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Immunology 2019 Jan;156(1):1-2

Department of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.

Respiratory immunology poses the dual questions of how to grapple with lung infection as one of the greatest unmet global health needs of our time, while also dealing with the growing challenge posed by chronic diseases of excessive or inappropriate lung inflammation and immunity, such as chronic obstructive lung disease and asthma. These separate branches of pulmonary research are linked by the clear observation that, in a tissue as fragile as the lung, protection from microbial attack may come at the cost of chronic inflammatory damage. A number of recent studies have considered specific aspects of this double-edged sword, including the diversity of responses to fungal exposure, sources and consequences of interleukin-17 immunity, and the role of tertiary lymphoid follicles in the lung. Read More

Semin Neurol 2018 Dec 6;38(6):608-618. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Neurology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.

Migraine and tension-type headache (TTH) are common primary disorders that carry significant morbidity and socioeconomic effect. In this article, we will review the epidemiology, presentation, and diagnosis of these disorders. First-line acute treatment for migraine consists of analgesics, triptans, and antiemetics, while nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the mainstay treatment for TTH. Read More

Blood Purif 2018 Dec 6:1-7. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplant, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy.

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition often associated with a high incidence of multiple organs injury. Several papers suggested the immune response by itself, with the production of humoral inflammatory mediators, is crucial in determining organ injury. However, little is known of how sepsis directly induces organ injury at the cellular levels. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2018 Nov 22;54:51-54. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Department of Surgery, Epworth Health, Melbourne Australia; Gastrointestinal Clinical Institute, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne Australia.

Introduction: There is a known association between Clostridium Septicum, mycotic aneurysm and colon neoplasm.

Case Presentation: We report the case of a 90 year old female admitted with abdominal pain to the general surgery unit. Admission CT scan demonstrated a thick walled caecum and pericaecal inflammation suspicious for a perforated carcinoma. Read More

J Pharm Biomed Anal 2018 Nov 24;165:101-111. Epub 2018 Nov 24.

School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Although major adverse effects associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are gastric injury, assessment of NSAIDs-induced gastrointestinal adverse effects is mostly dependent on endoscopy due to the lack of plasma biomarkers. Several amino acids associated with collagenase activity and gastric mucosal mass have been suggested as plasma biomarker candidates for gastric injury. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the plasma biomarker candidates, i. Read More

Domest Anim Endocrinol 2018 Nov 3;67:1-10. Epub 2018 Nov 3.

Department of Morphology and Function, CIISA- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.

Prostaglandin E (PGE) has contradictory effects in many organs. It may have proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory, or anti-fibrotic roles, depending on the type of receptors to which it binds. By signaling through its receptors EP2 and EP4, PGE mediates anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic actions. Read More

Fish Shellfish Immunol 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, PR China.

CC chemokines are a large subfamily of chemokines that play an important role in the innate immune system. To date, several CC chemokines have been identified in fish species; however, the activities and functions of these putative chemokines remain ambiguous in teleosts, especially in the golden pompano, Trachinotus ovatus. Here, we characterized CC chemokine ligand 4 from T. Read More

Int Immunopharmacol 2018 Dec 3;66:354-361. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Orthopaedics, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, China. Electronic address:

Background: Osteoarthritis is an age-related disorder of bone-joint that causes pain and disability in middle and older people. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) THRIL on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced osteoarthritis cell injury model (ATDC5 cell inflammatory injury), as well as the possible internal molecular mechanisms.

Methods: Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed using CCK-8 assay and Guava Nexin assay, respectively. Read More

Int Immunopharmacol 2018 Dec 3;66:347-353. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of orthopedics, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian 116001, China. Electronic address:

Ivabradine is most commonly used for the treatment of worsening cardiac failure in patients who cannot tolerate the maximum dose of β-blockers or in whom treatment with β-blockers is contraindicated. While ivabradine is regarded as a highly selective "funny current" (I) inhibitor, the molecular mechanism behind the effect of this drug remains poorly understood. In the present study, we applied ivabradine in the context of osteoarthritis by treating primary human chondrocytes with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and measuring degradation of the articular cartilage matrix as well as the expression of various enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Read More

Int Immunopharmacol 2018 Dec 3;66:336-346. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524001, China. Electronic address:

Acute lung injury (ALI), which is mainly triggered by infection, pneumonia, vasculitis, and sepsis, has no specific and effective therapy except for primary supportive treatment or bedside care. Excessive inflammation caused by innate immune cells is the major characteristic of ALI. Forsythoside B, a phenylethanoside compound, possesses good antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties in vivo and in vitro. Read More

Int J Surg 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Xenotransplantation Program, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA. Electronic address:

Background: There is well-documented systemic inflammatory response in xenograft recipients to the presence of a pig graft. Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an inflammatory marker that is elevated in various pathological states. The assay used to measure it is (i) simple, (ii) relatively inexpensive, and (iii) provides an answer within minutes. Read More

Ann Anat 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Management of diabetic wounds remains a major challenge in the medical field, mostly due to incompetent outcomes of treatments. Curcumin has been documented as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antineoplastic agent in addition to wound healing activities. However, its poor aqueous solubility and impaired skin permeation handicap its topical pharmaceutical usage. Read More

Neurosci Lett 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jing Wu Road, Huaiyin District, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. Electronic address:

Objective: Autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) is a group of inflammatory disorders of the brain. The severity of AIE vary among individuals and it is always a challenge to predict. In this study, we measured the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a novel potential biomarker of inflammatory status in other inflammatory diseases, in AIE patients and evaluated NLR as a biomarker for monitoring AIE progression. Read More

Neurosci Lett 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Electronic address:

Although the etiology of Bipolar Disorder (BD) remains unknown, a strong genetic component to the pathogenesis and risk for this disorder has been widely hypothesized. Several risk genes for BD have been identified; of these, the purinergic P2 × 7 receptor (P2 × 7R) constitutes a pro-inflammatory receptor and a potential risk gene candidate. The purpose of the present study was to assess the frequency of the 1513 A > C P2RX7 polymorphism (rs3751143; Glu496Ala), which leads to receptor loss-of-function, in 154 BD patients versus 184 control subjects. Read More

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Lipids and Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Disorders (CIBERDEM), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain. Electronic address:

Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the physical and functional interplay between fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) and its membrane receptor-like candidate protein, cytokeratin 1 (CK1), and to determine the effect of hindering CK1-mediated FABP4 cellular uptake on non-disturbed or metabolically stressed endothelial cells.

Methods: We monitored the direct interaction between FABP4 and CK1 using surface plasmon resonance, and the effects of blocking exogenous FABP4 (eFABP4) cellular uptake were determined by using specific siRNA to knock down the expression of CK1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The expression and nuclear translocation of transcription factors involved in oxidative stress (NRF2) and inflammation (p65 subunit of NF-ĸB transcription factor) were determined by Western blotting analysis. Read More

Int J Biol Macromol 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Portugal, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.

In this study, fucoidan/chitosan nanoparticles were developed for the topical delivery of methotrexate towards the treatment of skin-related inflammatory diseases. Based on the fucoidan/chitosan (F/C) weight ratio, three different nanoparticles (1F/1C; 3F/1C; 5F/1C) were produced and characterized. Methotrexate was loaded in these polymeric nanoparticles achieving a drug loading of ca. Read More

Pharmacol Ther 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Institute of Physical Activity Sciences and Sports, Cruzeiro do Sul University, Sao Paulo, Brazil,; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil;. Electronic address:

Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome that develops during malignant tumor growth. Changes in plasma levels of several hormones and inflammatory factors result in an intense catabolic state, decreased activity of anabolic pathways, anorexia, and marked weight loss, leading to cachexia development and/or accentuation. Inflammatory mediators appear to be related to the control of a highly regulated process of muscle protein degradation that accelerates the process of cachexia. Read More

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and SUSTech-HKU Joint Laboratories for Matrix Biology and Diseases, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China. Electronic address:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a long-term consequence of chronic inflammatory liver injury. Hepatic injury is associated with a defective intestinal barrier and increased hepatic exposure to bacterial products including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which promotes hepatocarcinogenesis. Despite its clinical significance, the molecular mediator linking chronic inflammation with HCC development remains to be clarified. Read More

Life Sci 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Center for Transdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Waikato Institute of Technology, Wintec Private Bag, Waikato Mail Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand.

Aim: The present study was designed to examine the role of alpha-pinene (AP) against skin photoaging in UVA-irradiated mice.

Materials And Methods: Swiss albino mice were subjected to UVA-irradiation at the rate of 10 J/cm per day for ten days, totally mouse received 100 J/cm. One hour prior to each UVA-exposure, the mouse skin was topically treated with AP (100 mg kg/b·wt). Read More

Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

R.C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Shirpur, Dhule, 425405, India.

Zizyphus jujuba Mill, a famous oriental traditional medicine, has been reported to exhibit diverse activities in biological systems including the respiratory system. However, a little information is available on its antiasthmatic activity. Jujuboside B (JB) is a natural saponin and one of the active constituent of fruits of Zizyphus jujuba. Read More

J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

The arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (ALOX5) pathway has been implicated in chronic inflammatory disease which may be influenced by vitamin D due to vitamin D response elements (VDRE). We investigated an ALOX5 polymorphism (rs4987105) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the in vitro effects of calcitriol (1,25(OH)D) on ALOX5 metabolism in monocytes of T2D patients and healthy controls (HC). 533 T2D and 473 HC were genotyped for the rs4987105 polymorphism. Read More

Antiviral Res 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States; Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States; Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Logan, UT, United States. Electronic address:

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a non-polio enterovirus that affects the respiratory system and can cause serious complications, especially in children and older people with weakened immune systems. As an emerging virus, there are no current antiviral therapies or vaccines available. Our goal was to develop a mouse model of human EV-D68 infection that mimicked the disease observed in humans and could be used for evaluation of experimental therapeutics. Read More

Clin Chim Acta 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Expert Center Clinical Chemistry Eindhoven, Eindhoven, the Netherlands; Clinical Laboratory, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, the Netherlands.

Treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases and rheumatic disorders with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) drugs is expensive, while a significant proportion of patients does not show adequate clinical response. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) enables patient-specific anti-TNFα therapy. The role of laboratory tests in clinical care has recently been described in a value proposition framework. Read More

Exp Mol Pathol 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Universidade Luterana do Brasil - ULBRA - Graduate Program in Genetics and Applied Toxicology, Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Universidade Luterana do Brasil - ULBRA - Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology Applied to Health, Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS - Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Universidade Luterana do Brasil - Laboratory of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants, Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre - HCPA - Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Electronic address:

In recent decades, the number of people who practice sports has grown exponentially, increasing the number of muscular injuries. Trauma injury occurs when the muscle is exposed to a sudden compression force. Melatonin (MLT) has often been cited in the literature as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Read More

Exp Neurol 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Cellular Neurobiology Laboratories, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.

Ischemic stroke is an acute neurodegenerative disease that is extremely devastating to patients, their families and society. Stroke is inadequately treated even with endovascular procedures and reperfusion therapy. Using an extensive translational screening process, we have developed a pleiotropic cytoprotective agent with the potential to positively impact a large population of brain ischemia patients and revolutionize the process used for the development of new drugs to treat complex brain disorders. Read More

Arch Biochem Biophys 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA. Electronic address:

Mitochondria are capable of detecting cellular insults and orchestrating inflammatory responses. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) are intermediates that trigger inflammatory signaling cascade in response to our newly proposed conditional DAMP (damage associated molecular patterns). We recently reported that increased proton leak regulates mtROS generation and thereby exert physiological and pathological activation of endothelial cells. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018 Dec 2;12:CD011215. Epub 2018 Dec 2.

School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Beom-eu, Meulgeum, Yangsan, Korea, South, 626-870.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a compressive neuropathic disorder at the level of the wrist. Acupuncture and other methods that stimulate acupuncture points, such as electroacupuncture, auricular acupuncture, laser acupuncture, moxibustion, and acupressure, are used in treating CTS. Acupuncture has been recommended as a potentially useful treatment for CTS, but its effectiveness remains uncertain. Read More

PLoS One 2018 6;13(12):e0208321. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America.

Increased proinflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels are associated with acquired long QT-syndrome (LQTS) in patients with systemic inflammation, leading to higher risks for life-threatening polymorphic ventricular tachycardia such as Torsades de Pointes. However, the functional and molecular mechanisms of this association are not known. In most cases of acquired LQTS, the target ion channel is the human ether-á-go-go-related gene (hERG) encoding the rapid component of the delayed rectifier K current, IKr, which plays a critical role in cardiac repolarization. Read More

PLoS One 2018 6;13(12):e0208426. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Division of Vascular Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States of America.

Background: The microbiome has a functional role in a number of inflammatory processes and disease states. While neointimal hyperplasia development has been linked to inflammation, a direct role of the microbiota in neointimal hyperplasia has not yet been established. Germ-free (GF) mice are an invaluable model for studying causative links between commensal organisms and the host. Read More

Rom J Intern Med 2018 Dec;56(4):257-264

Kharkiv National Medic University, Nauky Ave., Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Introduction: Obesity is becoming one of the leading risk factors of coronary heart disease, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease. Despite the presence of a large number of antihypertensive agents and scientific substantiation of antihypertensive treatment principles it would be wrong to assume that the problem is completely solved. Development of endothelial dysfunction is one of the key pathogenic mechanisms in hypertension. Read More

FASEB J 2018 Dec 6:fj201801845R. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA; and.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-mediated immunomodulation affects both innate and adaptive immune systems. These responses to environmental cues, such as pathogen-associated molecular patterns, damage-associated molecular patterns, or proinflammatory cytokines, are crucial for resolution of inflammation, as well as successful tissue healing and regeneration. We observed that intermittent, repeated exposure of MSCs to LPS induced stronger NF-κB activation than singular stimulation. Read More

FASEB J 2018 Dec 6:fj201800440RR. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) translocate nucleosides and nucleobases across plasma membranes, as well as a variety of anti-cancer, -viral, and -parasite nucleoside analogs. They are also key members of the purinome complex and regulate the protective and anti-inflammatory effects of adenosine. Despite their important role, little is known about the mechanisms involved in their regulation. Read More

FASEB J 2018 Dec 6:fj201800981R. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

As mechanisms controlling redox homeostasis become impaired with aging, exaggerated oxidant stress may cause disproportional oxidation of cell membranes and circulating phospholipids (PLs), leading to the formation of truncated oxidized PL products (Tr-OxPLs), which exhibit deleterious effects. This study investigated the role of elevated Tr-OxPLs as a factor exacerbating inflammation and lung barrier dysfunction in an animal model of aging. Mass spectrometry analysis of Tr-OxPL species in young (2-4 mo) and aging (18-24 mo) mice revealed elevated basal levels of several products [1-palmitoyl-2-(5-oxovaleroyl)- sn-glycero-phosphocholine (POVPC), 1-palmitoyl-2-glutaroyl- sn-glycero-phosphocholine, lysophosphocholine, 1-palmitoyl-2-(9-oxo-nonanoyl)- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, 1-palmitoyl-2-azelaoyl- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, O-1-O-palmitoyl-2-O-(5,8-dioxo-8-hydroxy-6-octenoyl)-l-glycero-3-phosphocholine, and others] in the aged lungs. Read More

Oral Dis 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Oral and Dental Disease Research Center, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Objectives: Galectin-3, a member of beta-galactoside-binding proteins, can be found in cytoplasm and nucleus as well as extracellularly in various tissues and involved in many physiological and pathological processes. We aimed to measure the serum levels of galectin-3 in oral lichen planus (OLP) disease and compare the result with that observed in healthy ones.

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the serum levels of galectin-3 were measured in 56 healthy individuals and 53 pathologically proven OLP patients including those with atrophic/erosive (33 cases) or reticular (20 cases) lesions, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Read More

J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104.

Based on the hypothesis that bioscaffold permeability is a major factor in determining the outcome of histologically complete and functional bladder regeneration, we evaluated regeneration processes of four-layer porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) construct; and compared results between rat bladders augmented with single-layer SIS bioscaffolds. Sprague-Dawley female rats were subjected to hemi-cystectomy followed by anastomosis of a patch of either single- or four-layer porcine SIS. Permeability was analyzed in situ using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at post-operative days 7 and 14. Read More

Mol Nutr Food Res 2018 Dec 6:e1800807. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Dr. X. Yan, Y.-L. Zhang, L. Zhang, L.-X. Zou, C. Chen, Prof. Y. Liu, Prof. Y.-L. Xia, Prof. H.-H. Li, Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China.

Scope: Gallic acid (GA) is a dietary phenolic acid found in tea, red wine, and some plants. It exhibits antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Recent studies have revealed that GA has beneficial effects against several cardiovascular diseases; however, whether GA attenuates pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Read More

Biofactors 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Laboratory of Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery, Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are linear, highly negatively charged carbohydrate chains present in connective tissues. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) and heparin (Hep) are also found in the numerous secretory granules of mast cells (MC), tissue immune cells involved in allergic and inflammatory reactions. CS and Hep may inhibit secretion of histamine from rat connective tissue MC, but their effect on human MC remains unknown. Read More

Biofactors 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Lung Inflammatory Diseases Research Center, Department of Physiology, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.

The present study aimed to investigate the role of microRNA-146a and its adapter proteins [interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)] in the pathogenesis of ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized rats in association with the diet-induced obesity condition. Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control with normal diet (ND), OVA-sensitized with normal diet (S + ND), high-fat diet (HFD), and OVA-sensitized with high-fat diet (S + HFD). All the animals were fed for 8 weeks with standard pelts or high-fat diet, and were then sensitized and challenged with OVA or saline for another 4 weeks. Read More

Int J Cancer 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA.

Inflammation and hyperinsulinemia may drive associations between adiposity and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, but few studies have examined this hypothesis using mediation analysis. We used inverse odds ratio weighting and logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for estimated total effects (OR ) of body mass index, waist circumference, and adult weight gain on CRC risk, and estimated effects operating through seven inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers (natural indirect effect; OR ) or through paths independent of these biomarkers (natural direct effect; OR ) among 209 CRC cases and 382 matched controls nested within the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, a prospective cohort of male health professionals. A one-interquartile range (IQR) increase in body mass index (3. Read More

Acta Derm Venereol 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University Munich, Biedersteinerstrasse 29, DE-80802 Munich, Germany.

Atopic eczema (AE) is one of the most common non-communicable inflammatory skin diseases, and has a huge socioeconomic impact. Studies on the everyday economic impact of AE on patients, however, are limited. To estimate the annual extra out-of-pocket spending due to AE among patients in Europe, a cross-sectional study using computer-assisted phone interviewing of patients with AE was performed in 9 European countries. Read More

Nephrol Dial Transplant 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Renal Medicine, University College London (UCL), London, UK.

Salt intake as part of a western diet currently exceeds recommended limits, and the small amount found in the natural diet enjoyed by our Paleolithic ancestors. Excess salt is associated with the development of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, but other adverse effects of excess salt intake are beginning to be recognized, including the development of autoimmune and inflammatory disease. Over the last decade there has been an increasing body of evidence demonstrating that salt affects multiple components of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Immunotherapy using antibodies to immune checkpoint molecules or targeted chimeric antigen receptor-modified T (CAR-T) cells represent dramatic advances in cancer treatment. These therapies mediate immune-related adverse events (irAEs) which may mimic or amplify infectious presentations. Checkpoint inhibitor therapy may be associated with diverse irAEs including mild skin, endocrine and autoimmune manifestations or severe inflammatory processes including colitis, pneumonitis, myocarditis, and shock. Read More

JAMA Oncol 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.

Importance: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, including the estrogen receptor (ER)-positive subtype in postmenopausal women. Whether excess adiposity is associated with increased risk in women with a normal body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) is unknown.

Objective: To investigate the association between body fat and breast cancer risk in women with normal BMI. Read More

J Crohns Colitis 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

IBD Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.

Intestinal fibrosis is an inevitable complication in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), occurring in its two major clinical manifestations: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Fibrosis represents the final outcome of the host reaction to persistent inflammation which triggers a prolonged wound healing response resulting in the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, eventually leading to intestinal dysfunction. The process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) represents an embryonic program relaunched during wound healing, fibrosis and cancer. Read More

Shock 2018 Jul 30. Epub 2018 Jul 30.

Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Medical Biology section.

Tie2 is a tyrosine kinase receptor that is mainly expressed by endothelial cells. In animal models mimicking critical illness, Tie2 levels in organs are temporarily reduced. Functional consequences of these reduced Tie2 levels on microvascular endothelial behaviour are unknown. Read More

Ugeskr Laeger 2018 Dec;180(49)

Recent studies have identified specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G4 antibodies against the paranodal proteins neurofascin 155 and contactin 1 in subgroups of patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). These patients present with distinct clinical phenotypes and poor response to first-line therapy with intravenous Ig. Detection of these antibodies in patients with CIDP has diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications. Read More