Antibiotic resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance in bacterial pathogens is a challenge that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Multidrug resistance patterns in Gram-positive and -negative bacteria are difficult to treat and may even be untreatable with conventional antibiotics. There is currently a shortage of effective therapies, lack of successful prevention measures, and only a few new antibiotics, which require development of novel treatment options and alternative antimicrobial therapies.

A link: Allergic rhinitis, Asthma & Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

This review has discussed a link between allergic rhinitis, asthma and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and a case report in this area. A clear link with symptoms of allergic rhinitis, asthma and SLE exists. Several articles found on pubmed in the literature are listed on allergic rhinitis and allergy, Th1-immune responses, mast cells in autoimmunity, total immunoglobulin E levels in lupus, atopic diseases and SLE are reviewed.

Review: Immunology of sinusitis, trauma, asthma, and sepsis.

Background: This review article is important for allergists/immunologists and otolaryngologists. It discussed chronic rhinosinusitis, epidemiology, pathogenesis, innate adaptive immunology, nuclear factor-kappa B related to inflammation, sepsis, complement, reactive oxygen species, asthma, sinusitis, elderly pathogenesis, oxidative stress, depression, seasonal variation, vitamin D, genetic susceptibility and sepsis, hereditary angioedema related to trauma and stress.

Objective: The objective of this review is to link chronic rhinosinusitis, epidemiology, innate and adaptive immunology, NF-kappa B related to inflammation, sepsis, complement, reactive oxygen species, asthma and sinusitis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and atherosclerosis: Review of the literature.

The purpose of this manuscript is to extensively review the literature related to systemic lupus erythematosus and atherosclerosis. The conclusion of this review has covered accelerated atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus, the role of complement, interferon in premature atherosclerosis, inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, leukocytes, innate and adaptive immunity, hydrolytic enzymes, reactive oxygen species, vascular endothelial growth factor, toll receptors in lupus nephritis, several specific anti-inflammatory pharmacological therapies, and potential prevention strategies for atherothrombotic events, interferons and the inflammasome. It is important for allergist-immunologists, rheumatologists both in academic institutions and in practice to understand this important disorder.

Asthma, stress, and depression in women.

The occurrence of depression with asthma is very common, especially in women, and can influence behavioral factors, such as treatment compliance, self-assessment, and management of environmental triggers, that can collectively result in poor asthma management and control. This review describes the association and major clinical implications of stress, anxiety, and depression, and the associated hormonal changes frequently seen in women with poorly controlled asthma. Several validated instruments have recently been developed for screening patients for depression that can now be used and benefit patients with asthma by earlier detection of these confounding risk factors.

Efficacy of novel monoclonal antibody belimumab in the treatment of lupus nephritis.

Recently introduced into the market, belimumab (Benlysta) is a monoclonal antibody that has potential clinically efficacious applications for the treatment of lupus nephritis. Lupus nephritis is a major complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that can lead to significant illness or even death without proper intervention and treatment. With vast implications through a novel mechanism, belimumab offers a new standard of treatment for physicians in the complications associated with SLE, specifically lupus nephritis.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.

Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) involves the skin, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurologic systems, classified as primary, secondary, and idiopathic. Earlier criteria for MCAS diagnosis included episodic symptoms with mast cell mediators affecting two or more organ systems with urticaria, angioedema, flushing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, hypotensive syncope, tachycardia, wheezing, conjunctival injection, pruritus, nasal stuffiness, decrease in frequency, severity, or resolution of symptoms with anti-mediator therapy including H/H receptor antagonists, anti-leukotrienes, or mast cell stabilizers. Laboratory data includes an increased validated urinary or serum markers of MCAS, documentation of an increase of the marker above the patient's baseline value during symptomatic periods on more than two occasions, or baseline serum tryptase levels that are persistently above 15 ng/mL.

Asthma linked with rhinosinusitis: An extensive review.

Current literature related to asthma diagnosis, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment linked with rhinosinusitis is important. Asthma is very heterogeneous; new theories and treatments are emerging. It is a growing epidemic among children and adults in the United States and the severity of asthma is caused by many factors such as lack of education, poor early recognition, decreased symptom awareness, improper medications, and phenotypic changes.

Good's syndrome, CVID, and selective antibody deficiency in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Good's syndrome and common variable immune deficiency (CVID) are associated with chronic rhinosinusitis. Good's syndrome is characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia, B-cell depletion, variable defects in cellular immunity and thymoma. Immunodeficiency and recurrent infections can initially present after thymectomy.

Pediatric Mastocytosis: A Review of the Literature.

Mastocytosis has a bimodal distribution often presenting in children from birth to 2 years of age and in those over the age of 15. Pediatric mastocytosis is due to the effects of mast-cell degranulation enzymes such as histamine and tryptase causing the presentation of pruritis, flushing, vesicles, abdominal and bone pain, or headache. Three different forms of mastocytosis can occur: urticaria pigmentosa, diffuse cutaneous, and solitary mastocytoma.

Lupus nephritis: review of the literature.

Physicians in practice should be knowledgeable regarding several aspects of autoimmune disorders, especially systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis. These disorders can present to the clinician's clinic and private office regardless of their specialty. This review will discuss various aspects of SLE, its mechanisms of disease, role of accelerated atherosclerosis, proinflammatory cytokines, and therapeutic approaches.

New insights into an autoimmune mechanism, pharmacological treatment and relationship between multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are autoimmune diseases with a close relationship to their disease pattern and immunologic cascade with considerable morbidity and mortality. This article provides insight of why tumor necrosis factor blockers couldn't work in multiple sclerosis and why interferon-beta doesn't work in inflammatory bowel disease. In this article, we provide a detailed review of the linkage and potential interchangeable medication between IBD and MS in addition to Natalizumab, Trichuris suis egg therapy and vitamin D.

Asthma in the geriatric population.

Asthma is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the geriatric population. Despite the rising incidence of asthma in people >65 years of age, the diagnosis is frequently missed in this population. Factors that contribute to this include respiratory changes caused by aging, immunosenescence, lack of symptoms, polypharmacy, clinician unawareness, and lack of evidence-based guidelines for diagnosis and management that target this population.

Alzheimer's disease and immunotherapy.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a growing health care epidemic. It is the most common cause of dementia and its incidence is rising. Age, which influences the oxidative and inflammatory states of the brain, is the most important risk factor.

NF-κB and systemic lupus erythematosus: examining the link.

Physicians should be knowledgeable regarding several aspects of autoimmune disorders, especially systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with which patients can present in their office with urticaria or vasculitis and which may masquerade as another condition. This paper reviews the link between NF-κB and SLE, including B-cell development, signaling and cytokines which play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of SLE and T-cell development, a key player in T-cell activation. The roles of dendritic cells, which can promote tolerance or immunity to antigens, of polymorphisms and of NF-κB, which are linked with SLE, are also discussed.

A review on the role of quinones in renal disorders.

Quinones are electron and proton carriers that play a primary role in the aerobic metabolism of virtually every cell in nature. Most physiological quinones are benzoquinones. They undergo highly regulated redox reactions in the mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum.

Mechanisms of disease for the clinician: systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To review the complex interactions and processes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Data Sources: Brief review of the important literature in peer-reviewed journals.

Study Selection: Studies on the clinical and immunologic features, pathogenesis, epidemiology, laboratory evaluation, and treatment of SLE are included in this review.

Bacterial biofilms and chronic rhinosinusitis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a highly prevalent disease in the adult and pediatric population. It causes significant burden and the management is considered one of the most costly public health conditions. Comorbidities include asthma, aspirin sensitivity, and nasal polyposis.

The T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain (Tim) gene family in asthma, allergy, and autoimmunity.

The T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain (Tim) gene family is a relatively newly discovered group of molecules with a conserved structure and important immunologic functions. Tim molecules express on many types of immune cells including T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and mast cells that have been shown to be involved in asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, and autoimmunity. Tim-1-Tim-4 interaction promotes Th2 cytokine responses, and blocking this interaction can decrease airway inflammation in asthma and in allergic rhinitis.

Is there a relationship between fibromyalgia and rhinitis?

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common chronic pain disorder characterized by diffuse musculoskeletal pain and stiffness. It is recognized as a common syndrome affecting 2-4% of the population that may present with several ambiguous and seemingly unrelated symptoms. A broad variety of complaints and lack of tests to accurately identify the disease challenges physicians with confirming this elusive diagnosis.

Mast cell activation syndrome: a review.

Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is a condition with signs and symptoms involving the skin, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurologic systems. It can be classified into primary, secondary, and idiopathic. Earlier proposed criteria for the diagnosis of MCAS included episodic symptoms consistent with mast cell mediator release affecting two or more organ systems with urticaria, angioedema, flushing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, hypotensive syncope or near syncope, tachycardia, wheezing, conjunctival injection, pruritus, and nasal stuffiness.

Inflammatory malignant fibrous histiocytoma associated with leukemoid reaction or leukocytosis: a comprehensive review.

Inflammatory malignant fibrous histiocytoma (IMFH) associated with leukemoid reaction (LR)/leukocytosis is a rare entity. In this paper, we search PubMed for all known cases of IMFH associated with LR/leukocytosis in an attempt to draw conclusions about this variant's response to treatments and its pathophysiology. Medline electronic database was searched using key words such as malignant fibrous histiocytoma, leukemoid reaction, and leukocytosis.

Role of nuclear factor-ĸB in breast and colorectal cancer.

The purpose of this review article is to highlight articles and new research regarding the link between NF-ĸB and several cancers. This review presents the most up-to-date NF-ĸB research and how it links this important transcription factor with hematology and oncology. It was written by conducting a thorough search of Pubmed as well as several journals such as Cancer, Nature, Science, Cell and those of one of the authors.

Immune response to nanomaterials: implications for medicine and literature review.

Nanomaterials, substances below 100 nm, are increasingly used in medical diagnosis and treatment every day. The use of such materials has helped deliver drugs across the blood-brain barrier, alleviate allergy symptoms, specifically target cancer or HIV cells, and more. However, the tunable characteristics of such materials have not been perfected.