Caspase-1 activation, IL-1/IL-6 signature and IFNγ-induced chemokines in lungs of COVID-19 patients.

Rationale: COVID-19-associated acute-respiratory distress syndrome (C-ARDS) results from a direct viral injury associated with host excessive innate immune response mainly affecting the lungs. However, cytokine profile in the lung compartment of C-ARDS patients has not been widely studied, nor compared to non-COVID related ARDS (NC-ARDS).

Objectives: To evaluate caspase-1 activation, IL-1 signature, and other inflammatory cytokine pathways associated with tissue damage using post-mortem lung tissues, bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF), and serum across the spectrum of COVID-19 severity.

Suppression of MCP-1, IFN-γ and IL-6 production of HNSCC by pembrolizumab added to docetaxel and cisplatin (TP) exceeding those of TP alone is linked to improved survival.

Background: Adding pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody approved for treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) to neoadjuvant (induction-) chemotherapy utilizing docetaxel and cisplatin (TP) followed by radiotherapy may improve outcome in larynx organ-preservation (LOP) that is investigated in the European Larynx-Organ preservation Study (ELOS). As biomarkers for response to TP and pembrolizumab +TP are missing but may include cytokines, this work aims on determining cytokines potentially linked to outcome as prognostic markers sufficient to predict and/or monitor response to successful LOP.

Methods: Collagenase IV digests were generated from 47 histopathological confirmed HNSCC tumor samples and seeded in 96-well plates containing pembrolizumab, docetaxel, cisplatin either solely or in binary or ternary combination.

Spinal cord injury enhances lung inflammation and exacerbates immune response following exposure to LPS.

Introduction: The severity of spinal cord injury (SCI) is closely tied to pulmonary function, especially in cases of higher SCI levels. Despite this connection, the underlying pathological mechanisms in the lungs post-SCI are not well understood. Previous research has established a connection between disrupted sympathetic regulation and splenocyte apoptosis in high thoracic SCI, leading to pulmonary dysfunction.

Efficacy and Safety of a Novel Low-Dose Water-Dispersible Turmeric Extract in the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Purpose: Turmeric extract is a well-known nutraceutical ingredient recognized for its benefits in managing musculoskeletal health. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a novel low-dose water-dispersible turmeric extract containing 60% natural curcuminoids (WDTE60N) in participants with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis.

Patients And Methods: This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at two orthopedic centers in Uttar Pradesh, India (July 2023-November 2023).

Diagnostic Ability and Correlation of Digital C-Methionine PET/CT in Primary Hyperparathyroidism with Inconclusive Standard Imaging.

Purpose: C-Methionine PET/CT is a promising method for detecting parathyroid lesions in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). We aimed to determine the diagnostic ability and correlation of digital C-Methionine PET/CT for parathyroid lesions in patients with PHPT, particularly in cases where standard imaging methods yielded inconclusive results.

Methods: This retrospective analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with PHPT who underwent digital C-Methionine PET/CT imaging because of ambiguous results on standard imaging work-up (Tc-MIBI parathyroid scan and/or neck ultrasonography).

Comparative main effects, mediators, and moderators of cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and emotional awareness and expression therapy for chronic spinal pain: Randomized controlled trial rationale and protocol.

Background: Chronic spinal (back/neck) pain is common and costly. Psychosocial treatments are available but have modest effects. Knowledge of treatment mechanisms (mediators and moderators) can be used to enhance efficacy.

Case report: Tocilizumab for hypersensitivity reaction after oxaliplatin in a patient with NK/T-cell lymphoma.

Oxaliplatin-induced hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) are commonly encountered in first-line therapies for various malignancies. Recent research indicates that these reactions can include cytokine release reactions (CRRs), which are characterized by a marked increase in interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, sometimes rising as much as 40-fold. Standard management strategies for HSRs typically involve desensitization protocols and routine treatments.

Developing a Novel Integrative Health Equity and Anti-racism Tool (IHEART) for Pilot Application in a Multicenter Integrative Health Elective for Medical Students and Resident Physicians: A Study Protocol.

Background: This study protocol introduces the Integrative Health Equity and Anti-Racism Tool (IHEART), an innovative instrument designed to infuse equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into Integrative Health (IH) education. Recognizing the gaps in current IH training that fail to address social and systemic inequities adequately, the IHEART is intended to respond to the growing need for inclusivity in IH practices and educational materials. The tool is mainly focused on addressing issues such as accessibility of complementary and integrative health (CIH) therapies, cultural misappropriation, anti-racism, gender diversity, disability justice, trauma-informed care, weight inclusivity, and planetary health, which are currently inconsistently covered in IH training.

Prophylactic clemastine treatment improves influenza A virus-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice.

Respiratory infection by influenza A virus (IAV) is known to cause systemic inflammation, neuroinflammation, and cognitive impairment. We previously found that experimental infection with IAV affected oligodendrocyte homeostasis, which was associated with altered expression of genes involved in myelin maintenance as well as the lipidome. In this study, we sought to determine if clemastine, an antihistamine with myelin promoting properties, could reverse the effects of IAV on oligodendrocyte (OL) specific genes, as well as mitigate infection-induced cognitive impairment.

The potential role of interleukin-6 in the association between inflammation and cognitive performance in obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) represents one of the main molecules involved in inflammatory responses, which can be altered in either patients with cognitive impairment or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The present study aimed to evaluate serum IL-6 levels and cognitive performance in patients with severe OSA (Apnea-Hypopnea Index - AHI >30/h).

Methods: Thirty patients with severe OSA were compared to 15 controls similar in age, sex, and Body Mass Index.

Inflammation and cognitive performance in elite athletes: A cross-sectional study.

Functional cognition is relevant for athletic success and interdependent with physical exercise, yet despite repeatedly demonstrated inflammatory responses to physical training, there are no studies addressing the relationship between cognition and inflammation in athletes. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive performance and selected inflammatory, and further physiological biomarkers in elite athletes. Data from 350 elite athletes regarding cognitive performance (processing speed, selective attention, working memory, cognitive flexibility), systemic inflammatory markers, metabolic hormones, growth factors, tissue damage markers, and micronutrients (e.

The Potential Proallergenic Activity of and in vitro Studies.

Purpose: Allergic diseases have escalated to epidemic levels worldwide, impacting nearly 30% of the global population. Fungi are a significant source of allergens responsible for up to 6% of respiratory diseases in the general population. However, the specific cause of respiratory allergies often remains unidentified.

Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinase-3 Aggravates Neuroinflammatory Injury After Intracerebral Hemorrhage via Activation NF-κB/IL-17A Pathway in Mice.

Background: Neuroinflammatory reactions are crucial factors in secondary brain damage following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Although previous studies have shown that IRAK3 is involved in immune responses, the potential effects of IRAK3 on ICH remain unclear.

Methods: Collagenase IV-induced ICH mouse model.

Explorative Study of Modulatory Effects of Notochordal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles on the IL-1β-Induced Catabolic Cascade in Nucleus Pulposus Cell Pellets and Explants.

Background: Cell-free regenerative strategies, such as notochordal cell (NC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), are an attractive alternative in developing new therapies for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. NC-EVs have been reported to elicit matrix anabolic effects on nucleus pulposus cells from degenerated IVDs cultured under basal conditions. However, the degenerative process is exacerbated by pro-inflammatory cytokines contributing to the vicious degenerative cycle.

Integrated omics profiling of individual variations in intestinal damage to the soybean allergen in piglets.

Introduction: A small number of soybean allergens [including Glycinin (11S) and β-Conglycinin (7S)] in the commercially available corn-soybean meal diet can still cause allergy in some weaned piglets, which may be the result of the interaction of genetic, and nutrition, but the specific mechanism is still unclear.

Methods: In this study, 20 allergic piglets and 20 non-allergic piglets were selected from 92 weaned piglets by skin sensitization tests, which were used to examine the whole sequence genome. The indicators related to humoral and cellular immunity, transcriptomics, and metabolomics analysis were determined by randomly selecting 5 boars in the allergic group and non-allergic group and then performing a validation .

The dynamics of CD4+ T cell proliferation and regulation.

We use mathematical modeling to study the proliferation dynamics of CD4+ T cells within an immune response. This proliferation is driven by the autocrine reaction of helper T cells and interleukin-2 (IL-2), and regulated by natural regulatory T cells (nTregs). Previous studies suggested that a fratricidal mechanism is necessary to eliminate helper T cells post-infection.

Pulmonary and serum cytokine profiles of patients with anti-ARS and anti-MDA5 antibodies.

The present study aimed to determine the pulmonary cytokine profiles of patients with anti-RNA synthetase (ARS) and anti-melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) antibodies. The study included patients with ARS and MDA5 whose serum or bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) was available. Sandwich enzyme-linked immunoassay microarray multiplex assay was used to measure 18 cytokine levels in serum and BALF.

Positive STEPS: Enhancing Medication Adherence and Achieving Viral Load Suppression in Youth Living with HIV in the United States - Results from a Stepped-Care Randomized Controlled Efficacy Trial.

Background: In the U.S. and worldwide, there is a significant number of young people acquiring and living with HIV.

Gardnerella vaginalis-binding IgA in the urethra of sexually experienced males.

Background: Genital inflammation increases HIV susceptibility and is associated with the density of pro-inflammatory anaerobes in the vagina and coronal sulcus. The penile urethra is a critical site of HIV acquisition, although correlates of urethral HIV acquisition are largely unknown. While Streptococcus mitis is a consistent component of the urethral flora, the presence of Gardnerella vaginalis has been linked with prior penile-vaginal sex and urethral inflammation.

Effectively alleviate rheumatoid arthritis via maintaining redox balance, inducing macrophage repolarization and restoring homeostasis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes by metformin-derived carbon dots.

Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), elevated synovial inflammation, synovial hyperplasia and fibrosis are the main characteristic of microenvironment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Macrophages and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) play crucial roles in the progression of RA. Hence, synergistic combination of ROS scavenging, macrophage polarization from pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype towards M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype, and restoring homeostasis of FLSs will provide a promising therapeutic strategy for RA.

NLRP3: a key regulator of skin wound healing and macrophage-fibroblast interactions in mice.

Wound healing is a highly coordinated process driven by intricate molecular signaling and dynamic interactions between diverse cell types. Nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) has been implicated in the regulation of inflammation and tissue repair; however, its specific role in skin wound healing remains unclear. This study highlights the pivotal role of NLRP3 in effective skin wound healing, as demonstrated by delayed wound closure and altered cellular and molecular responses in NLRP3-deficient (NLRP3) mice.

λ-cyhalothrin induced sex-specific inflammation, glia activation and GABAergic interneuron disruption in the hippocampus of rats.

Background: Glia mediated neuroinflammation and degeneration of inhibitory GABAergic interneurons are some of the hall marks of pyrethroid neurotoxicity. Here we investigated the sex specific responses of inflammatory cytokines, microglia, astrocyte and parvalbumin positive inhibitory GABAergic interneurons to λ-cyhalothrin (LCT) exposures in rats.

Methods: Equal numbers of male and female rats were given oral corn oil, 2 mg/kg.

Ulinastatin treatment mitigates glycocalyx degradation and associated with lower postoperative delirium risk in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a multicentre observational study.

Background: Ulinastatin (UTI), recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties, holds promise for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between intraoperative UTI administration and the incidence of delirium following cardiac surgery.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on a retrospective cohort of 6,522 adult cardiac surgery patients to evaluate the relationship between UTI treatment and the incident of postoperative delirium (POD) in patients ongoing cardiac surgery.

Glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists and cardiometabolic protection: historical development and future challenges.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have revolutionized the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases, extending their therapeutic applications far beyond glycemic control in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. This editorial synthesizes key milestones, from the discovery of GLP-1 to recent clinical trials highlighting the pleiotropic effects of GLP-1RAs in addressing the interconnected spectrum of cardiometabolic conditions, with a focus on cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic benefits. In addition, as GLP-1RAs continue to reshape the management of cardiometabolic disease and global public health, we discuss future challenges to better elucidate their mechanisms of cardiometabolic protection and maximize their therapeutic potential.