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Purpose: This paper outlines the theoretical and empirical basis for compassion focused therapy (CFT) for psychosis, the gaps in the current knowledge and research, as well as some of the challenges for addressing gaps. It will guide the direction of future work and the steps needed to develop and advance this approach. Method: This paper reviews evidence of how evolutionary models such as social rank theory and attachment theory have greatly contributed to our understanding of psychosis and provide a clear rationale and evidence base for the mechanisms of change in CFT for psychosis. It reviews the evidence for outcomes of compassion training more generally, and early feasibility evaluations of CFT for psychosis. Results: The process evidence shows that people with psychosis have highly active social rank and threat systems, and the benefits of switching into attachment and care systems, which can support emotion regulation and integrative mind states. The outcomes evidence shows that compassion training impacts not only psychological outcomes, but also physiological outcomes such as neural circuits, immune system, and the autonomic nervous system. Within the psychosis field, outcomes research is still in the early days, but there are good indications of feasibility and a clear path forward for the next steps. Conclusions: CFT for psychosis is an approach that integrates biopsychosocial processes, an integration that's evidenced across each aspect of the model, from theoretical foundations (evolution‐informed) to interventions (e.g., body/breath training and relational techniques), to evaluation. Future RCTs are required to understand the effects on biopsychosocial outcomes for people with psychosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The level of immunological reactivity of the indigenous inhabitants of the Far North may depend on the extreme-discomfort factors of the climatic environment and genetic traits of the population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the distinctive elements of the immune status of the Kola Saami and Russians living in the Far North (Murmansk Region)., Methods: A complex immunological study of peripheral venous blood composition was performed and involved 67 Saami and 81 Russian inhabitants of the Far North (Murmansk Region) who were aged 21-55. Blood was collected from the cubital vein on an empty stomach in the morning. For the peripheral venous blood, we obtained a hemogram and phagocytic activity of neutrophils, determined the content of lymphocytes with CD4, CD8, CD16, and CD71 phenotypes by indirect immunoperoxidase reaction and flow cytometry using an Epics XL apparatus (Beckman Coulter, United States), obtained concentrations of IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-10, IgA, M, G, E, sCD54, and sCD62L, transferrin, and sCD71 by enzyme immunoassay using the "Evolis" enzyme immunoassay analyzer from Bio-RAD (Germany), and obtained circulating immune complexes by precipitation using 3.5%, 4.0%, and 7.5% PEG-6000. The sIgA content was determined in morning saliva, urine, and gastrointestinal tract secretions. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-criterion, and Pearson correlation coefficient., Results: A decrease in the total number of leukocyte cells in the Saami was associated with a high incidence of leukopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia. Deficiency in active phagocytes and serum IgA and sIgA concentrations was revealed as well as increased contents of CD4+ and CD8+ receptor lymphocytes, membrane and free adhesion molecules, and transferrin. Leukocytosis, lymphocytosis, neutrophilia, monocytosis, and eosinophilia with increased contents of natural killer cells, IL-6, and IL-10 were recorded more frequently in the Russians. High levels of IgE and IFN-γ, which have the most pronounced cytotoxicity and are indicative of strained immune mechanisms, were characteristic of the Saami and Russians., Conclusion: The distinctive aspects of the immune status of the Kola Saami is related to the deficit in the active phagocyte and serum IgA and sIgA concentrations as well as the increase in the contents of cytotoxic lymphocytes, intercellular adhesion molecules, transferrin, and IFN-γ proinflammatory cytokines. The Russian inhabitants of the Far North are characterized by an adaptive response manifested by an increase in antibody-dependent cytotoxicity, involving IL-6 and IL-10., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Simple Summary: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immature cells that expand in the circulation of patients with cancer, sepsis or chronic inflammation, modulate the immune response against cancer (favoring tumor onset and progression) and promote neoangiogenesis. These premises suggest that MDSCs could be involved in the pathogenesis of primary myelofibrosis (PMF) (a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by chronic inflammation and extensive neoangiogenesis in bone marrow and spleen). In this paper, we found that (1) MDSCs are increased both in the circulation and in the spleen of PMF patients and strongly correlate with disease progression; and (2) reduced CXCR4 expression on MDSCs along with increased plasmatic SDF-1α can be involved in their mobilization. These findings suggest that circulating MDSCs can be considered a parameter of disease severity and set MDSCs as potential new targets for cancer therapy. Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by a chronic inflammatory state that plays a relevant role in the disease pathogenesis (as proven by high levels of inflammatory cytokines with prognostic significance and by a persistent oxidative stress) and by extensive neoangiogenesis in bone marrow (BM) and spleen. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immature cells that expand in patients with cancer, sepsis or chronic inflammation, favoring tumor onset and progression mainly through the decrease in immune surveillance and the promotion of neoangiogenesis. In this paper, we evaluated the presence of circulating MDSCs in PMF patients, the plasmatic factors involved in their mobilization/expansion and the correlations with laboratory, genetic and clinical parameters. The data indicated that MDSCs could have a relevant role in PMF as a new pathogenic mechanism contributing to explaining the phenotypic diversity observed during the clinical course of the disease, or a potential new target for personalized treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a severe psychiatric illness known to be highly complex due to its difficulty in identifying genetic factors and its polygenic nature. While genetic studies and research into epigenetic changes have advanced our understanding of MDD, the precise role of genetics in MDD's manifestation remains elusive. This paper reviews the current state of research on MDD genetics, encompassing findings on MDD's biological blueprint and investigations into epigenetic modifications associated with MDD development. Furthermore, this paper explores the interplay between depression and the immune system and the impact of inflammation on the disorder. Neuroimaging studies have also impacted comprehension of MDD, revealing alterations in brain size and chemistry. These insights shed light on the biological underpinnings of MDD and hold promise for developing more effective treatments and therapies for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a highly malignant childhood brain tumor. Group 3 MB (Gr3 MB) is considered to have the most metastatic potential, and tailored therapies for Gr3 MB are currently lacking. Gr3 MB is driven by PRUNE-1 amplification or overexpression. In this paper, we found that PRUNE-1 was transcriptionally regulated by lysine demethylase LSD1/KDM1A. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of inhibiting both PRUNE-1 and LSD1/KDM1A with the selective inhibitors AA7.1 and SP-2577, respectively. We found that the pharmacological inhibition had a substantial efficacy on targeting the metastatic axis driven by PRUNE-1 (PRUNE-1-OTX2-TGFβ-PTEN) in Gr3 MB. Using RNA seq transcriptomic feature data in Gr3 MB primary cells, we provide evidence that the combination of AA7.1 and SP-2577 positively affects neuronal commitment, confirmed by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive differentiation and the inhibition of the cytotoxic components of the tumor microenvironment and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) by the down-regulation of N-Cadherin protein expression. We also identified an impairing action on the mitochondrial metabolism and, consequently, oxidative phosphorylation, thus depriving tumors cells of an important source of energy. Furthermore, by overlapping the genomic mutational signatures through WES sequence analyses with RNA seq transcriptomic feature data, we propose in this paper that the combination of these two small molecules can be used in a second-line treatment in advanced therapeutics against Gr3 MB. Our study demonstrates that the usage of PRUNE-1 and LSD1/KDM1A inhibitors in combination represents a novel therapeutic approach for these highly aggressive metastatic MB tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cells presented in this work are not classified as cells that make up the immune system. They, however, present functions and molecules, which are characteristic of immune cells. These characteristic functions are, for example, sensing threat, performing phagocytosis, presentation of foreign antigens, cytokine release or enhancing immune memory. The enlisted immune response mechanisms are carried out by the possession of molecules such as Toll-like receptors, receptors for the Fc fragment of IgG, major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, costimulatory CD80/CD86 proteins and molecules needed for NLRP3 (NOD-like family pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome activation. Thanks to these properties, the described nonimmune cells play an important role in the local immune response and support of the entire body in the fight against pathogens. They constitute the first line of defense of tissues and organs against pathogens and molecules recognized as harmful. The cells described in this article are particularly important in immunologically privileged places (e.g. the Bowman's capsule in the kidney), where "typical" immune cells normally do not have access. In this paper, we present immune-like functions and molecule suites of resident kidney cells (podocytes and mesangial cells), cochlear resident cells, fibrocytes and fibroblasts, as well as some stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells and umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived cells)., (© 2024 the Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology, Inc.)

Introduction: Looking into the literature, many articles accuse bacterial persister cells as important causes of infection relapse/recalcitrance. This opinion paper, highlights the knowledge gaps and scientific misconceptions in experimental procedures regarding the role of persisters in relapse/recalcitrance of infections and recommends a roadmap for investigations in this field. Conclusion: It is debated in this paper, that unless the queries and missing points are addressed clearly, persisters cannot be stigmatized as the culprit of infection relapse/recalcitrance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reinforcement, extinction, generalization and differentiation are all basic principles of Pavlov associative memory. Most memristive neural networks that simulate associative memory only consider reinforcement and extinction, while ignoring differentiation and generalization. In this paper, a memristive circuit of associative memory with generalization and differentiation is proposed to solve the above problem. It implements the functions of learning, forgetting, long-term memory, generalization and differentiation. Learning and forgetting correspond to reinforcement and extinction in associative memory respectively. Spontaneous recovery, in which forgotten reflexes can reappear in the absence of an unconditional stimulus, is also discussed here. Besides, a special differentiation method that takes into account the time delay is designed and demonstrated. The proposed memristive circuit of associative memory provides a reference for the theoretical research and application of artificial neural networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer treatment, but it can also induce immune suppression, which can have significant implications for patient outcomes. This review paper aims to give a general overview of how chemotherapy affects the immune system and how it affects cancer treatment. Chemotherapy can directly affect immune cells, leading to cytotoxic effects, cell differentiation and function alterations, and cell communication and signaling pathways disruptions. Such immune suppression can weaken the anti-tumor immune response and increase the risk of immune-related toxicities. Understanding the mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced immune suppression is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies. Strategies to mitigate immune suppression include immunomodulatory agents as adjuvants to chemotherapy, combination therapies to enhance immune function, and supportive care measures of the immune system. Additionally, identifying potential biomarkers to predict immune suppression and guide treatment decisions holds promise for personalized cancer medicine. Future directions in this field involve further elucidating underlying mechanisms, exploring novel combination therapies, and developing targeted interventions to minimize immune suppression. By understanding and addressing chemotherapy-induced immune suppression, we can optimize cancer treatment strategies, enhance the anti-tumor immune response, and improve patient outcomes., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a rare neuro-mucocutaneous disorder characterized by recurrent edema, facial palsies, and nerve dysfunctions often associated with the plicata tongue. Although the etiology of MRS is not well understood, there is growing evidence suggesting an autoimmune involvement. Case presentation: This paper presents a case report of a 25-year-old male with MRS as the initial symptom, followed by temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA). A comprehensive diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment approach including surgery, local injections, and oral medication were implemented, resulting in a favorable prognosis. Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis that MRS is a systemic granulomatous disease caused by autoimmunity, which may also influence the occurrence and development of TMJ-OA through immune-related mechanisms. This study emphasizes the significance of systemic immune regulation in the treatment of patients with MRS and TMJ-OA comorbid conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been growing interest in understanding the potential role of microbiota dysbiosis or alterations in the composition and function of human microbiota in the development of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). This systematic review evaluated the literature on CRSwNP and host microbiota for the last ten years, including mainly nasal bacteria, viruses, and fungi, following the PRISMA guidelines and using the major scientific publication databases. Seventy original papers, mainly from Asia and Europe, met the inclusion criteria, providing a comprehensive overview of the microbiota composition in CRSwNP patients and its implications for inflammatory processes in nasal polyps. This review also explores the potential impact of microbiota-modulating therapies for the CRSwNP treatment. Despite variability in study populations and methodologies, findings suggest that fluctuations in specific taxa abundance and reduced bacterial diversity can be accepted as critical factors influencing the onset or severity of CRSwNP. These microbiota alterations appear to be implicated in triggering cell-mediated immune responses, cytokine cascade changes, and defects in the epithelial barrier. Although further human studies are required, microbiota-modulating strategies could become integral to future combined CRSwNP treatments, complementing current therapies that mainly target inflammatory mediators and potentially improving patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The incidence of gastric cancer (GC) is increasing. Many people receive an advanced diagnosis of GC. Furthermore, a large number of patients are surgically inoperable and are unresponsive to preoperative chemotherapy. Patients with GC do not currently have an immunotherapy option. Our study's objective was to provide insight into extracellular vesicles (EVs) and GC. EVs in GC can be studied, as this article explains. EVs screening, which is available for all patients, is an option for combatting GC. Extracellular vesicles, or EVs, are membrane-bound nanocompartments produced by tumor cells. EVs carry proteins and nucleic acids from host cells to target cells, where they can transfer lipids, proteomes, and genetic material to change the function of target cells. EVs serve as reservoirs for mobile cellular signals. The collection of EVs using less invasive processes has piqued the interest of many researchers. Exosomes carry substances that can suppress the immune system. If the results of exosome screening are negative, immunotherapy will be beneficial for GC patients. In this study, we provide an update on EVs and GC based on ongoing review papers and clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contracting cancer typically induces a state of terror among the individuals who are affected. Exploring how chemotherapy and anxiety work together to affect the speed at which cancer cells multiply and the immune system's response model is necessary to come up with ways to stop the spread of cancer. This paper proposes a mathematical model to investigate the impact of psychological scare and chemotherapy on the interaction of cancer and immunity. The proposed model is accurately described. The focus of the model's dynamic analysis is to identify the potential equilibrium locations. According to the analysis, it is possible to establish three equilibrium positions. The stability analysis reveals that all equilibrium points consistently exhibit stability under the defined conditions. The bifurcations occurring at the equilibrium sites are derived. Specifically, we obtained transcritical, pitchfork, and saddle-node bifurcation. Numerical simulations are employed to validate the theoretical study and ascertain the minimum therapy dosage necessary for eradicating cancer in the presence of psychological distress, thereby mitigating harm to patients. Fear could be a significant contributor to the spread of tumors and weakness of immune functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The B cell receptor (BCR) is a membrane-bound protein complex that is required for the normal development of B cells. BCR signalling is also involved in the pathogenesis of B cell cancers. While there is substantial literature on genomic analyses of the BCR, there are limited proteomic studies of receptor structure and its interactions with neighbouring proteins. This is partly due to the location of the BCR in the surface-membrane lipid environment that has limited the ability to enrich the complex for proteomic analysis. Here, we report an enrichment technique that can be used for mass spectrometry analyses of the BCR from live B cells. B cells are central to the adaptive immune response and provide long-lasting immunity after infection. B cell activation is mediated by the surface membrane-bound B cell receptor (BCR) following recognition of a specific antigen. The BCR has been challenging to analyse using mass spectrometry (MS) due to the difficulty of isolating and enriching this membrane-bound protein complex. There are approximately 120,000 BCRs on the B cell surface; however, depending on the B cell activation state, there may be hundreds-of-millions to billions of proteins in a B cell. Consequently, advanced proteomic techniques such as MS workflows that use purified proteins to yield structural and protein-interaction information have not been published for the BCR complex. This paper describes a method for enriching the BCR complex that is MS-compatible. The method involves a Protein G pull down on agarose beads using an intermediary antibody to each of the BCR complex subcomponents (CD79a, CD79b, and membrane immunoglobulin). The enrichment process is shown to pull down the entire BCR complex and has the advantage of being readily compatible with further proteomic study including MS analysis. Using intermediary antibodies has the potential to enrich all isotypes of the BCR, unlike previous methods described in the literature that use protein G-coated beads to directly pull down the membrane IgG (mIgG) but cannot be used for other mIg isotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic bone metabolism disorder in which the immune system and bone metabolism interact., Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the research status, hot spots and trends regarding the influence of the immune system on OP and to provide a basis for research directions and applications in this field., Methods: We searched and collected literature about the immune system and OP published from 2012 to 2022 in the Web of Science Core Collection database. All the included studies were subjected to bibliometrics analysis using Hiplot Pro, VOSviewer and CiteSpace software to produce statistics and visual analyses of the literature output, countries, institutions, authors, keywords and journals., Results: A total of 1201 papers were included, and the number of citations of these articles reached 31,776. The number of publications and citations on the immune system and OP has increased year by year. The top three countries with the greatest number of papers published were China, the United States of America (USA) and Italy. The two institutions with the largest number of papers published were Sichuan University and Soochow University, both located in China. De Martinis Massimo (Italy) and Ginaldi Lia (Italy) are prolific authors in this field. The representative academic journals are Osteoporosis International, Frontiers in Immunology, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, PloS One and Bone. The results of the keyword cooccurrence analysis showed that the research topics in this field mainly focused on T cells, cytokines, signaling pathways, vitamin D, postmenopausal OP and immune diseases. The keyword burst results showed that zoledronic acid, chain fatty acids and gut microbiota are the frontiers and trends of future research on this topic., Conclusion: The influence of the immune system on OP has been widely studied, and the current research in this field focuses on the effect or mechanism of immune-related cytokines, signaling pathways and vitamin D on OP. Future research trends in this field should focus on the immune regulation mechanism and clinical transformation of zoledronic acid, chain fatty acids and the gut microbiota in OP., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Purpose: The immune system is influenced by many factors, including female sex hormones. The extent of this influence, however, is not completely understood so far. This systematic literature review aims at giving an overview of the existing concepts on how endogenous progesterone influences the female immune system along the menstrual cycle., Methods: The inclusion criteria were healthy female subjects in their reproductive age with a regular menstrual cycle. The exclusion criteria were exogenous progesterone, animal models, nonhealthy study populations and pregnancy. This led to 18 papers covered in this review. The search was performed using the databases EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE and Epub, and the last search was conducted on September 18, 2020. Our findings were analyzed in four categories: cellular immune defense, humoral immune defense, objective and subjective clinical parameters., Results: We demonstrated that progesterone acts in an immunosuppressive way, favoring a Th-2-like cytokine profile. Further, we showed that progesterone inhibits mast cell degranulation and relaxes smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, we found supporting evidence for a so-called window of vulnerability after ovulation, where immune functions are lowered and mediated through progesterone., Conclusion: The clinical relevance of these findings is not completely understood yet. As the sample sizes of included studies were rather small and the content of them was broad, further investigations are needed to define to which extent the described changes actually clinically meaningful, whether they are capable of influencing the female health and how these findings can be used to increase well-being., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition frequently found in rheumatological patients that sometimes raises diagnosis and management problems. The pathogenesis of the disease is complex and involves the activation of many cells and intracellular signaling pathways, ultimately leading to the activation of the innate and acquired immune system and producing extensive tissue damage. Along with joint involvement, RA can have numerous extra-articular manifestations (EAMs), among which lung damage, especially interstitial lung disease (ILD), negatively influences the evolution and survival of these patients. Although there are more and more RA-ILD cases, the pathogenesis is incompletely understood. In terms of genetic predisposition, external environmental factors act and subsequently determine the activation of immune system cells such as macrophages, neutrophils, B and T lymphocytes, fibroblasts, and dendritic cells. These, in turn, show the ability to secrete molecules with a proinflammatory role (cytokines, chemokines, growth factors) that will produce important visceral injuries, including pulmonary changes. Currently, there is new evidence that supports the initiation of the systemic immune response at the level of pulmonary mucosa where the citrullination process occurs, whereby the autoantibodies subsequently migrate from the lung to the synovial membrane. The aim of this paper is to provide current data regarding the pathogenesis of RA-associated ILD, starting from environmental triggers and reaching the cellular, humoral, and molecular changes involved in the onset of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome caused by uncontrollable immune dysregulation triggered by pathogen infection, characterized by high incidence, mortality rates, and disease burden. Current treatments primarily focus on symptomatic relief, lacking specific therapeutic interventions. The core mechanism of sepsis is believed to be an imbalance in the host's immune response, characterized by early excessive inflammation followed by late immune suppression, triggered by pathogen invasion. This suggests that we can develop immunotherapeutic treatment strategies by targeting and modulating the components and immunological functions of the host's innate and adaptive immune systems. Therefore, this paper reviews the mechanisms of immune dysregulation in sepsis and, based on this foundation, discusses the current state of immunotherapy applications in sepsis animal models and clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bioinspired approach to immune systems with a novel set of fuzzy rules is proposed in this paper to provide adaptability to sliding mode control. As multi-robotic systems have attracted the attention of researchers due to their variety of applications, as well as relevant control issues in practical demands, trajectory tracking and its extension to formation control are addressed. Despite its robustness, some disadvantages of first-order sliding mode control must be addressed, such as chattering and the need for a priori knowledge of the bounds of uncertainties and disturbances. Considering that an artificial immune system is a bioinspired approach provided with adaptive regulation mechanisms, this conception motivates the study and investigation of an adaptive strategy inspired by immunity. The leader–follower framework is used, and the nonholonomic differential-drive wheeled mobile robot model is considered. A fuzzy system based on the effect of the immunological reaction is designed, and an adaptation law is proposed to adjust the gain online. A fuzzy boundary layer method is also employed in replacement for the discontinuous control signal. Lyapunov's theorem proves the stability. The simulation and experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy, which is also compared with another control scheme of recent research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A severe condition of sepsis can be a complication of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which can occur in premature infants and becomes a medical challenge in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It is a multifactorial intestinal disease (can affect both the small and large intestine) that can lead to ischemia of the intestinal tissues that evolves into acute organ necrosis. One of these factors is that different types of nutrition can influence the onset or the progression of the disease. Cow-milk-based infant formulas have been shown to cause it in premature infants more frequently than human milk. Recently, nutrition has been shown to be beneficial after surgery. Several issues still under study, such as the pathogenesis and the insufficient and often difficult therapeutic approach, as well as the lack of a common and effective prevention strategy, make this disease an enigma in daily clinical practice. Recent studies outlined the emerging role of the host immune system and resident gut microbiota, showing their close connection in NEC pathophysiology. In its initial stages, broad-spectrum antibiotics, bowel rest, and breastfeeding are currently used, as well as probiotics to help the development of the intestinal microbiota and its eubiosis. This paper aims to present the current knowledge and potential fields of research in NEC pathophysiology and therapeutic assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Simple Summary: The infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is a major pathogen in the poultry industry due to its profound impact on the immune systems of young chickens. Various genetic types with distinct biological characteristics have been described. In this study, we evaluated the expression of different cytokines in the bursa of Fabricius and thymus over a 28-day experimental infection with two strains from the G1a (Classical) and G6 (ITA) genogroups. The G6 strain appeared to induce a more immediate immunosuppression, and unlike the G1a strain, did not show signs of gene expression recovery by the end of the study. This finding aligns with the higher replication level previously reported for the G6 and with the clinical outcome, as this genotype, although subclinical, has often been considered more immunosuppressive. Unlike other studies that focused on shorter periods post-infection, the patterns observed in this study were highly variable and complex, depending on the strain, tissue, and time point. Therefore, this study not only confirms the effect of strain/genogroup on immune system modulation but also highlights the importance of extended monitoring post-infection to better understand the intricate patterns and interactions with the host response. Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is a significant burden for poultry production and market due to both direct disease and induced immunosuppression. In the present study, the expression of different cytokines in the bursa of Fabricius and thymus was evaluated during a 28-day-long experimental infection with two strains classified in the G1a (Classical) and G6 (ITA) genogroups. Although both strains significantly affected and modulated the expression of different molecules, the G6 strain seemed to induce a delayed immune response or suppress it more promptly. A recovery in the expression of several mediators was observed in the G1a-infected group at the end of the study, but not in the G6 one, further supporting a more persistent immunosuppression. This evidence fits with the higher replication level previously reported for the G6 and with the clinical outcome, as this genotype, although subclinical, has often been considered more immunosuppressive. However, unlike other studies focused on shorter time periods after infection, the patterns observed in this paper were highly variable and complex, depending on the strain, tissue, and time point, and characterized by a non-negligible within-group variability. Besides confirming the strain/genogroup effect on immune system modulation, the present study suggests the usefulness of longer monitoring activities after experimental infection to better understand the complex patterns and interactions with the host response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor–immune system interactions are very complicated, being highly nonlinear and not well understood. A large number of tumors can potentially weaken the immune system through various mechanisms such as secreting cytokines that suppress the immune response. In this paper, we propose a tumor–immune system interaction model with a nonmonotonic immune response function and adoptive cellular immunotherapy (ACI). The model has a tumor-free equilibrium and at most three tumor-presence equilibria (low, moderate and high ones). The stability of all equilibria is studied by analyzing their characteristic equations. The consideration of nonmonotonic immune response results in a series of bifurcations such as the saddle-node bifurcation, transcritical bifurcation, Hopf bifurcation and Bogdanov–Takens bifurcation. In addition, numerical simulation results show the coexistence of periodic orbits and homoclinic orbits. Interestingly, along with various bifurcations, we also found two bistable scenarios: the coexistence of a stable tumor-free as well as a high-tumor-presence equilibrium and the coexistence of a stable-low as well as a high-tumor-presence equilibrium, which can show symmetric and antisymmetric properties in a range of model parameters and initial cell concentrations. The new findings indicate that under ACI, patients can possibly reach either a stable tumor-free state or a low-tumor-presence state in the presence of nonmonotonic immune response once the immune system is activated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucosal melanoma (MM) is a rare and aggressive form of melanoma with a poorer prognosis compared to other subtypes. Recent large-scale next-generation sequencing studies, including our own research, have demonstrated that the molecular characteristics and potential oncogenic drivers of MM differ significantly from those of cutaneous melanoma. The emergence of selective CDK4/6 inhibitors, already approved for use in breast cancer and undergoing phase III clinical trials for other solid tumors, represents a promising development in the treatment of MM. Recent studies have shown that CDK4/6 inhibitors not only induce cell cycle arrest but also play a crucial role in facilitating the interaction between tumor cells and the host immune system. Moreover, our findings indicate that dysregulation of cell cycle progression due to cyclin‐dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) amplification is a significant genetic characteristic in a substantial portion of MM cases. Targeting CDK4 in specific MM patients shows promise for precision cancer therapy, utilizing molecularly characterized MM patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models and clinical trials. This paper provides an overview of existing literature on CDK4/6 dysregulation in MM, as well as preclinical and clinical investigations on CDK4/6 inhibitors and potential combination therapies for MM treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition of human breast milk is an ideal combination of substances necessary for the healthy development of an infant's body while protecting from pathogens and the balanced development of the microbiota. Its composition is dynamic and changes with the age of the child, meeting their current needs. The study provides a thorough overview of human milk components, such as immunological components, growth factors, hormones, carbohydrates, lipids, minerals, and vitamins. Authors focus on capturing the most important aspects of the effects of these substances on a newborn's body, while also looking for specific connections and describing the effects on given systems. Supplementation and the use of ingredients are also discussed. The purpose of this paper is to present the current state of knowledge about the bioactive components of human milk and their impact on the growth, development, and health of the young child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Endometrial cancer is the sixth most common cancer among women worldwide, with an increasing mortality rate. The standard treatment of patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer has not changed significantly in recent decades. However, in recent years, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy that harnesses the body's immune system against cancer, particularly in advanced or recurrent cases, offering patients the possibility of better results and longer survival. Our critical review analyses recent findings in the literature in this field, focusing on the role of immunotherapy in the treatment of this disease. In particular, it focuses on the importance of molecular biology and highlights how this can change the choice of treatment, providing insights for future therapeutic strategies. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) has radically changed the history of endometrial cancer by outlining a new classification, based on its molecular characteristics. In the field of oncology, we are approaching the new era of molecular biology, particularly regarding endometrial cancer, with the increasing importance of targeted therapy. This paper is a review of phase III randomized controlled trials published in English between January 2019 and December 2023, comparing drugs of interest with standard adjuvant treatment and molecular subtypes in endometrial cancer. The use of immunotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy as therapy in patients with recurrent or advanced primary or metastatic endometrial cancer significantly improves the prognosis of these patients. The results show greater efficacy of all proposed treatments for mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR/MSI-H) patients compared to mismatch repair proficiency (pMMR) patients. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) are better in dMMR patients in all studies analysed. Immunotherapy has the potential to revolutionize the gynaecological cancer treatment landscape, offering a new pathway and new hope for endometrial cancer patients, improving their outcomes in the future. Given the exciting results obtained in dMMR/MSI-H patients, MMR status should be investigated in every patient with advanced endometrial cancer at the time of diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma is a really complex milieu, containing a wide variety of cells with specific tasks, belonging to both the mesenchimal and immunitary systems, the extracellular matrix, growth factors, proinflammatory cytokines, and translocated bacterial products. This intricate environment represents a source of potential targets in order to establish a wide and multitask therapeutic strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a malignant tumor that originates from hepatocytes in an inflammatory substrate due to different degrees of liver fibrosis up to cirrhosis. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the role played by the complex interrelationship between hepatocellular carcinoma and its microenvironment, capable of influencing tumourigenesis, neoplastic growth, and its progression or even inhibition. The microenvironment is made up of an intricate network of mesenchymal cells, immune system cells, extracellular matrix, and growth factors, as well as proinflammatory cytokines and translocated bacterial products coming from the intestinal microenvironment via the enterohepatic circulation. The aim of this paper is to review the role of the HCC microenvironment and describe the possible implications in the choice of the most appropriate therapeutic scheme in the prediction of tumor response or resistance to currently applied treatments and in the possible development of future therapeutic perspectives, in order to circumvent resistance and break down the tumor's defensive fort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic Dermatitis (AD), recognized as one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorders among children, is characterized by skin barrier dysfunction and immune system abnormalities. Historically viewed as a childhood condition, recent findings underscore a notable prevalence of AD in adults, prompting a critical examination of this demographic. Diagnosis hinges largely on subjective clinical assessments due to the absence of universally accepted biomarkers. Consequently, efforts are underway to identify dependable biomarkers to enhance diagnostic precision. This paper underscores the scarcity of AD diagnoses in adults despite its pediatric prominence, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and tailored diagnostic approaches in adult populations. Severity scores such as SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and dermatological life quality index (DLQI) play pivotal roles in evaluating disease severity and its impact on quality of life, guiding the development of personalized treatment strategies for adult AD patients. In this study, we aim to present four compelling cases of adult-onset atopic dermatitis, each offering unique insights into this increasingly recognized phenomenon. What makes these cases particularly noteworthy is the absence of any prior atopic history in two out of four patients, challenging the conventional understanding of AD as a condition predominantly linked to childhood. Moreover, the clinical presentation in all four cases was markedly atypical, underscoring the elusive nature of adult-onset AD diagnosis. In our investigation, interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 13 (IL-13), and Immunoglobulin E (IgE) were utilized as diagnostic biomarkers for our patient cohort. Given the established pivotal roles of IL-4 and IL-13 in AD pathogenesis, elevated serum levels of these biomarkers, although not universally endorsed, hold potential for diagnostic utility. Furthermore, heightened levels of IgE, indicative of allergic responses and inflammation inherent to the condition, emphasize its significance as a key biomarker and therapeutic target in AD management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a bounded smooth domain Ω ⊂ R 3 and with a positive parameter χ > 0 , this paper is devoted to investigating the global boundedness and asymptotic behavior of solutions to a immune chemotaxis system. By establishing the uniform boundedness of L ∞ -norm for immune cells and the uniform boundedness of L q -norm with q ∈ (3 , ∞) for the chemokines gradient, it is possible to identify a smallness condition on chemosensitivity χ that ensures global existence of classical solution to the model in a three-dimensional bounded domain. Moreover, to get exponential decay rate the smallness of (‖ M 0 ‖ L ∞ , ‖ A 0 ‖ L ∞) is pivotal, we shall see that the system still admits an energy type inequality, and an analysis thereof will show that any nontrivial solution approaches exponentially fast with respect to the topology in L ∞ (Ω) . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The alternative pathway of the complement system is implicated in the etiology of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Complement depletion with pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol are FDA-approved treatments for geographic atrophy in AMD that, while effective, have clinically observed risks of choroidal neovascular (CNV) conversion, optic neuritis, and retinal vasculitis, leaving room for other equally efficacious but safer therapeutics, including Poly Sialic acid (PSA) nanoparticle (PolySia-NP)-actuated complement factor H (CFH) alternative pathway inhibition. Our previous paper demonstrated that PolySia-NP inhibits pro-inflammatory polarization and cytokine release. Here, we extend these findings by investigating the therapeutic potential of PolySia-NP to attenuate the alternative complement pathway. First, we show that PolySia-NP binds CFH and enhances affinity to C3b. Next, we demonstrate that PolySia-NP treatment of human serum suppresses alternative pathway hemolytic activity and C3b deposition. Further, we show that treating human macrophages with PolySia-NP is non-toxic and reduces markers of complement activity. Finally, we describe PolySia-NP-treatment-induced decreases in neovascularization and inflammatory response in a laser-induced CNV mouse model of neovascular AMD. In conclusion, PolySia-NP suppresses alternative pathway complement activity in human serum, human macrophage, and mouse CNV without increasing neovascularization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA oncoviruses represent an intriguing subject due to their involvement in oncogenesis. These viruses have evolved mechanisms to manipulate the host immune response, facilitating their persistence and actively contributing to carcinogenic processes. This paper describes the complex interactions between DNA oncoviruses and the innate immune system, with a particular emphasis on the cGAS-STING pathway. Exploring these interactions highlights that DNA oncoviruses strategically target and subvert this pathway, exploiting its vulnerabilities for their own survival and proliferation within the host. Understanding these interactions lays the foundation for identifying potential therapeutic interventions. Herein, we sought to contribute to the ongoing efforts in advancing our understanding of the innate immune system in oncoviral pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to examine whether Buddhist ethics can improve the health and well-being of Buddhist practitioners during pandemics like COVID-19. It is hypothesized that diseases are part of suffering, and Buddhist teachings aim to eliminate the suffering of all beings. Buddhism also offers ethical codes of conduct for its practitioners to improve their health and well-being. So, the Buddha's teaching or Buddhist ethics, when practiced seriously, should be able to improve one's health, physically and mentally, enhancing the well-being of all Buddhist practitioners during the spread of all pandemics including COVID-19. The present study found that Buddhist ethical practices like the chanting of Buddhist suttas and the development of mindfulness, concentration/meditation, and insight (vipassanā) can improve both physical and mental health, which are important for dealing with any pandemic, tremendously. If the cores of Buddhist ethics (morality, meditation, and wisdom) are perfectly practiced, not only will one live with good physical and mental health but one also will be able to eliminate all the mental defilements that are the root causes of all illnesses and thus enter nibbāna, the state of mind that is beyond all sources of suffering including pandemics/epidemics. More specifically, this paper highlights a set of Buddhist practices, called four bhāvanās (types of development), that can be used to improve health and well-being during any pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the approval for the treatment of melanoma in 2014, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the therapy pattern across various malignancies. Coinciding with their frequent usage, their adverse effects, including fever, cannot be neglected. In the context of cancer diseases and cancer treatments, fever of unknown origin (FUO), which has long posed a challenge for clinicians in terms of diagnosis and management, brings forth new connotation and significance. In this paper review, we present the concept of ICIs-associated FUO, consider activated immune system and elevated cytokines as common mechanisms by which ICIs induce fever and various immune-related adverse events (irAEs), summarize and compare the primary etiologies of ICI-associated FUO, and compare it with conventional types of FUO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Eosinophils are a type of granulocyte key to immune system modulation seen in a number of disease processes. Nearly every major organ system can be connected to peripheral eosinophilia through a number of different disease processes, ranging from benign conditions to malignancy. In this paper, we review both common and rare causes of peripheral eosinophilia, their symptoms, and a framework for the workup of peripheral eosinophilia of unknown etiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative made immense progress after its establishment in 1988 as a consequence of high coverage with various poliovirus vaccines in all populations of the world. Problems have arisen in recent years, however, related to security issues in some countries, to the circulation of vaccine-derived polioviruses, and to the recognition that individuals with certain immune deficiencies can remain infected and infectious for many months or years. As natural infection and different vaccines have different effects on the immune system, the patterns of humoral and mucosal immunity to polioviruses in the world today are complex but are crucial to the ultimate success of the eradication initiative. This paper describes the background of the current situation and current immunological patterns and discusses their implications for managing population immunity to polioviruses in the years ahead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there are indications that many project organisations, including those involved in Large Infrastructure Projects, do not take Risk Management (RM) seriously, a closer look would suggest they would rather relegate it to an ad-hoc, optional extra, or nice-to-have practice. For instance, on a multi-billion Rand capital programme, the executive committee once turned down a seasoned RM practitioner; instead, an individual with no proper training was assigned to learn on the job. It is rare to come across a properly constituted RM team, with Risk Management professionals; if they have not merely appointed a lone ranger practitioner, RM would be neglected altogether. To many organisations, Risk Management is like a buckler one shall only raise when the situation around the project gets "risky", not something that should always remain activated. As a result, the entire concept of Risk Management is typically employed either at the project's outset or, more commonly, when setbacks or impending massive cost and schedule overruns threaten the project. The author contends that Risk Management should serve as the "immune system" for the project, not only when a threat lurks around--not like the near-blind man who only puts on his pair of glasses afterwards, to figure out how to come out of a ditch he could not see and has fallen in it. Is prevention (i.e., an ongoing approach to RM) not better than cure (i.e., a sporadic approach)?. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), is a promising method which has been widely applied in breast cancer lumpectomy. Although its effect on destructing remaining cancer cells was approved, maintaining or draining post intraoperative radiation therapy wound fluids (PIWF) is challenging. Moreover, the roles of immune cells in interaction with PIWFs have not been studied before which is the main investigation of this paper. Methods: Surgical wound fluids were collected from 24 IDC patients one day after lumpectomy. The patients were divided into control and IORT groups. The collected wound fluids were centrifuged for 20 minutes at 2000 rpm. The concentration of tumor-associated cytokines and inflammasomes were recorded using the immunoassays. Results: PIWFs stimulate the residue of cancer cells in cavity sides causing disease progression. Here we have focused on the effect of PIWFs on the proactivation or deactivation of WBCs in the tumor bed environment. By sequential imaging in time-transient intervals from the interaction between WBCs and cancer cells, PIWFs have no additive proactivating effect on immune cells. Conclusion: PIWFs have significant roles in proliferation of cancer cells but did not show an observable role in pro-activating immune cells against cancer cells. The functions of immune cells did not show any independent proactivation in the presence of PIWFs with respect to their activation in the presence of blood serum. It seems that draining the PIWFs may be required. In future research, we will use tumor samples of the patients instead of cell lines to better investigate the personalized immune-tumor interactions of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Total hip arthroplasty is indubitably a dominant elective surgery in orthopaedics, contributing to prodigious improvement in the quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis. One of the most potentially devastating complications of this operation is periprosthetic joint infection. Immunocompromised patients might be afflicted by infrequent low-virulence organisms not typically detected with conventional procedures. Consequently, employing advanced identification methods, such as the circumstantial sonication of orthopaedic implants, could be crucial to managing such cases. Case Presentation: We present a peculiar case of a 72-year-old female patient suffering from a chronic periprosthetic hip infection due to Corynebacterium striatum. The pathogen was only identified after rigorous sonication of the extracted implants. The overall management of this case was immensely exacting, primarily because of the patient's impaired immune system, and was finally treated with two-stage revision in our Institution. Literature Review: Although copious literature exists concerning managing periprosthetic hip infections, no concrete guidelines are available for such infections in multimorbid or immunocompromised patients with rare low-virulence microorganisms. Hence, a diagnostic work-up, antibiotic treatment and appropriate revision timeline must be determined. Sonication of extracted implants could be a powerful tool in the diagnostic arsenal, as it can aid in identifying rare microbes, such as Corynebacterium spp. Pertinent antibiotic treatment based on antibiogram analysis and apposite final revision-surgery timing are the pillars for effective therapy of such infections. Clinical Relevance: Corynebacterium striatum has been increasingly recognized as an emerging cause of periprosthetic hip infection in the last decade. A conspicuous rise in such reports has been observed in multimorbid or immunocompromised patients after the COVID-19 pandemic. This case is the first report of Corynebacterium striatum periprosthetic hip infection diagnosed solely after the sonication of extracted implants. This paper aims to increase awareness surrounding Corynebacterium spp. prosthetic joint infections, while highlighting the fields for further apposite research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tattoo-associated cutaneous reactions have become quite frequent given the increasing percentage of tattooed subjects globally and also in Italy. On the other hand, the increasing use of target therapy is showing the ability of these drugs to affect the immune system and also cause adverse tattoo-related reactions. In this paper, we report a case of a 42-year-old patient with stage-IIID melanoma undergoing treatment with Dabrafenib and Trametinib. The patient reported erythema, oedema and scaling in areas of the body containing a black tattoo, and, conversely, no signs and/or symptoms in areas with tattoos of a different color. Histopathological and immunohistochemical features indicated a lympho-histiocytic reaction with a granulomatous morphology, mainly distributed around the vessels and hair adnexa. By discussing the cases reported in the literature prior to ours, we concluded and provided the possible indications of the pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial immune systems (AIS), as nature-inspired algorithms, have been developed to solve various types of problems, ranging from machine learning to optimization. This paper proposes a novel hybrid model of AIS that incorporates cellular automata (CA), known as the cellular automata-based artificial immune system (CaAIS), specifically designed for dynamic optimization problems where the environment changes over time. In the proposed model, antibodies, representing nominal solutions, are distributed across a cellular grid that corresponds to the search space. These antibodies generate hyper-mutation clones at different times by interacting with neighboring cells in parallel, thereby producing different solutions. Through local interactions between neighboring cells, near-best parameters and near-optimal solutions are propagated throughout the search space. Iteratively, in each cell and in parallel, the most effective antibodies are retained as memory. In contrast, weak antibodies are removed and replaced with new antibodies until stopping criteria are met. The CaAIS combines cellular automata computational power with AIS optimization capability. To evaluate the CaAIS performance, several experiments have been conducted on the Moving Peaks Benchmark. These experiments consider different configurations such as neighborhood size and re-randomization of antibodies. The simulation results statistically demonstrate the superiority of the CaAIS over other artificial immune system algorithms in most cases, particularly in dynamic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulcers and chronic wounds are a large and expensive problem, costing billions of pounds a year and affecting millions of people. Electrical stimulation has been known to have a positive effect on wound healing since the 1960s and this has been confirmed in numerous studies, reducing the time to heal, and the incidence of adverse events such as infections. However, because each study used different parameters for the treatment, inclusion criteria and metrics for quantifying the success, it is currently hard to combine them statistically and gain a true picture of its efficacy. As such, electrical stimulation has not been universally adopted as a recommended treatment for various types of wound. This paper summarises the biological basis for electrical simulation treatment and reviews the clinical evidence for its effectiveness. Notable is the lack of research focused on the electrodes used to deliver electrostimulation treatment. However, a significant amount of work has been conducted on electrodes for other medical applications in the field of e-textiles. This e-textile work is reviewed with a focus on its potential in electrostimulation and proposals are made for future developments to improve future studies and applications for wound healing via electrical stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postbiotics are recognized as the most innovative, multidisciplinary biotechnological approach. Each year, the quantity of research results and patents grows. According to PubMed, around 250 research papers in the field of postbiotics were cited in 2023, followed by approximately 74 publications in early 2024. Concurrently, the global postbiotic market has grown significantly, becoming one of the most formidable markets in the biotic sector. Yet, there is no thorough analysis of the current progress of the postbiotics market or how research studies and discoveries can impact the quantity and quality of postbiotics. This review provides an insightful perspective on current consumer brands and highlights the latest therapeutic and non- therapeutic applications in the postbiotics market. In comparison to other therapeutic agents such as antibiotics, probiotics, and growth boosters, this review suggests that postbiotics are an effective and eco-friendly alternative therapy. Furthermore, postbiotics, an industrially sustainable technology, are highlighted, shedding light on the development of biotic markets. [Display omitted] • Postbiotics are a promising trend in both therapeutic and non-therapeutic markets. • Postbiotics enhance the immune system and strengthen defensive mechanisms against various disorders. • Postbiotics are an eco-friendly alternative to antibiotics and growth promoter therapies. • Postbiotic research enriches biotic markets by developing new detergents, biofuels, and artificial intelligence-based research tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a delayed cytokine-enhanced viral infection model incorporating nonlinear incidence and immune response is proposed and studied. The global stabilities of the equilibria of the model are characterized by constructing suitable Lyapunov functionals. The existence and properties of local Hopf bifurcation are discussed by regarding the immunity delay as the bifurcation parameter. Moreover, the global existence of Hopf bifurcation has been proved by regarding the immune delay as the bifurcation parameter. Numerical simulations are carried out to validate the obtained results. The results show that ignoring the cytokine-enhanced effect makes the infection risk underevaluated. The simulations show that increasing the immune delay destabilizes the model and generates a Hopf bifurcation and stability switches occurs. Moreover, it shows that immune delay may dominate the intracellular delays in such a viral infection model which means that the immune system of the host itself is complicated during virus infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a review of several selected talks presented at the CTTACC conference (Cellular Therapies in Trauma and Critical Care) held in Scottsdale, AZ in May 2023. This conference review highlights the potential for cellular therapies to "reset" the dysregulated immune response and restore physiologic functions to normal. Improvements in medical care systems and technology have increasingly saved lives after major traumatic events. However, many of these patients have complicated post-traumatic sequelae, ranging from short-term multi-organ failure to chronic critical illness. Patients with chronic critical illness have been found to have dysregulated immune responses. These abnormal and harmful immune responses persist for years after the initial insult and can potentially be mitigated by treatment with cellular therapies. The sessions emphasized the need for more research and clinical trials with cellular therapies for the treatment of a multitude of chronic illnesses: post-trauma, radiation injury, COVID-19, burns, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other chronic infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the properties melatonin is claimed to possess, are the immuno-inflammation inductive capacities that would be responsible of some of the paramount of activities melatonin is reported to have in most of the human pathological conditions. In the present paper, we measured the effect of melatonin on established cellular models of immuno-inflammation, and found none. The discrepancies are discussed, especially because those properties are reported at pharmacological concentration (1 μM and beyond) at which the melatonin receptors are desensitized by internalization, leading to putative non-receptor-dependent mechanism of action. • The melatonin enthusiasts are ruining Science reputation, by claiming facts that are often wishful thinking. • Melatonin is not able to boost most of the actors of the immune system, even at pharmacological concentrations. • We hope to be able to show that some of the activities of melatonin are pure fantasies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time of day affects how well the immune system responds to viral or bacterial infections. While it is well known that the immune system is regulated by the circadian clock, the dynamic origin of time-of-day-dependent immunity remains unclear. In this paper, we studied the circadian control of immune response upon infection of influenza A virus through mathematical modeling. Dynamic simulation analyses revealed that the time-of-day-dependent immunity was rooted in the relative phase between the circadian clock and the pulse of viral infection. The relative phase, which depends on the time the infection occurs, plays a crucial role in the immune response. It can drive the immune system to one of two distinct bistable states, a high inflammatory state with a higher mortality rate or a safe state characterized by low inflammation. The mechanism we found here also explained why the same species infected by different viruses has different time-of-day-dependent immunities. Further, the time-of-day-dependent immunity was found to be abolished when the immune system was regulated by an impaired circadian clock with decreased oscillation amplitude or without oscillations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recognition of smoking as an independent risk factor for lung cancer has become a widely accepted within the realm of respiratory medicine. The emergence of tumor immunotherapy has notably enhanced the prognosis for numerous late-stage cancer patients. Nevertheless, some studies have noted a tendency for lung cancer patients who smoke to derive greater benefit from immunotherapy. This observation has sparked increased interest in the interaction between smoking and the immune response to tumors in lung cancer. The concept of cancer immunoediting has shed light on the intricate and nuanced relationship between the immune system and tumors. Starting from the perspectives of immune surveillance, immune equilibrium, and immune evasion, this narrative review explores how smoking undermines the immune response against tumor cells and induces the generation of tumor neoantigens, and examines other behaviors that trigger tumor immune evasion. By elucidating these aspects, the review concludes that smoking is not conducive to tumor immunoediting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) begins with premature activation of enzymes, promoted by the immune system, triggering a potential systemic inflammatory response that leads to organ failure with increased mortality and a bleak prognosis. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a cytokine that may have a significant role in SAP. IL-22, a member of the IL-10 cytokine family, has garnered growing interest owing to its potential tissue-protective properties. Recently, emerging research has revealed its specific effects on pancreatic diseases, particularly SAP. This paper provides a review of the latest knowledge on the role of IL-22 and its viability as a therapeutic target in SAP. Highlights: 1. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a member of the IL-10 family of cytokines. 2. IL-22 is a potential indicator for monitoring organ dysfunction and severity of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). 3. IL-22 acts as a protective factor against acinar cell damage by suppressing autophagy and reducing the infiltration of inflammatory cells. 4. IL-22 alleviate SAP-induced multiorgan injury. 5. IL-22 protect SAP-induced intestinal barrier damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study a delayed HIV infection model with nonmonotonic immune response and perform stability and bifurcation analysis. Our results show that the delayed HIV infection system with nonmonotonic immune response has bistability and stable periodic solution appear. We find that both the uninfected and immune-free equilibria are globally asymptotically stable under certain conditions which are not affected by time delay. However, the time delay makes one immune equilibrium always unstable for τ ≥ 0 and also makes another immune equilibrium appear stability switches; meanwhile, the system will exhibit local Hopf bifurcation, global Hopf bifurcation, and saddle-node-Hopf bifurcation. Numerical simulations are carried out to verify our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Understanding the complex link between our gut health and general well-being has drawn more attention in recent years. Prebiotics can promote mineral absorption, influence metabolism, improve immune system regulation, and fight infections. Aim: This article focuses into the evolving paradigms in prebiotics research, highlighting their regulation, diverse applications, impact on diseases, and their growth on the global market. Discussion: Prebiotics are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS), novel foods and food additives by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), EU and Japan, respectively. The multifaceted applications of prebiotics go across various sectors, ranging from functional foods and dietary supplements to cosmetics. A comprehensive review of prebiotics' effects on human health and illness prevention is a significant strength of the paper. Prebiotics support a healthy microbiome by feeding helpful gut flora, which may reduce the risk of a variety of illnesses and improve general health. In parallel, it covers an overview of the prebiotics industry in the world, considering aspects including consumer knowledge of gut health and growing prebiotic demand. Conclusion: Prebiotics are anticipated to have a significant role in determining the direction of nutrition and preventive healthcare as research advances and consumer demand for natural health solutions rises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]