Review
Immunology
Hua Zhu, Siping Hu, Yuntao Li, Yao Sun, Xiaoxing Xiong, Xinyao Hu, Junjing Chen, Sheng Qiu
Summary: Ischemic stroke caused by cerebral artery occlusion is a major cause of chronic disability globally. Interleukins (ILs) play a bidirectional role in ischemic stroke by regulating the activation, multiplication, and differentiation of immune cells, as well as the inflammatory reaction. Interactions between different ILs in different immune cells also impact the outcome of ischemic stroke. This overview discusses the role of various ILs in ischemic stroke.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Wei Cai, Mengyan Hu, Chunyi Li, Ruizhen Wu, Danli Lu, Chichu Xie, Wei Zhang, Tiemei Li, Shishi Shen, Huipeng Huang, Wei Qiu, Quentin Liu, Yan Lu, Zhengqi Lu
Summary: Proper termination of cell-death-induced neural inflammation is crucial for tissue repair in acute ischemic stroke. FOXP3+ macrophages, a distinct subset of macrophages, display superactive phagocytic capacity and enhance macrophage metabolism through the facilitation of cargo metabolism. FOXP3+ macrophages could be a potential target for immunomodulatory therapy against acute ischemic stroke.
Review
Immunology
Dianhui Zhang, Jiaxin Ren, Yun Luo, Qianyan He, Ruoyu Zhao, Junlei Chang, Yi Yang, Zhen-Ni Guo
Summary: This review discusses the role of T cells in ischemic stroke, including mediators of recruitment, temporal course of infiltration, and mechanisms behind deleterious and beneficial effects. Research indicates conflicting roles of T cells in post-stroke inflammation and as potential therapeutic targets.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hong-yun Wang, Jun-rui Ye, Li-yuan Cui, Shi-feng Chu, Nai-hong Chen
Summary: Recent evidence suggests that regulatory T (Treg) cells play a crucial role in immune regulation after ischemic stroke (IS), but their effects on IS outcomes remain controversial. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which Treg cells modulate the immune responses induced by IS.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Daofeng Fan, Chong Zheng, Wenbao Wu, Yinjuan Chen, Dongping Chen, Xiaohong Hu, Chaoxiong Shen, Mingsheng Chen, Rongtong Li, Yangui Chen
Summary: This study investigated the association of eight variants of four matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes with ischemic stroke (IS) and examined whether interactions among these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) increase the risk of IS. The results showed that an MMP-9 rs17576 polymorphism is associated with increased IS risk in the Han Hakka population, and there is also an interaction between MMP-9 rs17576 and MMP-12 rs660599 that is associated with increased IS risk.
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jiejie Li, Yuesong Pan, Jie Xu, Shiyu Li, Mengxing Wang, Kehua Quan, Xia Meng, Hao Li, Jinxi Lin, Yilong Wang, Xingquan Zhao, Liping Liu, Yongjun Wang
Summary: Residual inflammatory risk only may predict recurrent stroke and poor functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, especially in those with large-artery atherosclerosis.
Review
Neurosciences
Meiling Bai, Ruize Sun, Bin Cao, Juan Feng, Jue Wang
Summary: Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death worldwide and the most common cause of disability in Western countries. Inflammation plays a vital role in the development and progression of ischemic stroke, and peripheral blood immune cells, particularly monocytes, are involved in the immune cascade after stroke.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Nan Wang, Yingying Yang, Baoshan Qiu, Ying Gao, Anxin Wang, Qin Xu, Xia Meng, Yuming Xu, Bo Song, Yongjun Wang, Yilong Wang
Summary: This study examines the relationship between the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and stroke prognosis. The results show that SII is closely related to the short- and long-term prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke, with higher SII values indicating a higher risk for poor outcomes.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yanfang Liu, Guangshuo Li, Jiaokun Jia, Xinmin Liu, Jiahuan Guo, Xingquan Zhao
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the association between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and 90-day functional independence in young adults with ischemic stroke or TIA. The results showed that a higher level of NLR was correlated with poorer functional outcomes at 90 days.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Tara M. Stanne, Annelie Angerfors, Bjorn Andersson, Cecilia Brannmark, Lukas Holmegaard, Christina Jern
Summary: This study profiles inflammation-related plasma proteins in ischemic stroke patients and controls, finding differentially regulated proteins during the acute-phase and later time points. These proteins may be involved in the pathogenesis and inflammatory processes of stroke.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Xiaowei Zheng, Chongke Zhong, Zhengbao Zhu, Kaixin Zhang, Hao Peng, Tian Xu, Xiaoqing Bu, Bizhong Che, Tan Xu, Aili Wang, Jing Chen, Yonghong Zhang, Jiang He
Summary: This study found that the prognostic value of MMP-9 in ischemic stroke patients is modified by the patients' dyslipidemia status, suggesting that increased MMP-9 is associated with poor prognosis only in patients with dyslipidemia. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore potential mechanisms.
NUTRITION METABOLISM AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Hanming Ge, Xiaojuan Ma, Jiachen Wang, Xiaobo Zhang, Yu Zhang, Qi Zhang, Wu Li, Jie Liu, Jinwei Duan, Wenzhen Shi, Ye Tian
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between MMP-9 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to ischemic stroke. Genotyping of 700 ischemic stroke patients and 700 healthy controls revealed a significant association between rs2250889 polymorphism and susceptibility to ischemic stroke. Multifactor dimensionality reduction analysis identified rs2250889 as the best model for predicting the risk of ischemic stroke.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Song-Bin Yang, Xiao-Liu Li, Kai Li, Xin-Xin Zhang, Mei Yuan, Yi-Sha Guo, Xia Bi
Summary: This study reports the synthesis and functionalization of monodisperse hollow structured MnO2, which showed protective effects on ischemic stroke after successive modification.
NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Hua Zhu, Yonggang Zhang, Yi Zhong, Yingze Ye, Xinyao Hu, Lijuan Gu, Xiaoxing Xiong
Summary: Stroke is the leading cause of disability and mortality in the world, and neovascularization plays a critical role in long-term neurologic recovery after ischemic stroke. Immune cells, cytokines, and growth factors are involved in the regulation of angiogenesis, but the mechanism of inflammation-mediated angiogenesis is not fully understood.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Xingzhi Wang, Shenyang Zhang, Bingchen Lv, Hao Chen, Wei Zhang, Liguo Dong, Lei Bao, Miao Wang, Yan Wang, Wenqi Mao, Likun Cui, Ye Pang, Fei Wang, Fuling Yan, Zuohui Zhang, Guiyun Cui
Summary: This study investigated the role of circPTP4A2 in microglial polarization after ischemic stroke and found that circPTP4A2 plays a critical role in driving STAT3-dependent microglial polarization and stimulating neuroinflammation. Knockdown of circPTP4A2 reduced cerebral ischemic injury and promoted microglial M2 polarization, suggesting circPTP4A2 as a potential therapeutic target for ischemic stroke.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jonas Herzberg, Tanja Vollmer, Bastian Fischer, Heiko Becher, Ann-Kristin Becker, Human Honarpisheh, Salman Yousuf Guraya, Tim Strate, Cornelius Knabbe
Summary: In this study, a longitudinal observational study was conducted among employees at a secondary care hospital affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study compared the humoral immune response after natural infection or vaccination with different vaccines. The results showed that two doses of BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine resulted in a 100% humoral response rate. The antibody response after one dose of BNT162b2 or Vaxzevria was not significantly different from that after previous PCR-confirmed infection, but significantly lower than that after two doses of BioNTech/Pfizer. Smoking had a negative effect on the antibody response.
Article
Oncology
Nadia Obi, Stefan Werner, Frank Thelen, Heiko Becher, Klaus Pantel
Summary: Bone fractures in breast cancer patients may increase the risk of metastasis, particularly bone metastasis. Fall prevention programs may have potential clinical implications for cancer patients.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Christina Dornquast, Thomas Reinhold, Saliha Solak, Melike Durak, Heiko Becher, Burgi Riens, Katja Icke, Ina Danquah, Stefan N. Willich, Thomas Keil, Lilian Krist
Summary: The study demonstrates that retention rates among adults of Turkish descent can be significantly increased through additional levels of contact, particularly through home visits. Participants were more likely to be non-smokers and German citizens compared to non-participants.
JOURNAL OF IMMIGRANT AND MINORITY HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Tabea Maurer, Matthias Hans Belau, Julia von Grundherr, Zoe Schlemmer, Stefan Patra, Heiko Becher, Karl-Heinz Schulz, Birgit-Christiane Zyriax, Barbara Schmalfeldt, Jenny Chang-Claude
Summary: The pilot study aimed to evaluate the safety and acceptance of a combined exercise and nutrition intervention during and after first-line chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer patients. The study demonstrated safety and acceptance, leading to plans for a larger multicenter RCT to investigate effectiveness on survival and quality of life aspects.
Article
Biology
Mariliis Jaago, Nadezda Pupina, Annika Rahni, Arno Pihlak, Helle Sadam, Nihal Engin Vrana, Juha Sinisalo, Pirkko Pussinen, Kaia Palm
Summary: This study finds that antibodies against antigens present in oral biofilm may serve as potential biomarkers for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The authors investigate the antibody response to periodontal pathogens and find that patients with ACS have little or no immune response to a specific antigen epitope. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the immune mechanisms linking oral health to severe heart conditions such as ACS.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Laura Lahdentausta, Anne Kivimaki, Lotta Oksanen, Marika Tallgren, Sampo Oksanen, Enni Sanmark, Aino Salminen, Ahmed Geneid, Mikko Sairanen, Susanna Paju, Kalle Saksela, Pirkko Pussinen, Milla Pietiainen
Summary: This study examined the usefulness of dried spot blood and saliva samples in analyzing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The results showed that the level of exposure was the strongest determinant of all blood antibody classes and saliva IgG. Both blood and saliva IgG levels followed similar trends to the exposures reported in the questionnaires. Self-collected dry blood and saliva spot samples combined with the GSP/DELFIA technique are valuable tools for investigating an individual's immune response to SARS-CoV-2 exposure or vaccination. Saliva IgG has high potential to monitor vaccination response wane.
MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
K. Divaris, S. Haworth, J. R. Shaffer, V Anttonen, J. D. Beck, Y. Furuichi, B. Holtfreter, D. Jonsson, T. Kocher, S. M. Levy, P. K. E. Magnusson, D. W. McNeil, K. Michaelsson, K. E. North, U. Palotie, P. N. Papapanou, P. J. Pussinen, D. Porteous, K. Reis, A. Salminen, A. S. Schaefer, T. Sudo, Y. Q. Sun, A. L. Suominen, T. Tamahara, S. M. Weinberg, P. Lundberg, M. L. Marazita, I Johansson
Summary: Genetic risk factors play a crucial role in the development of oral, dental, and craniofacial diseases. Understanding the molecular biology of these risk loci can lead to new prevention and management strategies. The Gene-Lifestyle Interactions and Dental Endpoints consortium (GLIDE2) aims to identify relevant risk loci and address data analytics challenges in order to advance our knowledge of oral health genomics.
JOURNAL OF DENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Anja Holz, Maya Riefflin, Christoph Heesen, Karin Riemann-Lorenz, Nadia Obi, Heiko Becher
Summary: This study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis on the influence of breastfeeding during infancy on the risk of developing MS. The results suggest that breastfeeding may have a small protective effect on MS risk.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Kajsa Roslund, Markku Lehto, Pirkko Pussinen, Markus Metsala
Summary: This study measured the composition of VOCs in the morning breath of 30 healthy individuals before and after tooth brushing. They identified 35 VOCs that significantly decreased in breath after tooth brushing, indicating their microbial origin. Moreover, they compared the concentrations of these VOCs to their odor thresholds and found several compounds, including volatile sulfur compounds, that could contribute to breath odor.
JOURNAL OF BREATH RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gisella Figlioli, Amandine Billaud, Thomas U. Ahearn, Natalia N. Antonenkova, Heiko Becher, Matthias W. Beckmann, Sabine Behrens, Javier Benitez, Marina Bermisheva, Marinus J. Blok, Natalia Bogdanova, Bernardo Bonanni, Barbara Burwinkel, Nicola J. Camp, Archie Campbell, Jose E. Castelao, Melissa H. Cessna, Stephen J. Chanock, Kamila Czene, Peter Devilee, Thilo Doerk, Christoph Engel, Mikael Eriksson, Peter A. Fasching, Jonine D. Figueroa, Marike Gabrielson, Manuela Gago-Dominguez, Montserrat Garcia-Closas, Anna Gonzalez-Neira, Felix Grassmann, Pascal Guenel, Melanie Gundert, Andreas Hadjisavvas, Eric Hahnen, Per Hall, Ute Hamann, Patricia A. Harrington, Wei He, Peter Hillemanns, Antoinette Hollestelle, Maartje J. Hooning, Reiner Hoppe, Anthony Howell, Keith Humphreys, Agnes Jager, Anna Jakubowska, Elza K. Khusnutdinova, Yon-Dschun Ko, Vessela N. Kristensen, Annika Lindblom, Jolanta Lissowska, Jan Lubinski, Arto Mannermaa, Siranoush Manoukian, Sara Margolin, Dimitrios Mavroudis, William G. Newman, Nadia Obi, Mihalis Panayiotidis, Muhammad U. Rashid, Valerie Rhenius, Matti A. Rookus, Emmanouil Saloustros, Elinor J. Sawyer, Rita K. Schmutzler, Mitul Shah, Reijo Sironen, Melissa C. Southey, Maija Suvanto, Rob A. E. M. Tollenaar, Ian Tomlinson, Therese Truong, Lizet E. van der Kolk, Elke M. van Veen, Barbara Wappenschmidt, Xiaohong R. Yang, Manjeet K. Bolla, Joe Dennis, Alison M. Dunning, Douglas F. Easton, Michael Lush, Kyriaki Michailidou, Paul D. P. Pharoah, Qin Wang, Muriel A. Adank, Marjanka K. Schmidt, Irene L. Andrulis, Jenny Chang-Claude, Heli Nevanlinna, Georgia Chenevix-Trench, D. Gareth Evans, Roger L. Milne, Paolo Radice, Paolo Peterlongo
Summary: Evidence from the BRIDGES study suggests that germline protein truncating variants (PTVs) in FANCM are associated with increased risk of ER-negative and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), particularly for those with a family history. This study further investigates the association between FANCM missense variants (MVs) and breast cancer risk using the BRIDGES study, analyzing a total of 689 MVs. The results indicate that FANCM MVs may be low/moderate risk factors for ER-negative and TNBC subtypes of breast cancer.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mervi Gursoy, Jaana Rautava, Pirkko Pussinen, Anna Karin Kristoffersen, Morten Enersen, Vuokko Loimaranta, Ulvi Kahraman Gursoy
Summary: This study evaluated the levels of IgA and IgG antibodies against Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Prevotella intermedia in the saliva of Crohn's disease patients. Higher levels of salivary IgG2 and IgG3 antibodies, as well as IgG antibodies against P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and P. intermedia, were detected in Crohn's disease patients. The carriage of P. gingivalis in the saliva was lower in Crohn's disease patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ida Aulanko, Enni Sanmark, Lotta Oksanen, Sampo Oksanen, Laura Lahdentausta, Anne Kivimaeki, Susanna Paju, Milla Pietiaeinen, Pirkko Pussinen, Ahmed Geneid
Summary: This study aimed to increase knowledge about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on working conditions in tertiary and primary healthcare. The findings demonstrate that primary healthcare workers had poorer working conditions and wellbeing compared to tertiary healthcare workers. They experienced more stress at work, had difficulty recovering from work, reported mental wellbeing below normal levels, and had increased working hours. Therefore, the study suggests that the challenges in the health and wellbeing of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic are even greater in primary care than in tertiary care.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Nele Fogelholm, Jaakko Leskela, Muhammed Manzoor, Jacob Holmer, Susanna Paju, Kaija Hiltunen, Hanna-Maria Roitto, Riitta Kt Saarela, Kaisu Pitkala, Maria Eriksdotter, Kare Buhlin, Pirkko J. Pussinen, Paivi Mantyla
Summary: Oral health and declining cognition may have a bi-directional association. The composition of the subgingival microbiota was analyzed in subjects with normal cognition to severe cognitive decline. The study found that certain taxa of oral bacteria were associated with the MMSE score, and Lachnospiraceae [XIV] increased with decreasing MMSE. Impaired cognition is accompanied by changes in the composition of the oral microbiota, highlighting the importance of oral health-care practices among older adults.
JOURNAL OF ORAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Lili Yu, Yigit Firatli, Samira Elmanfi, Mervi Gursoy, Meltem Ozdemir Kabalak, Gokhan Kasnak, Pirkko Pussinen, Floris J. Bikker, Feriha Caglayan, Erhan Firatli, Ulvi Kahraman Gursoy
Summary: The study aimed to localize MCPIP-1 and MALT-1 in gingival tissues and profile their protein expression levels in relation to inflammation, P. gingivalis colonization, and IL-8 levels. The results showed that MCPIP-1 was present in the epithelium and connective tissue, while MALT-1 was observed in all layers of the gingival epithelium and around inflammatory cells. There was no difference in MCPIP-1 and MALT-1 levels based on gingival inflammation severity, but MALT-1 levels were elevated with an increase in P. gingivalis levels and showed an association with IL-8 levels.
CLINICAL ORAL INVESTIGATIONS
(2023)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
A. Salminen, A. M. Maatta, P. Mantyla, J. Leskela, M. Pietiainen, K. Buhlin, A. L. Suominen, S. Paju, W. Sattler, J. Sinisalo, P. J. Pussinen
Summary: This study investigates the systemic metabolic signatures of oral diseases and finds associations between current or past infectious/inflammatory oral diseases and circulating metabolites. Periodontitis, in particular, is associated with metabolic profiles typical for inflammation, suggesting that oral diseases may represent a modifiable risk factor for systemic chronic inflammation and cardiometabolic disorders.
JOURNAL OF DENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
