scholarly journals Cytometric analysis of patients with COVID-19: what is changed in the second wave?

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Scalia ◽  
Maddalena Raia ◽  
Monica Gelzo ◽  
Sara Cacciapuoti ◽  
Annunziata De Rosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Regulatory Cells ◽  
Lymphocyte Subpopulations ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Large Set ◽  
T Helper ◽  
Th 17 ◽  
Advanced Stages ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Second Wave ◽  
Human Specific

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a 1st wave in Europe from March to May 2020 and a 2nd wave since September 2020. We previously studied 35 hospitalized COVID-19 patients of the 1st wave demonstrating a cytokine storm and the exhaustion of most lymphocyte subpopulations. Herein, we describe the results obtained from COVID-19 patients of the 2nd wave. Methods We analyzed interleukin (IL)-6 by human-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a large set of lymphocyte subpopulations by flow cytometry in 274 COVID-19 patients hospitalized from September 2020 to May 2021. Results Patients of 2nd wave compared with those of 1st wave showed lower serum IL-6 levels and a higher number of B and most T lymphocyte subpopulations in advanced stages, in relation with the age and the gender. On the other hand, we observed in 2nd wave patients: (i) a reduction of most lymphocyte subpopulations at mild and moderate stages; (ii) a reduction of natural killer cells and T regulatory cells together with a higher number of activated T helper (TH) 17 lymphocytes in all stages, which were mainly related to steroid and azithromycin therapies before hospitalization. Conclusions COVID-19 had a less severe impact in patients of the 2nd wave in advanced stages, while the impact appeared more severe in patients of mild and moderate stages, as compared with 1st wave patients. This finding suggests that in COVID-19 patients with milder expression at diagnosis, steroid and azithromycin therapies appear to worsen the immune response against the virus. Furthermore, the cytometric profile may help to drive targeted therapies by monoclonal antibodies to modulate specific IL/lymphocyte inhibition or activation in COVID-19 patients.

The role of T helper 17 cells in Helicobacter pylori associated chronic gastritis

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 119-126
Author(s):  
Hanan E. Alrashidi ◽  
Safaa M. EL-Ageery ◽  
Iman M. Fawzy ◽  
Ahmad Bahy-Eldeen ◽  
Rasha Mahmoud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Chronic Gastritis ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Case Group ◽  
T Helper ◽  
T Helper 17 ◽  
Th 17 ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
H Pylori

Background: T helper 17 (Th-17) cell, a proinflammatory subset of CD4 T cells, have an essential role in immunity against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate expression of selected Th-17 cells associated cytokines (IL17, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, IL-26 and TNF-α) in H. pylori-infected patients and to recognize their responsibility in H. pylori associated chronic gastritis with different severity. Methodology: This study is a case control study. The case group included 25 H. pyloripositive patients suffering from chronic gastritis. The control group included 25 age and sex-matched healthy individuals without any dyspeptic symptoms and negative for H. pylori. Infection with H. pylori in all participants was determined by detection of H. pylori stool antigen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Certain cytokines expression (IL-17, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, IL-26 and TNF-α) in serum samples from all participants were tested using ELISA. Results: Comparing the serum cytokines expression in cases and controls, IL-17, IL-21 IL-23 and TNF-α were significantly higher in cases while IL-22 and IL-26 were higher in cases but not statistically significant. Both serum IL-17 and TNF-α expressions were statistically significant higher in cases with moderate or severe forms of chronic gastritis than in cases with mild form of chronic gastritis. However, the levels of IL-21, IL-22, IL-23 and IL-26 showed insignificant variation regarding chronic gastritis severity. Conclusion: Th-17 cells are responsible for the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection and the severity of gastritis. So, down regulation of Th-17 cells associated cytokines offers a promising therapy to diminish H. pylori associated gastritis.

scholarly journals Increased Th1 Cells with Disease Resolution of Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Non-Atopic Patients

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 724
Author(s):  
Chun-Yu Lo ◽  
Yu-Chen Huang ◽  
Hung-Yu Huang ◽  
Fu-Tsai Chung ◽  
Chang-Wei Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immunoglobulin E ◽  
Interleukin 4 ◽  
Th2 Cells ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Th1 Cells ◽  
T Helper ◽  
Tb Treatment ◽  
Nitrite Production ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
The Impact

Type 1 CD4+ T helper (Th1) cells mediate resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), and Th2 immunity generates specific immunoglobulin E upon allergen exposure. We investigated the impact of active tuberculosis (TB), atopic status, and anti-TB treatment on the balance between Th1 and Th2 (type 2 CD4+ T helper) immunity. CD4+/interferon (IFN)-γ+ Th1 cells (%Th1) and CD4+/interleukin-4+ Th2 cells (%Th2) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured by flow cytometry. The BAL %Th1 was higher in TB patients at baseline, compared to that in non-TB subjects, and was further increased in TB patients after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin. The stimulated BAL %Th1 was inversely correlated with the severity score of chest radiography in TB patients. Heat-killed Mtb triggered more IFN-γ and nitrite production, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the Griess reaction, respectively, from the alveolar macrophages of TB patients than that of non-TB subjects. Non-atopic TB participants had a higher %Th1 in PBMCs, compared to atopic individuals, and their %Th1 decreased after 3-month anti-TB treatment. Th1 response is provoked by active TB infection, is associated with less severe radiographic changes, is reduced in atopic patients with active TB infection, and is attenuated after anti-TB treatment.

scholarly journals Serum Interleukin-35 Level in Correlation with T Regulatory and T helper-17 Cells Frequency in Chronic Viral Hepatitis C Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 2431-2442
Author(s):  
Safaa S. Abo-Elnour ◽  
Amira E. Abdelhamid ◽  
Sherine E. Bendary ◽  
Ossama A. Ahmed ◽  
Heba I. Aly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
T Regulatory Cells ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Control Group ◽  
T Helper ◽  
T Helper 17 ◽  
T Helper 17 Cells ◽  
Th 17 ◽  
Viral Hepatitis C ◽  
Significant Difference

Interleukin-35 (IL-35), secreted mainly by T-regulatory cells (T-regs), has been considered to have immunosuppressive actions in many auto-immune diseases and tumors. However, information about its role in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection is still limited. We aimed to study the role of IL-35 within CHC infection and to assess its correlation with T-regs and T-helper 17 cells (Th-17). Therefore, we measured serum IL-35 concentrations using ELISA assay in 25 normal controls (NCs) and in 30 CHC patients before receiving direct antiviral agents (DAA) treatment and after 3 months of treatment end. T-regs and Th-17 cells frequencies were assessed via flow-cytometry in control group and patients’ group before treatment. The results showed that serum IL-35 levels revealed a highly significant increase in CHC patients compared to NCs (P <0.001). Moreover, IL-35 levels significantly decreased in patients 3 months after treatment end (P =0.02). Both Th-17 and T-regs were significantly increased in patients more than in NCs and a positive correlation was observed between them. However, T-regs/Th-17 ratio did not show significant difference from the ratio in NCs. IL-35 levels were positively correlated with viral load and T-regs frequency, but not with Th-17 frequency. IL-35 levels did not correlate with liver enzymes or functions. These results suggested that IL-35 enhances the immunosuppressive functions of T-regs, protecting the liver from HCV induced damage and contributes to viral persistence. IL-35 may represent a possible immunotherapeutic strategy for chronic persistent infection if given with DAA, especially in relapsing or non-responding cases.

scholarly journals The Impact of T Helper and T Regulatory Cells on the Regulation of Anti-Double-Stranded DNA B Cells

Immunity ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su-jean Seo ◽  
Michele L Fields ◽  
Jodi L Buckler ◽  
Amy J Reed ◽  
Laura Mandik-Nayak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
T Regulatory Cells ◽  
Regulatory Cells ◽  
T Helper ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals The impact of FGF19/FGFR4 signaling inhibition in antitumor activity of multi-kinase inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Kanzaki ◽  
Tetsuhiro Chiba ◽  
Junjie Ao ◽  
Keisuke Koroki ◽  
Kengo Kanayama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Erk Signaling ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Antitumor Effects ◽  
The Impact

AbstractFGF19/FGFR4 autocrine signaling is one of the main targets for multi-kinase inhibitors (MKIs). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying FGF19/FGFR4 signaling in the antitumor effects to MKIs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. In this study, the impact of FGFR4/ERK signaling inhibition on HCC following MKI treatment was analyzed in vitro and in vivo assays. Serum FGF19 in HCC patients treated using MKIs, such as sorafenib (n = 173) and lenvatinib (n = 40), was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Lenvatinib strongly inhibited the phosphorylation of FRS2 and ERK, the downstream signaling molecules of FGFR4, compared with sorafenib and regorafenib. Additional use of a selective FGFR4 inhibitor with sorafenib further suppressed FGFR4/ERK signaling and synergistically inhibited HCC cell growth in culture and xenograft subcutaneous tumors. Although serum FGF19high (n = 68) patients treated using sorafenib exhibited a significantly shorter progression-free survival and overall survival than FGF19low (n = 105) patients, there were no significant differences between FGF19high (n = 21) and FGF19low (n = 19) patients treated using lenvatinib. In conclusion, robust inhibition of FGF19/FGFR4 is of importance for the exertion of antitumor effects of MKIs. Serum FGF19 levels may function as a predictive marker for drug response and survival in HCC patients treated using sorafenib.

scholarly journals STING and cGAS gene expressions were downregulated among HIV-1-infected persons after antiretroviral therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena Leticia Peixoto de Lima ◽  
Allysson Quintino Tenório de Oliveira ◽  
Tuane Carolina Ferreira Moura ◽  
Ednelza da Silva Graça Amoras ◽  
Sandra Souza Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Viral Load ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Type I ◽  
Α Level ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hiv 1

Abstract Background The HIV-1 epidemic is still considered a global public health problem, but great advances have been made in fighting it by antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART has a considerable impact on viral replication and host immunity. The production of type I interferon (IFN) is key to the innate immune response to viral infections. The STING and cGAS proteins have proven roles in the antiviral cascade. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of ART on innate immunity, which was represented by STING and cGAS gene expression and plasma IFN-α level. Methods This cohort study evaluated a group of 33 individuals who were initially naïve to therapy and who were treated at a reference center and reassessed 12 months after starting ART. Gene expression levels and viral load were evaluated by real-time PCR, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts by flow cytometry, and IFN-α level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results From before to after ART, the CD4+ T cell count and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio significantly increased (p < 0.0001), the CD8+ T cell count slightly decreased, and viral load decreased to undetectable levels in most of the group (84.85%). The expression of STING and cGAS significantly decreased (p = 0.0034 and p = 0.0001, respectively) after the use of ART, but IFN-α did not (p = 0.1558). Among the markers evaluated, the only markers that showed a correlation with each other were STING and CD4+ T at the time of the first collection. Conclusions ART provided immune recovery and viral suppression to the studied group and indirectly downregulated the STING and cGAS genes. In contrast, ART did not influence IFN-α. The expression of STING and cGAS was not correlated with the plasma level of IFN-α, which suggests that there is another pathway regulating this cytokine in addition to the STING–cGAS pathway.

scholarly journals Volatility Modeling: An Overview of Equity Markets in the Euro Area during COVID-19 Pandemic

Mathematics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1212
Author(s):  
Pierdomenico Duttilo ◽  
Stefano Antonio Gattone ◽  
Tonio Di Di Battista
Keyword(s):  
Stock Market ◽  
Euro Area ◽  
Risk Premium ◽  
Stock Markets ◽  
Market Volatility ◽  
Stock Market Volatility ◽  
Volatility Modeling ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Second Wave ◽  
Daily Returns

Volatility is the most widespread measure of risk. Volatility modeling allows investors to capture potential losses and investment opportunities. This work aims to examine the impact of the two waves of COVID-19 infections on the return and volatility of the stock market indices of the euro area countries. The study also focuses on other important aspects such as time-varying risk premium and leverage effect. This investigation employed the Threshold GARCH(1,1)-in-Mean model with exogenous dummy variables. Daily returns of the euro area stock markets indices from 4th January 2016 to 31st December 2020 has been used for the analysis. The results reveal that euro area stock markets respond differently to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the first wave of COVID-19 infections had a notable impact on stock market volatility of euro area countries with middle-large financial centres while the second wave had a significant impact only on stock market volatility of Belgium.

scholarly journals The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on adult diagnostic neuroradiology in Europe

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Smits ◽  
M. W. Vernooij ◽  
N. Bargalló ◽  
A. Ramos ◽  
T. A. Yousry
Keyword(s):  
Online Courses ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Personal Protection Equipment ◽  
Work Training ◽  
Healthcare Crisis ◽  
Area Of Concern ◽  
Media Channels ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Second Wave ◽  
Diagnostic Neuroradiology

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this survey was to understand the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has or has had on the work, training, and wellbeing of professionals in the field of diagnostic neuroradiology. Methods A survey was emailed to all ESNR members and associates as well as distributed via professional social media channels. The survey was held in the summer of 2020 when the first wave had subsided in most of Europe, while the second wave was not yet widespread. The questionnaire featured a total of 46 questions on general demographics, the various phases of the healthcare crisis, and the numbers of Covid-19 patients. Results One hundred sixty-seven responses were received from 48 countries mostly from neuroradiologists (72%). Most commonly taken measures during the crisis phase were reduction of outpatient exams (87%), reduction of number of staff present in the department (83%), reporting from home (62%), and shift work (54%). In the exit phase, these measures were less frequently applied, but reporting from home was still frequent (33%). However, only 22% had access to a fully equipped work station at home. While 81% felt safe at work during the crisis, fewer than 50% had sufficient personal protection equipment for the duration of the entire crisis. Mental wellbeing is an area of concern, with 61% feeling (much) worse than usual. Many followed online courses/congresses and considered these a viable alternative for the future. Conclusion The Covid-19 pandemic substantially affected the professional life as well as personal wellbeing of neuroradiologists.

scholarly journals A data-driven metapopulation model for the Belgian COVID-19 epidemic: assessing the impact of lockdown and exit strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pietro Coletti ◽  
Pieter Libin ◽  
Oana Petrof ◽  
Lander Willem ◽  
Steven Abrams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase 1 ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
National Level ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Exit Strategy ◽  
Initial Wave ◽  
Contact Data ◽  
Stochastic Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Second Wave

Abstract Background In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, several countries adopted measures of social distancing to a different degree. For many countries, after successfully curbing the initial wave, lockdown measures were gradually lifted. In Belgium, such relief started on May 4th with phase 1, followed by several subsequent phases over the next few weeks. Methods We analysed the expected impact of relaxing stringent lockdown measures taken according to the phased Belgian exit strategy. We developed a stochastic, data-informed, meta-population model that accounts for mixing and mobility of the age-structured population of Belgium. The model is calibrated to daily hospitalization data and is able to reproduce the outbreak at the national level. We consider different scenarios for relieving the lockdown, quantified in terms of relative reductions in pre-pandemic social mixing and mobility. We validate our assumptions by making comparisons with social contact data collected during and after the lockdown. Results Our model is able to successfully describe the initial wave of COVID-19 in Belgium and identifies interactions during leisure/other activities as pivotal in the exit strategy. Indeed, we find a smaller impact of school re-openings as compared to restarting leisure activities and re-openings of work places. We also assess the impact of case isolation of new (suspected) infections, and find that it allows re-establishing relatively more social interactions while still ensuring epidemic control. Scenarios predicting a second wave of hospitalizations were not observed, suggesting that the per-contact probability of infection has changed with respect to the pre-lockdown period. Conclusions Contacts during leisure activities are found to be most influential, followed by professional contacts and school contacts, respectively, for an impending second wave of COVID-19. Regular re-assessment of social contacts in the population is therefore crucial to adjust to evolving behavioral changes that can affect epidemic diffusion.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Impact of Intensive Case Management for Severe Vocational Injuries on Work Incapacity and Costs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rolando Leiva ◽  
Lise Rochaix ◽  
Noémie Kiefer ◽  
Jean-Claude K. Dupont
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Case Management ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Insurance Fund ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Intensive Case Management ◽  
Exact Matching ◽  
Case Management Program ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Permanent Work

AbstractPurpose This study investigates the impact of an intensive case management program on sick leave days, permanent work incapacity levels and treatment costs for severe vocational injuries set up by the French National Insurance Fund in five health insurance districts. Methods The method employed relies on a four-step matching procedure combining Coarsened Exact Matching and Propensity Score Matching, based on an original administrative dataset. Average Treatment effects on the Treated were estimated using a parametric model with a large set of covariates. Results After one-year follow-up, workers in the treatment group had higher sickness absence rates, with 22 extra days, and the program led to 2.7 (95% CI 2.3–3.1) times more diagnoses of permanent work incapacity in the treatment group. With an estimated yearly operational cost of 2,722 € per treated worker, the average total extra treatment cost was 4,569 € for treated workers, which corresponds to a cost increase of 29.2% for the insurance fund. Conclusions The higher costs found for the treatment group are mainly due to longer sick leave duration for the moderate severity group, implying higher cash transfers in the form of one-off indemnities. Even though workers in the treated group have more diagnoses of permanent work incapacity, the difference of severity between groups is small. Our results on longer sick leave duration are partly to be explained by interactions between the case managers and the occupational physicians that encouraged patients to stay longer off-work for better recovery, despite the higher costs that this represented for the insurance fund and the well-documented adverse side effects of longer periods off-work.

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