Polychromatic immunophenotypic characterization of T cell profiles among HIV-infected patients experiencing immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS)

Objective  

To immunophenotype CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell sub-populations in HIV-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS).     

Habit formation in context: Context-specific and context-free measures for tracking fruit consumption habit formation and behaviour

Objectives

Interventions promoting habitual fruit consumption have the potential to bring about long-term behaviour change. Assessing the effectiveness of such interventions requires adequate habit and behaviour measures. Habits are based on learned context-behaviour associations, so measures that incorporate context should be more sensitive to expected habit and behaviour changes than context-free measures. This study compared context-specific and context-free measures of fruit consumption habit and behaviour following a 3-week habit formation intervention.

Design

Prospective online study (n = 58).

Methods

Behaviour frequency was assessed across five timepoints, retrospectively (Time 1 [T1], T5) or via daily diary data (uploaded weekly at T2, T3 and T4). Habit strength was assessed before (T1) and immediately after the intervention (T4), and again 2 weeks later (T5). Analyses of variance were run, with time and context specificity as within-subject factors, and habit and behaviour frequency as dependent measures.

Results

An interaction between time and context specificity was found in both analyses (habit: F(2,114) = 12.848, p < .001, part.η² = .184; behaviour: F(2,114) = 6.714, p = .002, part.η² = .105). Expected habit formation patterns 5 weeks post-baseline were only detected by the context-specific habit measure. Likewise, increased behaviour frequency was only found when the target context was specified (p's < .001).

Conclusions

Assessments of purposeful dietary habit and behaviour change attempts should incorporate context-specific measurement.     

Immunological imprint of COVID-19 on human peripheral blood leukocyte populations

Background

SARS-CoV-2 has triggered a pandemic that is now claiming many lives. Several studies have investigated cellular immune responses in COVID-19-infected patients during disease but little is known regarding a possible protracted impact of COVID-19 on the adaptive and innate immune system in COVID-19 convalescent patients.

Methods

We used multiparametric flow cytometry to analyze whole peripheral blood samples and determined SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody levels against the S-protein, its RBD-subunit, and viral nucleocapsid in a cohort of COVID-19 convalescent patients who had mild disease ~10 weeks after infection (n = 109) and healthy control subjects (n = 98). Furthermore, we correlated immunological changes with clinical and demographic parameters.

Results

Even ten weeks after disease COVID-19 convalescent patients had fewer neutrophils, while their cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cells were activated, reflected as higher HLA-DR and CD38 expression. Multiparametric regression analyses showed that in COVID-19-infected patients both CD3⁺CD4⁺ and CD3⁺CD8⁺ effector memory cells were higher, while CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T regulatory cells were lower. In addition, both transitional B cell and plasmablast levels were significantly elevated in COVID-19-infected patients. Fever (duration, level) correlated with numbers of central memory CD4⁺ T cells and anti-S and anti-RBD, but not anti-NC antibody levels. Moreover, a “young immunological age” as determined by numbers of CD3⁺CD45RA⁺CD62L⁺CD31⁺ recent thymic emigrants was associated with a loss of sense of taste and/or smell.

Conclusion

Acute SARS-CoV-2 infection leaves protracted beneficial (ie, activation of T cells) and potentially harmful (ie, reduction of neutrophils) imprints in the cellular immune system in addition to induction of specific antibody responses.

     

Exploring barriers and enablers to the delivery of Making Every Contact Count brief behavioural interventions in Ireland: A cross-sectional survey study

Objectives

The public health impact of the Irish Making Every Contact Count (MECC) brief intervention programme is dependent on delivery by health care professionals. We aimed to identify enablers and modifiable barriers to MECC intervention delivery to optimize MECC implementation.

Design

Online cross-sectional survey design.

Methods

Health care professionals (n = 4050) who completed MECC eLearning were invited to complete an online survey based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Multiple regression analysis identified predictors of MECC delivery (logistic regression to predict delivery or not; linear regression to predict frequency of delivery). Data were visualized using Confidence Interval-Based Estimates of Relevance (CIBER).

Results

Seventy-nine per cent of participants (n = 283/357) had delivered a MECC intervention. In the multiple logistic regression (Nagelkerke's R² = .34), the significant enablers of intervention delivery were ‘professional role’ (OR = 1.86 [1.10, 3.15]) and ‘intentions/goals’ (OR = 4.75 [1.97, 11.45]); significant barriers included ‘optimistic beliefs about consequences’ (OR = .41 [.18, .94]) and ‘negative emotions’ (OR = .50 [.32, .77]). In the multiple linear regression (R² = .29), the significant enablers of frequency of MECC delivery were ‘intentions/goals’ (b = 10.16, p = .02) and professional role (b = 6.72, p = .03); the significant barriers were ‘negative emotions’ (b = −4.74, p = .04) and ‘barriers to prioritisation’ (b = −5.00, p = .01). CIBER analyses suggested six predictive domains with substantial room for improvement: ‘intentions and goals’, ‘barriers to prioritisation’, ‘environmental resources’, ‘beliefs about capabilities’, ‘negative emotions’ and ‘skills’.

Conclusion

Implementation interventions to enhance MECC delivery should target intentions and goals, beliefs about capabilities, negative emotions, environmental resources, skills and barriers to prioritization.     

A single bout of breast milk expression does not increase resting metabolic rate

Introduction

Breastfeeding women have elevated resting metabolic rate (RMR); however, whether a single bout of lactation increases RMR is unknown. This study aimed to determine if a single bout of lactation acutely increased RMR.

Methods

Twenty-two lactating women (age: 31 ± 0.9 year, body mass index: 27.3 ± 1.2 kg/m²) were recruited. RMR was assessed at baseline and at 1- and 2-h following breast milk expression.

Results

RMR was unchanged in lactating women following a single bout of lactation (baseline: 1437 ± 39; 1 h: 1425 ± 37 2 h: 1440 ± 31 kcal/day) (p > .05). RMR was not correlated to daily milk produced (r = 0.05, p > .05), but was correlated to body mass (r = 0.74, p < .001), fat-free mass (kg) (r = 0.61, p < .01), and fat mass (kg) (r = 0.71, p < .01).

Conclusion

RMR in lactating women appears to be more related to body mass or composition in the postpartum period rather than lactation.     

Distinct Phenotype of Unrestricted Cytotoxic T lymphocytes from Human Immunodeficiency Virus-infected Individuals

Introduction  

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals have CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) that kill activated uninfected T lymphocytes. These CTL are independent of class Ia human histocompatibility-linked leukocyte antigens (HLA-Ia).     

Coculturing Dendritic Cells with Zoledronate Acid Efficiently Enhance the Anti-Tumor Effects of Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells

Introduction  

Dendritic cells (DCs) have greater stimulating activity on innate and adaptive immunity following short-term sensitization with zoledronate acid (DCs^Zol). We identified the phenotype, cytotoxicity, and mechanisms of killing of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells which were cocultured with DCs^Zol.     

Preventive and therapeutic effects of tacrolimus in an interleukin-10-deficient mouse model of colitis

Objective  

To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of tacrolimus on colonic inflammation in interleukin-10-deficient (IL-10^−/−) mice, which spontaneously develop T-cell-mediated colitis.     

The effects of leflunomide on CD4<Superscript>+</Superscript>CD25<Superscript>+</Superscript>Foxp3<Superscript>+</Superscript> T regulatory cells in mice receiving allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Objective and design  

Leflunomide (LEF) is effective not only in different animal models of autoimmune diseases and the therapy of patients with rheumatoid arthritisbut also in graft rejection. The effect of LEF on CD4⁺CD25⁺T regulatory cells (Treg) was determined in a mouse model of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.     

Specific Immunotherapy to Birch Allergen Does not Enhance Suppression of Th2 Cells by CD4<Superscript>+</Superscript>CD25<Superscript>+</Superscript> Regulatory T Cells During Pollen Season

Introduction  

The aim of this study was to investigate the suppressive capacity of CD25⁺ regulatory T cells on birch allergen-induced T-cell responses during the first birch pollen season after initiation of specific immunotherapy (SIT).     

Detection of a CD4+CD8−CD3− cell subpopulation during the differentiation of cord blood CD34+ cells into T cells in vitro

Introduction:  

Umbilical cord blood contains relatively abundant primitive CD34⁺ hematopoietic progenitor cells which can differentiate into T lymphocytes ex vivo     

Reduction of the HIV-1 reservoir in resting CD4+ T-lymphocytes by high dosage intravenous immunoglobulin treatment: a proof-of-concept study

Background  

The latency of HIV-1 in resting CD4⁺ T-lymphocytes constitutes a major obstacle for the eradication of virus in patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). As yet, no approach to reduce this viral reservoir has proven effective.     

Consumers as tutors – legitimate teachers?

Background  

The aim of this study was to research the feasibility of training mental health consumers as tutors for 4^th year medical students in psychiatry.     

Co-transplantation of fetal bone tissue facilitates the development and reconstitution in human B cells in humanized NOD/SCID/IL-2Rγnull (NSG) mice

Background  

In terms of the function and reconstitution efficacy of human immune cells, co-transplantation of human fetal tissues, such as thymus and liver, with CD34⁺ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has potential advantages in the generation of humanized mice.     

Oral myeloid cells uptake allergoids coupled to mannan driving Th1/Treg responses upon sublingual delivery in mice

Background

Polymerized allergoids coupled to nonoxidized mannan (PM‐allergoids) may represent novel vaccines targeting dendritic cells (DCs). PM‐allergoids are better captured by DCs than native allergens and favor Th1/Treg cell responses upon subcutaneous injection. Herein we have studied in mice the in vivo immunogenicity of PM‐allergoids administered sublingually in comparison with native allergens.

Methods

Three immunization protocols (4‐8 weeks long) were used in Balb/c mice. Serum antibody levels were tested by ELISA. Cell responses (proliferation, cytokines, and Tregs) were assayed by flow cytometry in spleen and lymph nodes (LNs). Allergen uptake was measured by flow cytometry in myeloid sublingual cells.

Results

A quick antibody response and higher IgG2a/IgE ratio were observed with PM‐allergoids. Moreover, stronger specific proliferative responses were seen in both submandibular LNs and spleen cells assayed in vitro. This was accompanied by a higher IFNγ/IL‐4 ratio with a quick IL‐10 production by submandibular LN cells. An increase in CD4⁺CD25^highFOXP3⁺ Treg cells was detected in LNs and spleen of mice treated with PM‐allergoids. These allergoids were better captured than native allergens by antigen‐presenting (CD45⁺MHC‐II⁺) cells obtained from the sublingual mucosa, including DCs (CD11b⁺) and macrophages (CD64⁺). Importantly, all the differential effects induced by PM‐allergoids were abolished when using oxidized instead of nonoxidized PM‐allergoids.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate for the first time that PM‐allergoids administered through the sublingual route promote the generation of Th1 and FOXP3⁺ Treg cells in a greater extent than native allergens by mechanisms that might well involve their better uptake by oral antigen‐presenting cells.     

Molecular analysis of T-B-NK+ severe combined immunodeficiency and Omenn syndrome cases in Saudi Arabia

Background  

Children with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) lack autologous T lymphocytes and present with multiple infections early in infancy. Omenn syndrome is characterized by the sole emergence of oligoclonal auto-reactive T lymphocytes, resulting in erythroderma and enteropathy. Omenn syndrome (OS) shares the genetic aetiology of T^-B^-NK⁺ SCID, with mutations in RAG1, RAG2, or DCLRE1C.     

Gp91<Superscript>phox</Superscript> (NOX2) in classically activated microglia exacerbates traumatic brain injury

Background  

We hypothesized that gp91^phox (NOX2), a subunit of NADPH oxidase, generates superoxide anion (O₂ ^-) and has a major causative role in traumatic brain injury (TBI). To evaluate the functional role of gp91^phox and reactive oxygen species (ROS) on TBI, we carried out controlled cortical impact in gp91^phox knockout mice (gp91^phox-/-). We also used a microglial cell line to determine the activated cell phenotype that contributes to gp91^phox generation.     

Inadequate cytoplasmatic calcium signals in alveolar macrophages after cardiac surgery

Objective and design  

Patients undergoing cardiac surgery have an elevated risk for pulmonary complications. A dysfunction of alveolar macrophages (AM) might promote postoperative infections. Therefore intracellular calcium [Ca²⁺]_i as an important second messenger in cellular signaling was assessed in AM.     

Immunogenicity and safety of concomitant administration of a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (M-M-RvaxPro?) and a varicella vaccine (VARIVAX?) by intramuscular or subcutaneous routes at separate injection sites: a randomised clinical trial

Background  

When this trial was initiated, the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine was licensed for subcutaneous administration in all European countries and for intramuscular administration in some countries, whereas varicella vaccine was licensed only for subcutaneous administration. This study evaluated the intramuscular administration of an MMR vaccine (M-M-RvaxPro^?) and a varicella vaccine (VARIVAX^?) compared with the subcutaneous route.     

A 12-week regimen of caloric restriction improves levels of adipokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines in Korean women with BMIs greater than 23 kg/m2

Introduction  

Adipose tissue mass (ATM) is an important source of adipokines. Increases in ATM contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation characterized by high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We investigated the effects of body fat reduction on blood levels of adipokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines in Korean women with BMIs >23 kg/m².