scholarly journals Biomarkers of inflammation and cytokine storm: a relationship with the production levels of virus-specific IgG isotype antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 N-protein in COVID-19 present and vaccinated persons

Author(s):  
L. P. Titov ◽  
T. V. Amvrosieva ◽  
M. O. Trusevich ◽  
I. V. Belskaya

 COVID-19 has become a planetary emergency which is seriously threatening human health. Comparative studies can shed light on the molecular mechanisms of the formation of humoral antiviral immunity in persons who have undergone the disease and have been vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Serum levels of biomarkers of inflammation and cytokine storm (procalcitonin, sCD14, sLBP, sTREM1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, sWnt5a, TNFα and TNFβ) were determined by enzyme immunoassay. We studied the relationship between the content of biomarkers in blood serum with low and high concentrations of antiviral antibodies, indirect indicators of which are the values of the positivity coefficient (CP). A significant increase in the serum levels of sTREM1, IL-6, and procalcitonin was found in persons with a high CP level after infection. A significant increase in IL-6 and PCT was revealed in persons vaccinated with the Sputnik V vaccine, both with a low level of CP and with a high one. In vaccinated individuals with a low CP level, a significant increase in the sTREM1 content was also observed. It has been shown that the content of sCD14 (presepsin) is significantly lower in vaccinated individuals, both with low and high CP, compared with donors. When studying the correlations between CP and serum biomarkers in vaccinated individuals, a weak inverse correlation was found for sLBP (r = –0.465) and IL-6 (r = –0.437), as well as an average inverse correlation for sTREM1 (r = –0.508).

Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Gallardo-Fernández ◽  
Ruth Hornedo-Ortega ◽  
Isabel M. Alonso-Bellido ◽  
José A. Rodríguez-Gómez ◽  
Ana M. Troncoso ◽  
...  

Neuroinflammation is a common feature shared by neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), and seems to play a key role in their development and progression. Microglia cells, the principal orchestrators of neuroinflammation, can be polarized in different phenotypes, which means they are able to have anti-inflammatory, pro-inflammatory, or neurodegenerative effects. Increasing evidence supports that the traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern is related to the reduction of cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases. A considerable intake of plant foods, fish, and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), as well as a moderate consumption of red wine, all characteristic of the Mediterranean diet (MD), are behind these effects. These foods are especially rich in polyphenols, being the most relevant in the MD hydroxytyrosol (HT) and their derivatives present in EVOO, which have demonstrated a wide array of biological activities. Here, we demonstrate that HT is able to reduce the inflammation induced by two different stimuli: lipopolysaccharide and α-synuclein. We also study the possible molecular mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory effect of HT, including the study of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, and inflammasome. Our data support the use of HT to prevent the inflammation associated with PD and shed light into the relationship between MD and this neurological disorder.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 1766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Wang ◽  
Shiqi Xiao ◽  
Xiaoming Chen ◽  
Shilin Chen ◽  
Shanqiang Wang ◽  
...  

Two Bacillus atrophaeus strains, the first being a highly stress-resistant ATCC 9372 strain and the Ua strain identified from a chromium mine by our lab, differ in their abilities to tolerate and remove Uranium (VI) from contaminated water. An increase in U(VI) concentration in growth media led to a decrease in the tolerance and bio-remedial capacity of both strains. However, under high concentrations of U(VI) in the growth media, the ATCC 9372 strain demonstrated a higher tolerance and a higher removal capacity than the Ua strain. Two approaches, transcriptome sequencing and transgenic technology, were used to elucidate the relationship between particular genes within these two strains and their U(VI) removal capacity. Sequencing confirmed the expression of two genes unique to the Ua strain, previously designated ytiB and ythA. They encode putative proteins that show the highest levels of identity to carbonic anhydrase and cytochrome bd terminal oxidase I, respectively. Using the pBE-S DNA vector, ytiB and ythA were transformed into the ATCC 9372 strain of Bacillus atrophaeus. Under a U(VI) concentration of 120 mg/L, the removal rates of the transgenic ATCC 9372-ytiB and ATCC 9372-ythA strains decreased by 7.55% and 7.43%, respectively, compared to the removal rate of the control strain transformed with empty plasmid. The results suggest that both ythA and ytiB genes have a negative influence on the uranium removing capacity of Bacillus atrophaeus. This finding will help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of uranium removal by bacteria.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Srour ◽  
Heba Almassri ◽  
Khaled Almghari

Abstract Objectives Breast cancer (BC) consider as the most common malignant disease among women in Palestine. It is a leading cause of cancer mortality among women. It is estimated that 1 in 8 women will develop BC in their lifetime. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between serum levels of folic acid among BC women in Gaza strip (Palestinian territories). It's also aim to determine other factors that can increase BC risk. Explore the correlation between dietary intake of folic acid and incidence of BC among women. Methods Case-control study conducted on 90 women aged 30 years and above in Gaza strip. 45 subjects who are newly diagnosed with BC and 45 healthy subjects examined to be free from the disease. All subjects were interviewed and blood sample were collected to measure folic acid levels. Results There is weak inverse correlation between BC incidence and folic acid serum levels, meanwhile, total folic acids intake showed no difference between case and control groups. Conclusions There is weak association between folic acid levels and BC risk in our sample. Funding Sources University of Palestine, Nutrition Department and AlAzhar University, Clinical Nutrition Program.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adhham Zaatri ◽  
Jenna A. Perry ◽  
Amy Shaub Maddox

AbstractMany cells and tissues exhibit chirality that stems from the chirality of constituent proteins and polymers. For example, the C. elegans zygote undergoes an actomyosin-driven chiral rotation in which the entire cortex is displaced circumferentially around the division plane during anaphase. This phenomenon thus relates to how force and chirality are translated across scales. Although it is known that actomyosin contractility drives this rotation, the molecular mechanisms transmitting contractility to chiral movement, and dictating handedness, are not understood. Septins are candidates for contributing to cell-scale chirality due to their ability to anchor and organize the actomyosin cytoskeleton. Here, we report that septins are required for anaphase cortical rotation. In contrast, the formin CYK-1, which we found to be enriched in the posterior in early anaphase, is not required for cortical rotation, but contributes to its chirality. Simultaneous loss of septin and CYK-1 function led to highly abnormal and often reversed cortical rotation. We propose a model by which anaphase cortical contractility is biased in a chiral fashion via interaction between the circumferential cytokinetic ring and perpendicular, longitudinal formin-based actin bundles that have accumulated torsional stress during formin-based polymerization. Our findings thus shed light on the molecular and physical bases for cellular chirality in the C. elegans zygote. We also identify conditions in which chiral rotation fails but animals are developmentally viable, opening avenues for future work on the relationship between early embryonic cellular chirality and animal body plan.


2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 490-495
Author(s):  
M. R. Nasr

Repeated blood transfusions in patients with thalassaemia subject them to peroxidative tissue injury by secondary iron overload. To study the relationship between iron overload and antioxidant micronutrient status among children with thalassaemia, we measured serum levels of vitamins A and E, zinc, selenium, and copper in 64 children with beta-thalassaemia major and 63 age- and sex-matched controls. All of these elements were significantly lower in the thalassaemic children compared with controls. There was a highly significant inverse correlation between serum ferritin and serum retinol levels, and significant inverse correlations between serum iron and retinol and between serum iron and selenium. Serum ferritin showed a significant positive correlation with duration of chelation and transfusion treatments. Ways are needed to counteract this oxidative damage and its deleterious effect on the prognosis of thalassaemia.


Author(s):  
Simerpreet Kukreja

Introduction: Cigarette smoking induces many chronic illnesses, but in developed countries it is a preventable risk factor. However, by increasing the protective protection mechanism, it may be possible to alleviate the smoke-induced damage. As smoking risk is minimised by vitamin C intake, it is recommended that smokers should take more vitamin C. This inverse correlation between both vitamin C intake and serum levels and smoking was independent of age, sex, body weight, ethnicity, and consumption of alcoholic beverages. The negative association between cigarette smoking and serum vitamin C levels continued, following further adjustment for dietary vitamin C intake. The risk of severe hypovitaminosis C, especially when not accompanied by vitamin supplementation, has been increased in smokers. These data indicate that the inverse relationship between smoking and serum vitamin C levels exists independently of dietary intake, while smoking adversely affects preferences for vitamin C rich foods. Methods: A survey method was performed, with 50 smokers (S) receiving either 500 mg of vitamin C or placebo (P) daily for 4 weeks, and 50 non-smokers receiving vitamin C without supplementation. All finished the hearing. Both groups were equal and C: 14.2 + /- 1.8 pack-years was the amount of cigarettes smoked. Concentrations of plasma vitamin C increased significantly (p < 0.005) only in the vitamin C supplement community.  Results: At SMHRC Hospital Nagpur, we examined the relationship between smoking and vitamin C status, dietary and serum vitamin C levels of 100 participants. Smokers of 20 cigarettes a day had the lowest dietary intake of vitamin C and serum levels, whereas smokers of 1-19 cigarettes a day had lower intake of vitamin C and serum levels (compared to respondents who had never smoked. This inverse correlation between vitamin C and smoking intake and serum levels was independent of age, sex, body weight, race, and consumption of alcoholic beverages. The negative association between cigarette smoking and serum vitamin C levels continued, following further adjustment for dietary vitamin C intake. In smokers, the risk of severe hypo-vitaminosis C, particularly when not accompanied by vitamin supplementation, has increased. Conclusion: These data indicate that the inverse relationship between smoking and serum vitamin C levels exists independently of dietary intake, while smoking adversely affects preferences for vitamin C rich foods. A balanced diet for smokers will obtain a hearty recommendation at this time, but guidelines should remain cautious about high-dose nutrition supplements. Keywords: Chain Smoker, Vitamin C, hypo-vitaminosis C and cigarette.


Author(s):  
Abeer AlNajjar

This book aims to shed light on core questions relating to language and society, language and conflict, and language and politics, in relation to a changing Middle East. While the book focuses on Arabic, it goes way beyond a purely linguistic analysis by bringing to the fore a set of pressing questions about the relationship between Arabic and society. For example, it touches on the development of language policy via an examination of administrative mandates (top-down) in contrast to grassroots initiatives (bottom-up); the deeper layers of the linguistic landscape that highlight the connection between politics, conflict, identity, road signs and street names; Arabic studies and Arabic identity and the myriad ways countries deal simultaneously with globalisation while also seeking to strengthen local and national identity, and more.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Baek ◽  
Diana Tamir ◽  
Emily B. Falk

Information sharing is a ubiquitous social behavior. What causes people to share? Mentalizing, or considering the mental states of other people, has been theorized to play a central role in information sharing, with higher activity in the brain’s mentalizing system associated with increased likelihood to share information. In line with this theory, we present novel evidence that mentalizing causally increases information sharing. In three pre-registered studies (n = 400, 840, and 3500 participants), participants who were instructed to consider the mental states of potential information receivers indicated higher likelihood to share health news compared to a control condition where they were asked to reflect on the content of the article. Certain kinds of mentalizing were particularly effective; in particular, considering receivers’ emotional and positive mental states, led to the greatest increase in likelihood to share. The relationship between mentalizing and sharing was mediated by feelings of closeness with potential receivers. Mentalizing increased feelings of connectedness to potential receivers, and in turn, increased likelihood of information sharing. Considering receivers’ emotional, positive, and inward-focused mental states was most effective at driving participants to feel closer with potential receivers and increase sharing. Data provide evidence for a causal relationship between mentalizing and information sharing and provide insight about the mechanism linking mentalizing and sharing. Taken together, these results advance theories of information sharing and shed light on previously observed brain-behavior relationships.


Author(s):  
المختار الأحمر

الملخّص يتناول البحث علاقة الفطرة بالشريعة في التفكير الإسلامي، وما تطرحه هذه العلاقة سواء على مستوى بيان الجوانب المتعلقة بخَلْق الإنسان وما فُطِر عليه ابتداء، وهذا البعد يمثّل الجانب التكوني في مفهوم الفطرة، أو على المستوى المتعلق بالشريعة وفطريتها، أي أنها جارية وفق ما يدركه العقل وتشهد به الفطرة، وهذا البعد يمثّل الجانب التشريعي الذي يطرحه مفهوم الفطرة. لقد زخرت أغلب الكتابات بتناول جانبا واحدا مما يتيحه أو يعكسه مفهوم الفطرة، لكن البحث في العلاقة التناسبية بين الفطرة والشريعة، وما يتيحه هذا النظر المتلازم بين المفهومين على مستوى الإمكانات المتعلقة بقدرات الإنسان الفطرية في فهم وتعقّل الخطاب الشرعي والأحكام التكليفية، والوقوف على غاياته ومقاصده، يبقى في حاجة إلى البحث والاستقصاء. ولذلك تأتي هذه الدراسة لتسليط الضوء على الجانب التشريعي والتكويني في علاقة الشريعة بالفطرة، باعتبارهما نظامين متلازمين يتيحان فهم طبيعة الشريعة وأحكامها ومقاصدها من جهة، وتحديد جوهر وماهية الإنسان الفطرية وإمكاناته في تعقّل هذه الشريعة من جهة ثانية.                  الكلمات المفتاحية: الفطرة، الشريعة، الدين، التكاليف، العقل. Abstract This research addresses the relationship between premordial human nature (fitrah) and Islamic law (SharÊÑah) within the frame of Islamic thought, while exploring the questions it raises at two levels. The first level explains the aspects related to the creation of man and what has initially been bestowed upon him, which represents the evolutionary aspect of the concept of fiÏrah. The second level is related to SharÊÑah and its nature, which evolves according to what is percieved by reason and witnessed by fiÏrah; this represents the legislative aspect presented by the concept of fiÏrah. The majority of studies to date address a single aspect of the illustrations of the concept of fiÏrah. However, research on the dialectic relationship between fiÏrah and SharÊÑah and what its relevant concurrent view provides at the level of potentials related to human innate capacities in understanding and realizing SharÊÑah discourse and mandatory provisions as well as understanding its objectives  remains scarce and requires further research and investigation. Therefore, this study intends to shed light on the legislative and evolutionary aspects of the relationship between SharÊÑah and fiÏrah as two interconnected systems that allow for the understanding of the nature of SharÊÑah, its provisions and purposes, as well as identifying the essence of human innate nature and its potential in perceiving SharÊÑah. Keywords: human nature (fiÏrah), Islamic law (SharÊÑah), religious mandates (TakÉlif), religion, intellect (ÑAqal).


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