International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology最新文献

Introduction: Dry eye is a common ocular condition causing discomfort and visual disturbances. Anti-inflammatory agents like Cyclosporine A (CsA) are often used in its treatment. However, the impact of CsA on ocular flora remains understudied. This research aimed to evaluate changes in conjunctival and nasal microflora in patients receiving topical cyclosporine for dry eye. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, conjunctival and nasal samples were collected from two groups of dry eye patients. Group 1 consisted of 38 patients using CsA eye drops, while Group 2 included 34 patients using preservative-free artificial tear drops. Bacterial cultures were grown from the samples, and the identified organisms underwent antibiotic susceptibility testing. Additionally, alpha diversity metrics were employed to assess the diversity of bacterial species in the samples. Results: Bacterial growth was observed in 75% of conjunctival samples and 97.22% of nasal samples. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the predominant organism in both groups. Alpha diversity analysis showed no significant differences in Shannon diversity and OTU richness between the groups for most bacterial species. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed no substantial variations in resistance patterns between the groups. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the impact of CsA eye drops on conjunctival and nasal flora in dry eye patients. The findings suggest that CsA does not significantly influence the composition, diversity, or antibiotic resistance patterns of ocular flora. Long-term topical cyclosporine treatment for dry eye does not significantly impact conjunctival microflora or lead to antibiotic resistance. These results have important implications for the safe use of CsA in patients undergoing ocular treatments, particularly those at risk of intraocular infections.

Background: One of the most common long-term neurological disorders affecting children is epilepsy. Even with effective antiseizure medications, one-third of epileptic patients develop drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Numerous treatments have been offered to these DRE patients, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics in improving the quality of life (QoL) and lowering the severity and frequency of epileptic episodes in DRE patients. As well as to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of probiotics.

Methods: DRE patients were daily supplemented with one probiotic for 4 months. During these 4 months, patients continued their routine anti-epileptics with no change in the doses. Before and following the 4-month trial, patients had their QoL evaluated using the validated Arabic version of QoL in epilepsy-31 inventory (QoLIE-31) questionnaire, an electroencephalogram (EEG) examination, and serum soluble CD14 (sCD14) evaluation by ELISA.

Results: Of the 21 DRE patients who completed the study, 42.9% achieved the therapeutic goal, which was a ≥50% reduction in seizures. After probiotic, there was a significant increase in time elapsed since the last seizure (p = 0.001) and a decrease in seizure duration (p = 0.038), frequency (p = 0.002), and severity by Chalfont Seizure Severity Score (p < 0.001), as compared to pre-probiotic data. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in serum levels of sCD14 (p < 0.001) and a significant improvement in QoL (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Probiotics may be used as a DRE adjuvant treatment. They can lessen the number and severity of seizures, alleviate the associated inflammation, and enhance the QoL for DRE patients.

We aimed to evaluate the expression profiles of five circulating lncRNAs (HOTAIR, MALAT-1, XIST, SNHG15, and H19) in DLBCL patients and explore potential associations between their expression and different clinicopathological features. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), exhibits marked genetic and clinical heterogeneity, emphasizing the need for improved tools for risk stratification. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) emerged as regulators in different cellular processes and have been linked to cancer pathogenesis. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to evaluate lncRNA expression in the plasma of 65 newly diagnosed adult DLBCL patients and 30 age-matched controls. HOTAIR expression was significantly elevated in DLBCL patients, while SNHG15 was significantly downregulated. Interestingly, both HOTAIR and SNHG15 demonstrated robust discriminatory power between DLBCL and healthy individuals, achieving area under the curve (AUC) values of 69% and 71%, respectively. H19 expression displayed a significant association with early-stage (stage I) DLBCL. While upregulated HOTAIR was a significant independent predictor of poor prognosis, high SNHG15 expression appeared to have a protective effect on mortality rates. Our findings suggest that circulating lncRNA expression patterns are promising tools as non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosis of DLBCL. Specific lncRNAs, such as HOTAIR, SNHG15, and H19, could offer potential for disease staging and patient prognosis. Long-term follow-up studies are recommended to further elucidate the interplay between these lncRNAs and survival rates, as well as their interactions with other genetic and pathological features of DLBCL.

Background: Typically, lymphatic tissue proliferative lesions include either benign lesions or lymphoma. However, not all lymphatic lesions can currently be accurately classified into one category, particularly in mucosal areas that are in contact with the external environment.Aims: To explore the morphology, immunophenotype, and molecular changes of Non-neoplastic B-cell predominant lymphoid proliferations (NBPLP) in pathological areas that are exposed to external surroundings which mimicked lymphoma.Methods and Results: 18 cases of Atypical lymphoid hyperplasia (AtLP)  were retrieved in this study. The biopsy samples were mucosal samples obtained from areas exposed to external surroundings, including intestines, urethra, cervix, tonsils, and tongue. Microscopically, there is a different level of B cell hyperplasia accompanied by morphological atypia. We categorized the morphology into 4 groups: type A (7/18), type B (3/18), type C (3/18), type D (5/18). Part of the AtLP was found positive for BCR gene rearrangement (6/15), and TCR gene rearrangement (1/4). The follow-up period ranged from 14.2 to 70 months. No evidence of lymphoma was found. Therefore, we diagnosed all of the presented cases as NBPLP. We illustrated the key differential points and provided valuable diagnostic experience on each subtype.Conclusions: Areas exposed to the external environment are commonly exposed to antigen and easily present with AtLP of NBPLP, accompanying with positive IGH rearrangement. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation of macroscopic, morphology, immunophenotype, and molecular diagnostics is required to prevent the overdiagnosis of lymphoma.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the potential correlation between specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (TYK2, IFITM3, IFNAR2, and OAS3 variants) and the severity of COVID-19 in Moroccan patients.

Methods: A genetic analysis was conducted on 109 patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in Morocco. Among these patients, 46% were hospitalized in the intensive care unit, while 59% were not hospitalized. Importantly, all patients lacked known risk factors associated with COVID-19 severity. Genotyping was performed to identify variations in TYK2 rs74956615, IFITM3 rs12252, IFNAR2 rs2236757, and OAS3 rs10735079. Statistical analysis was applied using codominant, dominant and recessive logistic regression models to assess correlations with COVID-19 severity.

Results: Our findings revealed no significant correlation between TYK2 rs74956615, IFITM3 rs12252, IFNAR2 rs2236757, and OAS3 rs10735079 with COVID-19 severity in Moroccan patients, as indicated in logistic regression models (p > .05). Interestingly, these results may offer insights into the mitigated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the reduced severity observed in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients in Morocco. Age, however, exhibited a significant correlation with severity (p < .001), with a trend towards increased likelihood of ICU admission with advancing age. Additionally, In the severe group, a higher proportion of patients were females (54%), indicating a statistically significant correlation with disease severity (p = .04). Nevertheless, female ICU patients aged above 60 years accounted for 37%, compared to 17% for males.

Conclusion: This study underscores the absence of a genetic association between the selected polymorphisms and COVID-19 severity in Moroccan patients. Advanced age emerges as the primary factor influencing the severity of COVID-19 patients without comorbidities. We recommend setting the threshold for advanced age at 60 years as a risk factor for severe forms of COVID-19.

Background: A shorter treatment duration potentially offers the advantage of reducing adverse events (AEs) and enhancing patient compliance for Helicobacter pylori eradication. However, the difference in eradication rates between short-duration vonoprazan-based regimens and fourteen-day proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based therapy remained unknown. Objective: This meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of ten-day vonoprazan-based regimens with fourteen-day conventional PPI-based therapy for H. pylori eradication. Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search up to November 28, 2023, using PubMed. A random-effects model was applied to conduct a meta-analysis to determine the pooled Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: This meta-analysis included four randomized controlled clinical trials with 1560 patients. The H. pylori eradication rate of ten-day vonoprazan-based regimens was comparable to that of fourteen-day PPI-based therapy (88.7% vs 82.9%, OR 1.53, 95% CI [0.85-2.75], p = .16) in ITT analysis. The incidence of AEs in ten-day vonoprazan-based therapy was also similar to the control group (11.2% vs 17.6%, OR 0.66, 95% CI [0.33-1.31], p = .24). Conclusion: Current evidence suggests that the ten-day vonoprazan-based regimen is as effective as fourteen-day PPI-based therapy in eradicating H. pylori, with comparable AEs. However, additional research is required for confirmation.

Objective: We aimed to explore the role of structural maintenance of chromosomes 4 (SMC4) in malignant progression and immunology of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD).

Methods: The expression, genetic and protein features, and immune cell infiltration of SMC4 in pan-cancer were provided by public databases and websites. The protein expression of SMC4 in COAD tissues was screened by immunohistochemical assay. Si-RNA-mediated transfection was performed in COAD cells and the proliferation viability was measured using MTT, colony formation and EdU assays. Cell autophagy was detected by AO staining, western blots, and immunofluorescence staining. The migratory ability was determined using scratch and transwell assays. The expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and transcriptional factors were detected using western blots.

Results: The expression of SMC4 was upregulated in pan-cancer and had relationships with prognosis, TMB, and MSI of cancer patients. Particularly, SMC4 protein was highly expressed in COAD tissues and correlated with poor prognosis of patients. Depletion of SMC4 inhibited cell proliferation, induced autophagy, and decreased migration through EMT progression in COAD cells. In addition, SMC4 was associated with infiltration of neutrophils, M2 macrophages, and CD4 + T cells in COAD, and had positive association with M2 macrophage markers and immune checkpoints.

Conclusion: SMC4 was correlated with patients' poor prognosis, proliferation, metastasis, and immune cell infiltrates, and might function as a potential diagnosis and prognostic biomarker in COAD.

The impact of interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene promoter polymorphisms (SNPs) on treatment response in HCV patients was dissimilarly estimated. Hence, the aim of this meta-analysis was to robustly assess the effect of IL-10 SNPs on treatment response in HCV patients. An electronic literature search was carried out through PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science, and Scopus databases. Studies assessing the association between IL-10 polymorphisms and treatment response in HCV patients were included. Studies were excluded if genotype frequencies are not consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) or in case of including patients with hepatitis B virus coinfection. Risk of bias in included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analyses were performed for the influence of IL-10 gene promoter SNPs (rs1800896 (-1082 A/G), rs1800871 (-819 C/T), and rs1800872 (-592 C/T)) and haplotypes on treatment response in HCV patients. Subgroup analyses, meta-regressions, publication bias assessment, and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Overall, 32 studies with a total of 5943 HCV cases and 2697 controls were included in the present study. The -1082*G allele was significantly associated with increased risk of non-response (NR) to treatment, OR [95% CI] = 1.29 [1.1-1.51], p = .002. Besides, the rs1800872 -592*C allele was significantly associated with increased NR risk, OR [95% CI] = 1.22 [1.02-1.46], p = .03. Subgroup analysis showed that this association remained significant only in patients treated with PEG-IFN alone, p = .01. The -1082*G/-819*C/-592*C (GCC) haplotype was significantly associated with increased NR risk, OR [95% CI] = 1.62 [1.13-2.23], p = .009. Our results suggest that the IL-10 rs1800896 was associated with NR risk especially in North-African and Asian populations. Moreover, the IL-10 gene promoter -1082*G/-819*C/-592*C (GCC) haplotype which has been associated with higher production of IL-10, was significantly associated with increased NR risk.