Third generation sequencing analysis detects significant differences in duodenal microbiome composition between functional dyspepsia patients and control subjects.

Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a multifactorial disorder as its development may be based on several different pathophysiological mechanisms. Interaction of gut microbiome with the host has been proposed as a potential mechanism involved in the disease's pathogenesis.

Aim/methods: We aimed to characterize microbiome profiling on duodenal luminal content (DLC) of FD patients and compare it to that of controls (CG) and patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Interferon-gamma driven elevation of CXCL9: a new sepsis endotype independently associated with mortality.

Background: Endotype classification becomes the cornerstone of understanding sepsis pathogenesis. Macrophage activation-like syndrome (MALS) and immunoparalysis are the best recognized major endotypes, so far. Interferon-gamma (IFNγ) action on tissue macrophages stimulates the release of the cytotoxic chemokine CXCL9.

TLR4 and TNF-α single nucleotide polymorphisms in patients with brucellosis: Association with infection complications.

Objectives: To investigate associations of the carriage of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of proteins involved in the immune response of patients with brucellosis.

Methods: A case control study of patients with brucellosis upon WHO criteria. Blood genomic analysis was performed by RFLP- PCR for the detection of SNPs: i) at promoters -376 G > A (rs1800750); -308 G > A (rs 1,800,629); -238 G > A (rs361525) of the TNF gene, ii) at -896 A > G Asp299Gly (rs4986790) and -1196 C > T Thr399Ile (rs4986791) positions of the TLR-4 gene.

qSOFA combined with suPAR for early risk detection and guidance of antibiotic treatment in the emergency department: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Sepsis guidelines suggest immediate start of resuscitation for patients with quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) 2 or 3. However, the interpretation of qSOFA 1 remains controversial. We investigated whether measurements of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) may improve risk detection when qSOFA is 1.

Association of Vitamin D with Severity and Outcome of COVID-19: Clinical and Experimental Evidence.

Introduction: The role of vitamin in COVID-19 remains controversial. We investigated the association between endogenous vitamin D and the severity of COVID-19 as well as the mechanisms of action of vitamin D supplementation.

Methods: 25(OH)D3 in serum was associated with disease severity and outcome in 190 COVID-19 patients.