Pregnancy is a highly regulated biological phenomenon that involves the development of a semi-allogeneic fetus inside the uterus of the mother. The maternal-fetal interface is a critical junction where communication takes place between the fetal and maternal immune systems, which determine the outcome of the pregnancy. The interface is composed of the decidua and placenta.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMyeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) present a unique challenge in surgical management due to their inherent predisposition to both bleeding and thrombosis. MPNs are a heterogenous group of acquired clonal conditions. The three classic MPNs are essential thrombocythemia (ET), myelofibrosis (PMF), and polycythemia vera (PV).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe malfunctioning of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigens has a substantial negative impact on the effectiveness of leukemia treatment, particularly in the development of immunotherapies that rely on T-cell activation. HLA-G, a molecule that suppresses the immune response, plays a role in repressing the activation and proliferation of T cells, natural killer cells, and antigen-presenting cells. The expression of HLA-G is associated with various pathological conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFConcurrent infections in hematological malignancies (HM) are major contributors to adverse clinical outcomes, including prolonged hospitalization and reduced life expectancy. Individuals diagnosed with HM are particularly susceptible to infectious pathogens due to immunosuppression, which can either be inherent to the hematological disorder or induced by specific therapeutic therapies. Over the years, the treatment paradigm for HM has witnessed a tremendous shift from broad-spectrum treatment approaches to more specific, targeted therapies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWith the advent of COVID-19, the number of patients diagnosed with mucormycosis has increased, especially in developing countries. The reason behind this increase is that COVID-19 causes hypoxia that promotes the growth of fungus. To identify the association between mucormycosis and COVID-19, in critically ill or immunocompromised COVID-19 patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStem cell transplant proved its efficacy in increasing the survival rate among young patients diagnosed with hematological malignancies. A transplant conditioning regimen is particularly destructive on the genital system, often determining premature ovarian failure, accompanied by vulvovaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunctions. The aims of the present study were, first, to evaluate sexual dysfunctions among transplanted women, using clinical examination and the female sexual function index (FSFI), and second, to determine their impact on a couple's relationship.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEpigenetic alterations are heritable and enduring modifications in gene expression that play a pivotal role in immune evasion. These include alterations to noncoding RNA, DNA methylation, and histone modifications. DNA methylation plays a crucial role in normal cell growth and development but alterations in methylation patterns such as hypermethylation or hypomethylation can enable tumor and viral cells to evade host immune responses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntibiotic therapy is a cornerstone of modern medicine, yet the development of antibiotic resistance threatens to render these therapies ineffective. The gut microbiota, a complex ecosystem of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract, plays a critical role in modulating antibiotic efficacy and resistance. This review delves into the intricate relationship between gut microbiota, antibiotic therapy, and resistance and discusses the potential applications of gut microbiota research in guiding personalized antibiotic therapy and resistance mitigation strategies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCardiovascular diseases (CVD) have emerged as a common and serious complication of cancer treatment, particularly in patients undergoing cardiotoxic therapies. Over the last few years, the medical community has become increasingly aware of the potential for cardiotoxicity resulting from cancer treatments involving chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and radiation therapy. This recognition is due to the significant risk of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients and survivors resulting from such treatment-induced cardiovascular damage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe tolerance of the immune system for the semi-allogeneic embryo is promoted by several factors and the cells involved in the immune system and factors in the mother during pregnancy. The dysregulation of the immune responses between the mother and fetus is a risk factor that raises the likelihood of rejection of the embryo and reproductive failure. To safeguard embryos and prevent immunological attacks, it is critical to suppress immunological rejection and encourage immunological tolerance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFConcurrent infections in hematological malignancies (HM) are major contributors to adverse clinical outcomes, including prolonged hospitalization and reduced life expectancy. Individuals diagnosed with HM are particularly susceptible to infectious pathogens due to immunosuppression, which can either be inherent to the hematological disorder or induced by specific therapeutic strategies. Over the years, the treatment paradigm for HM has witnessed a tremendous shift, from broad-spectrum treatment approaches to more specific targeted therapies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTumor growth and metastasis are reliant on intricate interactions between the host immune system and various counter-regulatory immune escape mechanisms employed by the tumor. Tumors can resist immune surveillance by modifying the expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules, which results in the impaired presentation of tumor-associated antigens, subsequently evading detection and destruction by the immune system. The management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is based on symptom severity and includes various types of targeted therapies, including rituximab, obinutuzumab, ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, zanubrutinib, idelalisib, and venetoclax.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImmune tolerance at the feto-maternal interface is crucial for the growth of the semi-allograft fetus in the womb. The outcome of pregnancy is dependent on a fine balance between various immunological forces. For a long time, the potential role of the immune system in pregnancy disorders has remained enigmatic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a rare and aggressive mature T-cell malignancy caused by the human T lymphoma virus I (HTLV-I) affecting 3-5% of HTLV-1 carriers and is usually diagnosed in endemic regions. Romania is a region with high prevalence of HTLV-1 infection and ATLL and with low median age at diagnosis for aggressive types. We performed a retrospective analysis of post-transplant outcome in the first Romanian patients with ATLL receiving hematopoietic stem cell allotransplant.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPolycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) are classical myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), characterized by specific somatic mutations in JAK2, CALR or MPL genes. JAK2 46/1 and TERT rs2736100 polymorphisms are known to significantly predispose to MPN. This study aimed to establish the additional contribution of the recently described MECOM rs2201862, HBS1L-MYB rs9376092 and THRB-RARB rs4858647 polymorphisms to the occurrence of MPN.
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