-4, gamma interferon and interleukin-12 in BALB/c mice.

Polysaccharides obtained from certain plants have been reported to have immunomodulatory properties. As a consequence of these reports the aim of this study was to investigate some immunomodulatory properties of water extracts of Alcea rosea L. (ARE), Malva sylvestris L.

Streptococcus sp. and Staphylococcus aureus isolates from patients with psoriasis possess genes that code for toxins (superantigens): clinical and therapeutic implications.

Superantigens are powerful T lymphocyte-stimulating agents that are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of certain diseases such as psoriasis. Toxins produced by Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus are superantigens. The aim of this study was to detect genes that code for superantigens in Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus isolates from psoriatic patients.

Effect of atorvastatin on antibody, interleukin-4 and gamma-interferon production in mice immunized with egg albumin.

Three-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors, also known as statins, are widely used as the drug of choice for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. However, actions beyond that of simply lowering cholesterol levels have been reported. This study aims at evaluating the effect of atorvastatin on antibody interleukin-4 and gamma-interferon production in mice immunized with egg albumin.

Polymerase chain reaction identification of coagulase-negative Staphylococci and of strain diversity and spread of Staphylococcus epidermidis in a major medical center in Lebanon.

A 2-step polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, respectively, were assessed to identify coagulase-negative staphylococci organisms to the species level and to determine the strain diversity and spread of Staphylococcus epidermidis, the most frequently isolated species, in a medical center in Beirut, Lebanon. Our data indicated that PCR was faster and was more efficient in identifying S. epidermidis isolates than is conventional biochemical testing.

HLA allele associations and V-beta T-lymphocyte expansions in patients with psoriasis, harboring toxin-producing Staphylococcus aureus.

HLA alleles have been associated with psoriasis. Toxin-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus behave as superantigens, and if present in patients, might play a role in the exacerbation of psoriatic lesions by activating certain V-beta (V beta) T-lymphocyte subsets. Allele frequencies in 22 patients and 22 controls (alleles determined by DNA/SSP typing) were used to calculate a relative risk of $4.