Escalating SARS-CoV-2 specific humoral immune response in rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy controls.

Background: Immunocompromised patients are at particular risk of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and previous findings suggest that the infection or vaccination induced immune response decreases over time. Our main goal was to investigate the SARS-CoV-2-specific immune response in rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy controls over prolonged time.

Methods: The SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral immune response was measured by Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) immunoassay, and antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (NCP) were also evaluated by Euroimmun enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test.

T cell immune response predicts survival in severely ill COVID-19 patients requiring venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support.

Introduction: There is a critical gap in understanding which SARS-CoV-2 patients would benefit most from venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) support. The potential role of a dysregulated immune response is still unclear in this patient population.

Objectives: To assess the potential predictive value of SARS-CoV-2 specific cellular and humoral immune responses for survival in critically ill COVID-19 patients requiring VV-ECMO.

Thyroid disturbances after COVID-19 and the effect of vaccination in children: a prospective tri-center registry analysis.

Rapidly evolving clinical data suggest that the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and vaccination against COVID-19 might be associated with thyroid disturbances. However, studies remain limited among the pediatric population. Our aim was to assess the prevalence and permanence of thyroid autoimmunity (TA) and dysfunction in children after an acute infection and its potential association with vaccination.

Factors influencing the SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination induced immune response in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: To investigate the factors that have significant impact on the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and vaccination induced immune response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Serological response was measured by quantifying anti-SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies, while the cell-mediated response was measured by a whole-blood test quantifying the interferon (IFN)-γ response to different SARS-CoV-2-specific domains.

Results: We prospectively enrolled 109 RA patients and 43 healthy controls.

Seroconversion after anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccinations among moderate-to-severe psoriatic patients receiving systemic biologicals-Prospective observational cohort study.

It is unclear whether biological antipsoriatic therapies affect seroconversion after messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based antisevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (anti-SARS-CoV-2) vaccinations. To assess antibody formation and the incidence of side effects after anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccinations in psoriatic patients receiving different biologicals compared to healthy controls. 102 moderate-to-severe psoriatic patients (56.

Comparison of virus neutralization activity and results of 10 different anti-SARS-CoV-2 serological tests in COVID-19 recovered plasma donors.

Serological testing is a tool to predict protection against later infection. This potential heavily relies on antibody levels showing acceptable agreement with gold standard virus neutralization tests. The aim of our study was to investigate diagnostic value of the available serological tests in terms of predicting virus neutralizing activity of serum samples drawn 5-7 weeks after onset of symptoms from 101 donors with a history of COVID-19.

[Diagnosis and treatment of paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome].

Összefoglaló. A SARS-CoV-2-fertőzés ritka gyermekkori szövődménye a sokszervi gyulladás, angol terminológiával paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS). Két vagy több szerv érintettségével járó, súlyos tünetekkel induló betegségről van szó, amelynek tünetei átfedést mutatnak a Kawasaki-betegséggel, a toxikus sokk szindrómával és a makrofágaktivációs szindrómával.

Relationship between leukocyte counts and large vessel occlusion in acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Neuroinflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and peripheral leukocyte counts have proved to be independent predictors of stroke severity and outcomes. Clinical significance of large vessel occlusion (LVO) in AIS is increasing, as these patients are potential candidates for endovascular thrombectomy and likely to have worse outcomes if not treated urgently. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between on admission leukocyte counts and the presence of LVO in the early phase of AIS.

Use of JAR-Based Analysis for Improvement of Product Acceptance: A Case Study on Flavored Kefirs.

A common question of dairy product developments is the possible success of the new product. Several publications reported successful results using just-about-right (JAR) scales; although there is some debate about their advantages/disadvantages. This study highlights the limitations and opportunities of JAR scales and penalty analysis of fruit flavored kefirs.

The relationship between hemorheological parameters and mortality in critically ill patients with and without sepsis.

Purpose: The prognostic scoring systems for mortality of intensive care patients estimate clinical outcome using several physiological and biochemical parameters. In altered hemodynamic conditions of critically ill patients, hemorheological variables may play a significant role in appropriate tissue perfusion. We investigated if hemorheological parameters are altered in critical status and if they could be markers of mortality.

Physical and psychological benefits of once-a-week Pilates exercises in young sedentary women: A 10-week longitudinal study.

Pilates exercises have several demonstrated physical and psychological benefits. To date, most research in this context was conducted with symptomatic or elderly people with few dependent measures. The current study examined the chronic or longitudinal effects of very low frequency, once a week, Pilates training on several physical and psychological measures, over a 10-week intervention, in young, healthy, and sedentary women.

Association of celiac disease and hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency. Screening patients with hereditary angioedema for celiac disease: is it worth the effort?

Objective: Hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency is a life-threatening condition, which manifests as edematous attacks involving subcutaneous tissues and/or the upper airway/gastrointestinal mucosa. Celiac disease is a gluten-sensitive small intestinal disorder that can lead to severe villous atrophy, malabsorption, and malignancy. Both hereditary angioedema and celiac disease may present with abdominal symptoms.

Exercise alters SIRT1, SIRT6, NAD and NAMPT levels in skeletal muscle of aged rats.

Silent information regulators are potent NAD(+)-dependent protein deacetylases, which have been shown to regulate gene silencing, muscle differentiation and DNA damage repair. Here, changes in the level and activity of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) in response to exercise in groups of young and old rats were studied. There was an age-related increase in SIRT1 level, while exercise training significantly increased the relative activity of SIRT1.

Serum beta2-microglobulin measured by immunonephelometry: expression patterns and reference intervals in healthy adults.

Background: Serum beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) has been established as a marker of disease activity in malignancies, autoimmune conditions and infections. Despite its important role in prognosis assessment and disease monitoring, relatively few studies are available on its expression in healthy individuals. Furthermore, interpretation of results is hampered by the variety in reference limits due to differences in methodology, sample population and statistics.

Voluntary exercise may engage proteasome function to benefit the brain after trauma.

Brain trauma is associated with long-term decrements in synaptic plasticity and cognitive function, which likely reside on the acute effects of the injury on protein structure and function. Based on the action of proteasome on protein synthesis and degradation we have examined the effects of brain injury on proteasome level/activity and the potential of exercise to interact with the effects of the injury. Exercise has a healing ability but its action on proteasome function is not understood.

Interaction of photosensitizers with liposomes containing unsaturated lipid.

Small unilamellar liposomes were made of dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine and dioleoyl-phosphatidylcholine, and photosensitized by a symmetrically or an asymmetrically substituted glycosilated tetraphenyl-porphyrin derivative. As differential scanning calorimetry and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) revealed these porphyrin derivatives were localized in different depth within the lipid bilayer. Both porphyrin derivatives were able to induce photoreaction and consequent structural changes in the membrane.

The effects of training and detraining on memory, neurotrophins and oxidative stress markers in rat brain.

In the current investigation we tested how swimming training (T) (8 week, 5 times/week, 2 h/day), and detraining (DT) affects brain functions and oxidative stress markers in rat brain. The free radical concentration, measured by electron paramagnetic resonance, decreased in brain of T and DT rats compared to controls (C). The level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) increased as a result of training, but decreased below the control level after 6 weeks of detraining.

Interaction of tetraphenyl-porphyrin derivatives with DPPC-liposomes: an EPR study.

The effect of the symmetry and polarity of the porphyrin molecules on their membrane localization and interaction with membrane lipids were investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). For this purpose, two glycoconjugated tetraphenyl porphyrin derivatives were selected, respectively, symmetrically and asymmetrically substituted. Small unilamellar liposomes composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and spin labeled stearic acids were prepared.

Effect of UVA radiation on membrane fluidity and radical decay in human fibroblasts as detected by spin labeled stearic acids.

The ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation component of sunlight (320-400 nm) has been shown to be a source of oxidative stress to cells via generation of reactive oxygen species. We report here some consequences of the UVA irradiation on cell membranes detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Paramagnetic nitroxide derivatives of stearic acid bearing the monitoring group at different depths in the hydrocarbon chain were incorporated into human fibroblasts membranes to analyze two main characteristics: kinetics of the nitroxide reduction and membrane fluidity.

[Investigation of the mechanism of cell membrane-active cyclic lipodepsipeptides compounds].

The cyclic lipodepsipeptides produced by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae possess fungicide properties. They inhibit much of the cell functions, presumably on the basis of their pore-forming activity.

Molecular dynamics of the cyclic lipodepsipeptides' action on model membranes: effects of syringopeptin22A, syringomycin E, and syringotoxin studied by EPR technique.

Interaction of pore-forming toxins, syringopeptin22A (SP22A), syringomycin E (SRE) and syringotoxin (ST), with model membranes were investigated. Liposomes were prepared from saturated phospholipids (DPPC or DMPC) or from binary mixtures of DPPC with varying amount of DOPC or cholesterol. The effects of the three toxins on the molecular order and dynamics of the lipids were studied using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques.

Syringotoxin pore formation and inactivation in human red blood cell and model bilayer lipid membranes.

The effect of syringotoxin (ST), a member of the cyclic lipodepsipeptides family (CLPs) produced by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae on the membrane permeability of human red blood cells (RBCs) and model bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) was studied and compared to that of two recently investigated CLPs, syringomycin E (SRE) and syringopeptin 22A (SP22A) [Biochim. Biophys.