Impact of breastfeeding and formula feeding on immune cell populations and blood cell parameters: an observational study.

Objective: Breastfeeding is associated with improved health outcomes in infancy and throughout adulthood as breast milk encompasses diverse immune-active factors that affect the ontogeny of the immune system in breastfed (BF) infants. Nevertheless, the impact of infant feeding on the immune system is poorly understood, and a comprehensive understanding of immune system development in human infants is lacking. In this observational study, we addressed the effects of different infant feeding approaches on cell populations and parameters in the peripheral blood of infants to gain insight into the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system.

The Multifaceted Roles of NK Cells in the Context of Murine Cytomegalovirus and Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infections.

NK cells belong to innate lymphoid cells and able to eliminate infected cells and tumor cells. NK cells play a valuable role in controlling viral infections. Also, they have the potential to shape the adaptive immunity via a unique crosstalk with the different immune cells.

Expression of Interferon Regulatory Factor 8 (IRF8) and Its Association with Infections in Dialysis Patients.

Patients on dialysis have dysfunctions of innate and adaptive immune system responses. The transcriptional factor IRF8 (interferon regulatory factor 8) is primarily expressed in plasmacytoid cells (pDCs) and myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs), playing a crucial role in the maturation of dendritic cells, monocytes, and macrophages, and contributing to protection against bacterial infections. The current study analyzed the expression patterns of IRF8 and assessed its association with the risk of infections in 79 dialysis patients compared to 44 healthy controls.

Insights into Virus-Induced Immune Mediated Liver Pathology.

In the context of chronic viral infections, the hepatic microenvironment dictates the outcome of the disease by influencing propagation of virus and regulation of cytotoxic CD8 T cell response. Nevertheless, such regulation could be beneficial as it resolves the disease or could be detrimental as it causes liver pathological consequences. Liver pathology is a hallmark of chronic viral infection in both human and murine models.

Replication of Influenza A Virus in Secondary Lymphatic Tissue Contributes to Innate Immune Activation.

The replication of viruses in secondary lymphoid organs guarantees sufficient amounts of pattern-recognition receptor ligands and antigens to activate the innate and adaptive immune system. Viruses with broad cell tropism usually replicate in lymphoid organs; however, whether a virus with a narrow tropism relies on replication in the secondary lymphoid organs to activate the immune system remains not well studied. In this study, we used the artificial intravenous route of infection to determine whether Influenza A virus (IAV) replication can occur in secondary lymphatic organs (SLO) and whether such replication correlates with innate immune activation.

Corrigendum to: Tranexamic acid use in a patient with sickle cell disease undergoing posterior scoliosis correction surgery: safely mitigating bleeding and vaso-occlusive crises.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjaa559.].

Integrin Alpha E (CD103) Limits Virus-Induced IFN-I Production in Conventional Dendritic Cells.

Early and strong production of IFN-I by dendritic cells is important to control vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), however mechanisms which explain this cell-type specific innate immune activation remain to be defined. Here, using a genome wide association study (GWAS), we identified Integrin alpha-E (, CD103) as a new regulator of antiviral IFN-I production in a mouse model of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection. CD103 was specifically expressed by splenic conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) and limited IFN-I production in these cells during VSV infection.

Tranexamic acid use in a patient with sickle cell disease undergoing posterior scoliosis correction surgery: safely mitigating bleeding and vaso-occlusive crises.

A 15-year-old female with 2-year post-menarchal adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and sickle cell disease (SCD) underwent posterior scoliosis correction surgery. SCD is associated with higher rates of surgical complications, and these patients require careful management to prevent vaso-occlusive sickle cell crises (VOSCC); scoliosis correction surgery can be associated with high morbidity and mortality, including significant blood loss. Multiple techniques were employed to successfully prevent VOSCC in this patient including a preoperative transfusion, meticulous haemostasis at osteotomy sites, not performing a costoplasty despite presence of a rib hump, maintenance of intraoperative mean arterial pressure below 70 mmHg, aggressive postoperative hydration and the use of intraoperative tranexamic acid (TXA).

Arenavirus Induced CCL5 Expression Causes NK Cell-Mediated Melanoma Regression.

Immune activation within the tumor microenvironment is one promising approach to induce tumor regression. Certain viruses including oncolytic viruses such as the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and non-oncolytic viruses such as the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) are potent tools to induce tumor-specific immune activation. However, not all tumor types respond to viro- and/or immunotherapy and mechanisms accounting for such differences remain to be defined.

Dead Cells Induce Innate Anergy via Mertk after Acute Viral Infection.

Infections can result in a temporarily restricted unresponsiveness of the innate immune response, thereby limiting pathogen control. Mechanisms of such unresponsiveness are well studied in lipopolysaccharide tolerance; however, whether mechanisms of tolerance limit innate immunity during virus infection remains unknown. Here, we find that infection with the highly cytopathic vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) leads to innate anergy for several days.

The Diverse Functions of the Ubiquitous Fcγ Receptors and Their Unique Constituent, FcRγ Subunit.

Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) are widely expressed on a variety of immune cells and play a myriad of regulatory roles in the immune system because of their structural diversity. Apart from their indispensable role in specific binding to the Fc portion of antibody subsets, FcγRs manifest diverse biological functions upon binding to their putative ligands. Examples of such manifestation include phagocytosis, presentation of antigens, mediation of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, anaphylactic reactions, and the promotion of apoptosis of T cells and natural killer cells.

Map3k14 as a Regulator of Innate and Adaptive Immune Response during Acute Viral Infection.

The replication of virus in secondary lymphoid organs is crucial for the activation of antigen-presenting cells. Balanced viral replication ensures the sufficient availability of antigens and production of cytokines, and both of which are needed for virus-specific immune activation and viral elimination. Host factors that regulate coordinated viral replication are not fully understood.

Tamoxifen Protects from Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Infection.

Background: Tamoxifen (TAM) is an estrogen-receptor antagonist, widely used in the adjuvant treatment of early stage estrogen-sensitive breast cancer. Several studies have revealed new biological targets of TAM that mediate the estrogen receptor independent activities of the drug. Recently, the antiviral activity of TAM on replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) in vitro was described.

NK cell-intrinsic FcεRIγ limits CD8+ T-cell expansion and thereby turns an acute into a chronic viral infection.

During viral infection, tight regulation of CD8+ T-cell functions determines the outcome of the disease. Recently, others and we determined that the natural killer (NK) cells kill hyperproliferative CD8+ T cells in the context of viral infection, but molecules that are involved in shaping the regulatory capability of NK cells remain virtually unknown. Here we used mice lacking the Fc-receptor common gamma chain (FcRγ, FcεRIγ, Fcer1g-/- mice) to determine the role of Fc-receptor and NK-receptor signaling in the process of CD8+ T-cell regulation.

Antibiograms, toxin profiling and molecular typing of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from two tertiary hospitals in Jordan.

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of hospital-associated infections. This study was undertaken to investigate toxin profiles as well as antibiotic resistance patterns of S. aureus isolates form two tertiary hospitals in Jordan.

A feasibility study of mobile phone text messaging to support education and management of type 2 diabetes in Iraq.

Background: We undertook a feasibility study to evaluate feasibility and utility of short message services (SMSs) to support Iraqi adults with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Subjects And Methods: Fifty patients from a teaching hospital clinic in Basrah in the first year after diagnosis were recruited to receive weekly SMSs relating to diabetes self-management over 29 weeks. Numbers of messages received, acceptability, cost, effect on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and diabetes knowledge were documented.

Hydatid disease of the spine: a report on nine patients.

Purpose: The author presents this prospective study of nine cases of pathologically confirmed spinal hydatid disease.

Method: Hydatid disease is a difficult diagnosis in non endemic areas but it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal pathology in endemic areas. Spinal involvement is very unusual.

Postoperative disc space infection after discectomy: a report on thirty-five patients.

Purpose: The focus of this study was to analyse the patient with disc space infection and the need for re-exploration.

Method: Thirty-five patients were analysed within the period from April 1992 and May 2011. The diagnosis was confirmed by the cardinal clinical features, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], raised C-reactive protein and MRI findings.

Health effects associated with geographical area of residence during the 1991 Gulf War: a comparative health study of Iraqi soldiers and civilians.

Context: Although Iraqis sustained the gravest exposure conditions during the 1991 Gulf War (GW), little is known about the possible relationship between environmental exposures during the GW and long-term health in Iraqis.

Objective: To study the relationship between distance from Kuwait during the GW and somatic health among Iraqi Soldiers vs civilians.

Methods: A survey questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 742 GW veterans and 413 civilians in Iraq.

Psychiatric aspects of orthopaedics.

Although psychiatric problems are seen less frequently than previously, the orthopaedic surgeon must remain aware of their possible effect. A high index of suspicion for the presence of psychiatric disorders is important in treating the orthopaedic patient with multiple trauma, chronic disease, factitious disorder, or suspected malingering or who fails to improve with recognized treatment. Recognition of a psychiatric problem should be part of preoperative planning in orthopaedic practice, and a formal psychiatric referral for diagnosis and treatment should be made for the patient with significant psychiatric involvement.