Vitamin D Status during Pregnancy versus the Anthropometric Parameters of Two- and Four-Year-Olds: A Pilot Study

Apart from being associated with a well-documented risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, maternal deficiency of vitamin D may also negatively affect the physical development of their children. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between maternal as well as umbilical cord blood levels of vitamin D and the weight and height values of two- and four-year-olds. The study was conducted in a group of 52 ‘mother–child’ pairs. On the day of the delivery, total 25(OH)D concentration in blood was measured using immunological tests (LIAISON). Weight and height values were obtained from the database of routine health checks for children aged two and four, which are obligatory in Poland. Multiple regression analysis was used for statistical analysis. No association was detected between maternal-neonatal concentrations of vitamin D and weight and height values of the investigated two- and four-year-olds despite extreme differences in maternal (4.0–37.7 ng/mL) and neonatal (5.9–46.6 ng/mL) concentrations and the fact that vitamin D deficiency was detected in almost 54% of the mothers and 37% of the newborns. Therefore, no relationship between maternal-fetal vitamin D concentrations and the anthropometric parameters of the investigated children up to the age of four was found.

Comparison of different sets of immunological tests to identify treatable immunodeficiencies in adult bronchiectasis patients

BackgroundReported prevalence of immunodeficiencies in bronchiectasis patients is variable depending on the frequency and extent of immunological tests performed. ERS Guidelines recommend a minimum bundle of tests. Broadening the spectrum of immunological tests could increase the number of patients diagnosed with an immunodeficiency and those who could receive specific therapy. The primary objective of the present study was to assess the performance of different sets of immunological tests in diagnosing any, primary, secondary, or treatable immunodeficiencies in adults with bronchiectasis.MethodsAn observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Bronchiectasis Program of the Policlinico University Hospital in Milan, Italy, from September 2016 to June 2019. Adult outpatients with a clinical and radiological diagnosis of bronchiectasis underwent the same immunological screening during the first visit when clinically stable consisting of: complete blood count, IgA, IgG, IgM, IgG subclasses, total IgE, lymphocyte subsets, and HIV antibodies. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of patients with any immunodeficiencies using five different sets of immunological tests.ResultsA total of 401 bronchiectasis patients underwent the immunological screening. A significantly different prevalence of bronchiectasis patients diagnosed with any, primary, or secondary immunodeficiencies was found across different bundles. 44.6% bronchiectasis patients had a diagnosis of immunodeficiency using when IgG subclasses and lymphocyte subset are added to the minimum bundle suggested by the guidelines.ConclusionA 4-fold increase in the diagnosis of immunodeficiencies can be found in adults with bronchiectasis when IgG subclasses and lymphocyte subsets are added to the bundle of tests recommended by guidelines.

Hepatology Characteristics of patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis: a retrospective study

Backgrounds: This study aimed to achieve a better understanding of the characteristics of patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC). Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 50 patients with CC between January 2018 and December 2020 who were admitted to our hospital. Clinical data, biochemical and immunological parameters, viral markers, imaging findings and liver histopathological features of the patients were analyzed. Results: The percentage of male patients with CC was 58% (29/50). The average age was 54 ± 17 years. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) IgG and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were negative for all patients. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was tested in 68% (34/50) of the patients and the results were undetectable. Ceruloplasmin was detected in 96% (48/50) cases, while 10 cases were Kayser-fleischer ring negative. Immunological tests were conducted in 94% (47/50) of cases, antinuclear antibody (ANA) was elevated in eight cases, whereas anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) was elevated in three cases. Liver biopsy was conducted on 11 patients, of which seven were percutaneous and four were transjugular. Immunohistochemistry for HBsAg and HBcAg were all negative. Metavir scoring result showed that six of 11 patients had scores below G2S2. Conclusions: The common laboratory tests especially noninvasive ones were conducted for most of the patients. Diagnosis of CC requires further detection to exclude specific diagnosis such as HBV DNA or intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in HBcAb positive patients, genetic screening of Wilson’s Disease in patients with low ceruloplasmin, etc.

Possibilities of specific immunological tests in patients with TB/HIV coinfection

The objective of the study: to study the possibilities of skin tests with tuberculosis recombinant allergen (TRA) in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in HIV-positive patients in the region with a high prevalence of tuberculosis.Subjects and Methods. Medical files of 85 patients were retrospectively analyzed, all the patients suffered from TB/HIV coinfection and underwent the skin test with TRA.Results. The skin test with TRA was found to be significantly valuable for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in patients with TB/HIV coinfection. The correlation between the intensity of response to the TRA test and CD4+ count was detected (p = 0.011). The lowest values were observed for CD4+ counts below 100 cells/μL. The direct correlation between the intensity of response to TRA and the stage of HIV infection was proved. No effect of the form of tuberculosis, the phase of the tuberculosis disease, or drug sensitivity on the intensity of response to TRA was found. Among tuberculosis patients with bacterial excretion (n = 48), 68.8% of patients responded positively to the TRA test, and in those with no bacterial excretion, the positive reaction was observed in 81.1%.

OTOİMMÜN ROMATOİD HASTALIKLARDA OTOANTİKORLAR

The diagnosis of autoimmune rheumatoid diseases can be made by combining parameters consisting of clinical, histopathological, laboratory and immunological tests. Among these parameters, autoantibodies are of great benefit in differential diagnosis, especially for patients with unclear clinical data. Immunofluorescence, ELISA, immunodiffusion, immunoprecipitation and Western blot can be used to identify autoantibodies. While autoantibodies like antinukleer antibody, double stranded deoksiribonukleic asid and anti neutrophils antibody are detected by immunofluorescence as a golden standard test, Anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody (CCP), antiphospholipid antibodies (anti-cardiolipid) are evaluated by ELISA and ENA group by immunoblot or western blot. Today the number of autoantibodies that can be detected is over 100. The indication of some of these autoantibodies are not known even today. The definition of antinuclear antibody group autoantibodies plays a crucial role for the diagnosis and treatment of systemic and organ-specific illnesses. With these methods, practical, fast and trustworthy results in clinical medicine and clinical immunology can be obtained.

Challenges in the Diagnosis of a Case of Granulomatosis with Polyangeitis

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a multisystem disease characterized by a necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis, typically associated with the presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. The lung is the most common organ involved in comparison to other vasculitis, but in the case presented by us the onset is otorhinolaryngology field, with a multitude of symptoms and immunological tests are initially negative. Over time, immunological tests become positive, but all this leading to a delay in diagnosis by 4 years and of course to a delay in treatment. In this paper we emphasize the usefulness of biopsy for diagnosis and use of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies to classify the disease.

Successful treatment of acquired reactive perforating collagenosis with itraconazole

Background Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis (ARPC) is a rare form of transepithelial elimination in which altered collagen is extruded through the epidermis. Case presentation A 23-year-old male presented with cup-like ulcerated lesions on his limbs since 3 months. A series of serological and immunological tests showed no abnormalities. A diagnosis of ARPC was based on skin biopsy findings. The patient was cured using treatment with itraconazole for 8 weeks, in the absence of a fungal infection. Conclusions The anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects of itraconazole can have good therapeutic benefits for ARPC.

A enfermagem militar no enfrentamento à COVID-19 em comunidades indígenas

Descrever a experiência de enfermeiras militares na Operação Xavante no enfrentamento ao novo Coronavírus. Trata-se de um relato de experiência sobre a atuação de enfermeiras militares na Operação Xavante. Como parte de uma equipe multidisciplinar, a enfermagem militar na Operação Xavante foi primordial em várias frentes de atuação, as quais permitiram, dentro do contexto proposto, o adequado cumprimento da missão e o sucesso das ações de saúde planejadas, destacando-se nos seguintes aspectos: recepção e triagem; acolhimento; educação em saúde e realização de testes imunológicos para a COVID-19. Enfatiza-se que estas ações fazem parte da atuação profissional das enfermeiras integrantes das Forças Armadas, atuando em diferentes situações e contextos, possibilitando reafirmar as práticas de enfermagem na atenção à saúde indígena, em meio a um momento de extremo desafio vivenciado pela população mundial.Descritores: Enfermagem Militar, Infecções por Coronavirus, Saúde de Populações Indígenas, Grupos Populacionais. Military nursing in the fight against COVID-19 in indigenous communitiesAbstract: To describe the experience of military nurses in Operation Xavante in coping to the new Coronavirus. This is an experience report on the role of military nurses in Operation Xavante. As part of a multidisciplinary team, military nursing in Operation Xavante was primordial on several fronts of action, which allowed, within the proposed context, the proper fulfillment of the mission and the success of the planned health actions, standing out in the following aspects: reception and screening; host; health education and immunological tests for COVID-19. It ends by emphasizing that these actions are part of the professional performance of nurses who are members of the Armed Forces, working in different situations and contexts, making it possible to reaffirm nursing practices in indigenous health care, amid a moment of extreme challenge experienced by the world population.Descriptors: Military Nursing, Coronavirus Infections, Health of Indigenous People, Population Groups. La enfermería militar en la lucha contra el COVID-19 en comunidades indígenasResumen: Describir la experiencia de las enfermeras militares en la Operación Xavante frente al nuevo Coronavirus. Este es un informe de experiencia sobre el papel de las enfermeras militares en la Operación Xavante. Como parte de un equipo multidisciplinario, la enfermería militar en la Operación Xavante fue primordial en varios frentes de acción, lo que permitió, dentro del contexto propuesto, el adecuado cumplimiento de la misión y el éxito de las acciones de salud planificadas, destacándose en los siguientes aspectos: recepción y selección; acogida; educación en salud y realización de pruebas inmunológicas para COVID-19. Finalizase enfatizando que estas acciones son parte del desempeño profesional de las enfermeras integrantes de las Fuerzas Armadas, actuando en diferentes situaciones y contextos, posibilitando reafirmar las prácticas de enfermería en la atención a la salud indígena, en un momento de desafío extremo que vive la población mundial.Descriptores: Enfermería Militar, Infecciones por Coronavirus, Salud de Poblaciones Indígenas, Grupos Poblacionales.

Structural Characterization and Immunomodulatory Activity of a Novel Polysaccharide From Lycopi Herba

Lycopi Herba has been broadly used as a traditional medicinal herb in Asia due to its ability to strengthen immunity. However, it is still obscure for its material basis and underlying mechanisms. Polysaccharide, as one of the most important components of most natural herbs, usually contributes to the immunomodulatory ability of herbs. Here, we aimed to detect polysaccharides from Lycopi Herba and examine their potential immunomodulatory activity. A novel polysaccharide (LHPW) was extracted from Lycopi Herba and purified by DEAE-52 cellulose chromatography and G-100 sephadex. According to physicochemical methods and monosaccharide composition analysis, LHPW was mainly composed of galactose, glucose, fructose, and arabinose. NMR and methylation analyses indicated that LHPW was a neutral polysaccharide with a backbone containing →3,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →4)-β-D-Galp-(1→ and →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, with the branches of →1)-β-D-Fruf-(2→ and →6)-α-D-Galp-(1→. Immunological tests indicated that LHPW could activate macrophage RAW264.7 and promote splenocyte proliferation. This study discovered a novel polysaccharide from Lycopi Herba and showed it was a potential immunomodulator.

Effects of Ingesting Fucoidan Derived from Cladosiphon okamuranus Tokida on Human NK Cells: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ingesting fucoidan derived from Okinawa mozuku (Cladosiphon okamuranus) on natural killer (NK) cell activity and to assess its safety in healthy adults via a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled pilot study. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups—a placebo group (ingesting citric acid, sucralose, and caramel beverages; n = 20; 45.5 ± 7.8 years (mean ± standard deviation)) and a fucoidan group (3.0 g/day from beverages; n = 20; 47.0 ± 7.6 years); after 12 weeks, blood, biochemical, and immunological tests were performed. Clinically adverse events were not observed in any of the tests during the study period. In addition, adverse events due to the test food were not observed. In the immunological tests, NK cell activity was significantly enhanced at 8 weeks in the fucoidan group, compared to before ingestion (0 weeks). In addition, a significantly enhanced NK cell activity was observed in male subjects at 8 weeks, compared with the placebo group. These results confirm that Okinawa mozuku-derived fucoidan enhances NK cell activity and suggest that it is a safe food material.