Background: We aimed to investigate the association between selected inflammatory and immune variables and survival of dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). We evaluated data of 62 client-owned dogs with MMVD, grouped into preclinical, stable congestive heart failure (CHF) and unstable CHF. Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to quantify the association of white blood cell count, concentrations and percentages of T lymphocytes and their subtypes (T helper lymphocytes, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, double positive T lymphocytes, double negative T lymphocytes) and B lymphocytes with survival.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSterols from cholesterol synthesis are crucial for cholesterol production, but also have individual roles difficult to assess due to essentiality of cholesterol. We developed HepG2 cell models with knockouts (KOs) for three enzymes of cholesterol synthesis, each accumulating specific sterols. Surprisingly, KOs of , , and shared only 9% of differentially expressed genes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis prospective cohort study assessed the SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA Ab profiles at delivery and 42 d postpartum in unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women and determined the association with the timing and the clinical course of the infection. A total of 387 vaccine-naive women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy were included. IgG and IgA Abs were detected in maternal blood at delivery and 42 d postpartum using ELISA kits.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy holds enormous potential for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Despite its benefits, it is still used as a second line of therapy, mainly because of its severe side effects and patient unresponsiveness. Numerous researchers worldwide have attempted to identify effective predictive biomarkers for early prediction of treatment outcomes and adverse effects in CAR T cell therapy, albeit so far only with limited success.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection of the human central nervous system caused by the TBE virus (TBEV). The most effective protective measure against TBE is vaccination. Despite the highly immunogenic vaccine, cases of vaccine breakthroughs (VBTs) occur.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: (Group B , GBS), a Gram-positive commensal in healthy adults, remains a major cause of neonatal infections, usually manifesting as sepsis, meningitis, or pneumonia. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis has greatly reduced the incidence of early-onset disease. However, given the lack of effective measures to prevent the risk of late-onset disease and invasive infections in immunocompromised individuals, more studies investigating the GBS-associated pathogenesis and the interplay between bacteria and host immune system are needed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Although children seem to be less susceptible to COVID-19, some of them develop a rare but serious hyperinflammatory condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). While several studies describe the clinical conditions of acute MIS-C, the status of convalescent patients in the months after acute MIS-C is still unclear, especially the question of persistence of changes in the specific subpopulations of immune cells in the convalescent phase of the disease.
Methods: We therefore analyzed peripheral blood of 14 children with MIS-C at the onset of the disease (acute phase) and 2 to 6 months after disease onset (post-acute convalescent phase) for lymphocyte subsets and antigen-presenting cell (APC) phenotype.
BACKGROUND Monitoring of trough levels and anti-drug antibodies is important when patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are treated with anti-TNF biologics due to guided therapeutic decisions. The comparability of 3 ELISA tests for detection of the lowest serum concentration of infliximab (IFX) or antibodies to IFX (ATIs) was evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS Two commercial assays for measuring IFX levels were compared with the in-house (UHL) test.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a genetically determined early-onset progressive encephalopathy caused by mutations leading to overexpression of type I interferon (IFN) and resulting in various clinical phenotypes. A gain-of-function (GOF) mutation in the gene is associated with robust production of type I IFN and activation of the Janus kinase (JAK) signal transducer and activator of the transcription (STAT) pathway, which can cause AGS type 7. We detail the clinical case of an infant who initially presented with pneumonia (PCP), had recurrent respiratory infections, and was later treated with a JAK inhibitor, baricitinib, because of a genetically confirmed GOF mutation in the gene.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To estimate the incidence and describe the spectrum of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination in children from two neighbouring south central European countries.
Methods: We performed a multi-centre prospective cohort study of children under 18 years diagnosed with inflammatory/autoimmune diseases linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination, who were admitted to the paediatric tertiary care hospitals in Slovenia and Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy, from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021. Disease incidence was calculated based on laboratory-confirmed cases only.
Scarce data exist on the effects of coenzyme Q (CoQ) supplementation in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of CoQ supplementation on oxidative stress markers (glutathione peroxidase, F2-isoprostanes), markers of inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-α, TNF soluble receptor II, leucocytes, and their subtypes), lymphocyte subpopulations (T helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, including activated T lymphocytes, and B lymphocytes), and echocardiographic and clinical parameters in dogs with MMVD. In this randomized, controlled, double-blind, longitudinal study, 43 MMVD dogs in stages ACVIM (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine classification) B2 and ACVIM C and D (congestive heart failure (CHF)) received water-soluble coenzyme Q (100 mg twice daily) or placebo for 3 months, and 12 non-supplemented healthy dogs served as controls.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Data on alterations in peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) subtypes in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is lacking.
Objectives: To investigate PBL subtypes and their correlation with parameters of inflammation and MMVD progression markers in dogs with different stages of MMVD.
Animals: Seventy-eight client-owned dogs: 65 with MMVD (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine [ACVIM] classification stages B2, C, and D) and 13 healthy controls.
Although a vaccination campaign has been launched in many countries, the COVID-19 pandemic is not under control. The main concern is the emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2; therefore, it is important to find approaches to prevent or reduce the virulence and pathogenicity of the virus. Currently, the mechanism of action of SARS-CoV-2 is not fully understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecent research has indicated that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota can lead to an altered circadian clock of the mammalian host. Herein we developed an original system that allows real-time circadian studies of human HepG2 hepatoma cells co-cultured with bacteria. The HepG2 cells with stably integrated firefly luciferase reporter under the control of promoter were co-cultured with strains isolated from human fecal samples from healthy individuals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: There is insufficient knowledge about how aerobic exercise impacts the disease process of multiple sclerosis, which is characterized by accumulation of white matter lesions and accelerated brain atrophy.
Objective: To examine the effect of aerobic exercise on neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration by magnetic resonance imaging and clinical measures of disease activity and progression in persons with multiple sclerosis.
Patients And Methods: An exploratory 12-week randomized control trial including an intervention group (n = 14, 12 weeks of aerobic exercise twice weekly) and a control group (n = 14, continuation of usual lifestyle).
Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a massive healthcare crisis. To investigate what makes healthcare system resilient and physicians better at coping during a crisis situation, our study investigated the role risk exposure, such as working at COVID-19 entry points, sleep, and perceived work safety played in reducing negative psychological functioning at work, as well as their effects on adverse and potentially fatal incidences of compromised safety and medical errors.
Methods: Our study included a representative sample of 1,189 physicians, from all 12 Slovenian regions and all medical occupations, as registered by the Medical Chamber of Slovenia.
Background: The aim of the study was to address the working population with an occupational stress prevention program using mHealth solution and encourage them for healthy lifestyle choices.
Methods: Seventeen participants were randomized from the corporate setting. A 24alife app with a good compliance program was selected.
Background: Health care professionals are exposed to the psychological and physiological effects of stress, which is a well-known risk factor for various mental and physical health problems.
Objective: The aims of this study were to assess the adherence of female health care workers to use a web-based tool for improving and modifying lifestyle and to identify the potential factors influencing their adherence.
Methods: A prospective, observational study was performed.
Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate the damaging impact of characteristics of the central venous catheters (CVCs) on red blood cells.
Methods: CVCs from three different manufacturers were analyzed, including the presence of coating, tunnel geometry, length, lumen diameter, and number of lumens with two respective flow rates (33 mL/min and 500 mL/min). Blood cell damage was defined by analyzing microparticle (MP) and hematologic analysis.
Extracellular vesicles with their molecular cargo can modulate target cell response and may affect the pathogenesis of diseases. The extracellular vesicles containing micro-RNAs (miRNAs), which are often studied as disease biomarkers, but rarely as mediators of the disease development. The role of extracellular vesicles derived miRNAs in type 1 diabetes is currently not well established.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExtracorporeal hemadsorption may reduce inflammatory reaction in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery. Glucocorticoids have been used during open-heart surgery for alleviation of systemic inflammation after CPB. We compared intraoperative hemadsorption and methylprednisolone, with usual care, during complex cardiac surgery on CPB, for inflammatory responses, hemodynamics, and perioperative course.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF