Article
Pediatrics
Lisa Biswas, Noreen Crain, Michael C. Spaeder, Robert J. Gomez, Meghan Starolis, Melinda D. Poulter, Steven L. Zeichner
Summary: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a serious late complication of COVID-19 with unknown pathogenesis and immune activation. Research has shown a potential association between MIS-C and the presence of HHV-6, suggesting a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Aytug Altundag, Dastan Temirbekov, Cemal Haci, Duzgun Yildirim, Melih Cayonu
Summary: This study retrospectively investigated the anatomical features of the olfactory cleft in patients with postviral or postinfectious olfactory loss (PIOL). The results showed that patients with PIOL had significantly increased OC width and volume than the healthy controls, suggesting an extra-wide olfactory cleft as a predisposing factor for PIOL.
Review
Cell Biology
Adam R. Bothwell, Susan M. Resnick, Luigi Ferrucci, Qu Tian
Summary: In aging, olfactory deficits have been associated with lower cognition and motor function. Olfactory dysfunction is also one of the earliest features of neurodegenerative disease. This review summarizes the relationship between brain structural and functional measures and olfaction in older adults, highlighting that lower olfactory function is associated with smaller volumes in specific brain areas important for motor function and cognition, especially memory. Future longitudinal studies with neuroimaging across different brain areas are needed to understand the neurobiological changes underlying olfactory changes in the aging brain and the progression of neurodegeneration.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Michiko Shimoda, Tomoki Inagaki, Ryan R. Davis, Alexander Merleev, Clifford G. Tepper, Emanual Maverakis, Yoshihiro Izumiya
Summary: Kaposi's sarcoma-associated virus uses vIL-6 to activate STAT1 and 3, induce inflammatory gene expression, promote proliferation and differentiation of monocytes into macrophages, and maintain KSHV transcription, allowing the virus to escape from immune surveillance.
Article
Biology
Natsuki Hamada, Hideo Shigeishi, Iori Oka, Mio Sasaki, Honami Kitasaki, Mariko Nakamura, Kanako Yano, Chia-Hsin Wu, Yoshino Kaneyasu, Tomoko Maehara, Masaru Sugiyama, Kouji Ohta
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the association between oral human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) and HHV-7 infection and periodontitis. Tongue swab samples from 74 older adults were analyzed for oral HHV-6 and HHV-7 DNA. HHV-7 infection was significantly associated with a deep periodontal pocket, higher positive rate of a >= 6-mm periodontal pocket with bleeding on probing (BOP), and higher periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) values. However, there was no significant association between HHV-7 and lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrea Slezia, Panna Hegedus, Evgeniia Rusina, Katalin Lengyel, Nicola Solari, Attila Kaszas, Diana Balazsfi, Boris Botzanowski, Emma Acerbo, Florian Missey, Adam Williamson, Balazs Hangya
Summary: Studying animal models allows us to better understand the mechanisms of Parkinson's disease. However, current models mainly focus on late-stage symptoms, leaving a gap in our knowledge of early-stage changes. In this study, a graded-dose unilateral 6-OHDA model was established in mice, and the behavioral, neuronal, and ultrastructural features were analyzed within the first two weeks of lesion induction. The results showed that mild degeneration of dopaminergic neurons can lead to motor deficits shortly after striatal lesions, suggesting that this model can be used to study the early stages of Parkinson's disease in mice.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Mrinal Samtiya, Karl R. Matthews, Tejpal Dhewa, Anil Kumar Puniya
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global concern that can negatively impact human health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The contamination of food with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and/or resistance genes can occur at any stage, from production to retail. Preventing the spread of foodborne pathogens and ensuring food safety and security require national and international efforts. It is crucial to control antibiotic use in both animal and crop agriculture to mitigate the risk of AMR bacteria in humans.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Qiong Ma, Xiudong Shi, Guochao Chen, Fengxiang Song, Fengjun Liu, Huang Zheng, Yuxin Shi, Dan-Chao Cai
Summary: This study focused on HIV-infected homosexual men and found structural alterations in the limbic system and cerebellum, as well as functional abnormalities in the limbic, cerebellum, and visual network. Controlling for sexual orientation allowed for a more accurate understanding of the impact of HIV infection on neurocognitive function.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Irene Soffritti, Maria D'Accolti, Gloria Ravegnini, Maria-Cristina Arcangeletti, Clara Maccari, Flora De Conto, Adriana Calderaro, Elisabetta Caselli
Summary: Viral infections, particularly by HCMV and HHV-6, may play a role in the onset and progression of systemic sclerosis by modulating miRNA expression and causing cell fibrosis, potentially serving as biomarkers for SSc diagnosis, assessment of disease progression, and antifibrotic therapies.
Article
Microbiology
Rodrigo Rollin-Pinheiro, Daniel Clemente de Moraes, Brayan Bayona-Pacheco, Jose Alexandre da Rocha Curvelo, Giulia Maria Pires dos Santos-Freitas, Mariana Ingrid Dutra da Silva Xisto, Luana Pereira Borba-Santos, Sonia Rozental, Antonio Ferreira-Pereira, Eliana Barreto-Bergter
Summary: Candida species are important pathogens causing fungal infections in humans. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of aureobasidin A in combination with fluconazole against Candida biofilms and its protective effect in an animal infection model. Treatment with aureobasidin A leads to increased oxidative stress, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and chitin content, altered morphology, enhanced DNA leakage, and greater susceptibility to sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). It also seems to inhibit the efflux pump CaCdr2p.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jessica Yu, Filip Morys, Alain Dagher, Annie Lajoie, Teresa Gomes, Elena Younhye Ock, R. John Kimoff, Marta Kaminska
Summary: This study investigated the interrelations between subjective sleep-related symptoms, obesity, cardiometabolic disorders, brain structure, and cognitive decline. The results showed that sleep-related symptoms were associated with obesity and cardiometabolic disturbances, which in turn were related to brain structural changes and cognitive dysfunction. The study found that sleep-related symptoms were important risk factors for cognitive dysfunction in the aging population.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Annika Reimers, Chiara A. Hummel, Anna Maria Eis-Huebinger, Rainer Surges, Pitt Niehusmann, Susanne Schoch, Albert J. Becker, Julika Pitsch
Summary: The study found a higher incidence of specific autoantibodies in adults with early diagnosis of possible limbic encephalitis (LE). Anti-LGI1 antibodies were significantly more frequent in the early diagnosis group compared to the late diagnosis group. Viral HHV-6 DNA was only detected in one serum sample of the early diagnosis group, with no evidence in the late diagnosis group.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Liang Gao, Qiang Xue, Shun Gong, Gaoyi Li, Wusong Tong, Mingxia Fan, Xianzhen Chen, Jia Yin, Yu Song, Songyu Chen, Jingrong Huang, Chengbin Wang, Yan Dong
Summary: This study found that patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression, and also showed changes in the structure and function of the substantia nigra. These alterations may be associated with post-traumatic anxiety and depression.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Marie Brossard-Racine, Ashok Panigrahy
Summary: Most neonates with complex congenital heart disease who undergo surgery can survive to adulthood, but many may experience functional challenges due to atypical neurodevelopment. Advances in neuroscience and magnetic resonance imaging have allowed studies to identify brain alterations in these survivors. However, the functional consequences of these brain differences are not always clear, and more research is needed to explore a broader range of outcomes.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Vasiliy V. Reshetnikov, Kseniya A. Ayriyants, Yulia A. Ryabushkina, Nikita G. Sozonov, Natalya P. Bondar
Summary: The study found that early-life stress did not alter social behavior in mice, but did affect their levels of locomotor activity and anxiety, with effects varying depending on strain and sex.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sandra Skuja, Simons Svirskis, Modra Murovska
Summary: The study evaluated the infection of HHV-6 and -7 in the brain, finding higher expression of HHV-7 in the temporal gray matter of patients with unspecified encephalopathy. Additionally, HHV-6 predominantly infected oligodendrocytes, while HHV-7 was detected in both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Gracjan Rozanski, Derek Pheby, Julia L. Newton, Modra Murovska, Pawel Zalewski, Joanna Slomko
Summary: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a common chronic liver disease worldwide. Currently, there is no effective pharmacological therapy for this disease. Intermittent fasting shows potential as a non-pharmacological alternative, but further studies are needed to determine its effectiveness for MAFLD.
Article
Microbiology
Alina Sultanova, Maksims Cistjakovs, Liba Sokolovska, Egils Cunskis, Modra Murovska
Summary: The study of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) involvement in autoimmunity development is challenging due to its complex nature. HHV-6, a ubiquitous, lifelong persistent, and immunomodulating virus, may play a role in autoimmune thyroiditis development through its encoded viral chemokine receptors.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sandra Skuja, Nityanand Jain, Marks Smirnovs, Modra Murovska
Summary: This study investigated the effects of chronic alcoholism on the basement membrane of the blood-brain barrier. It found that alcohol consumption leads to a loss of basement membrane integrity and aggregation of proteins. These structural changes may compromise the blood-brain barrier, making the brain more susceptible to toxins.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Slawomir Kujawski, Joanna Slomko, Beata R. Godlewska, Agnieszka Cudnoch-Jedrzejewska, Modra Murovska, Julia L. Newton, Lukasz Sokolowski, Pawel Zalewski
Summary: This study examined the effects of static stretching and whole body cryotherapy on individuals with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The results showed that the combination of static stretching and whole body cryotherapy reduced fatigue in CFS patients and improved cognitive functioning. The study also demonstrated that whole body cryotherapy was well tolerated and led to symptomatic improvements associated with cardiovascular and autonomic function.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sabine Gravelsina, Anda Vilmane, Simons Svirskis, Santa Rasa-Dzelzkaleja, Zaiga Nora-Krukle, Katrine Vecvagare, Angelika Krumina, Iana Leineman, Yehuda Shoenfeld, Modra Murovska
Summary: This study analyzed the association between the severity of ME/CFS clinical course, HHV-6A/B infection markers, and plasma levels of autoantibodies against adrenergic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. It found that patients with higher viral load had a more severe course of the disease. The levels of anti-M4 and anti-beta 2AdR antibodies were elevated in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls, regardless of disease severity. These antibodies could be used as clinical biomarkers for ME/CFS.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Diana Araja, Angelika Krumina, Zaiga Nora-Krukle, Uldis Berkis, Modra Murovska
Summary: This study analyzed publicly available data on suspected COVID-19 vaccine-related adverse reactions in Europe. The results demonstrate the predominant medical conditions induced after vaccination and their association with vaccine groups. The study also evaluated the data accessibility on a specific syndrome, ME/CFS. The information obtained from this study could be useful for health professionals, patients, researchers, and medicine manufacturers.
Article
Medical Ethics
Nityanand Jain, Andrei Tanasov, Swarali Yatin Chodnekar, Akvile Rakauskaite, Edouard Lansiaux, Sandra Skuja, Aigars Reinis
Summary: The sudden spread of the monkeypox virus has led to increased scientific interest, with over 1,400 PubMed-indexed documents authored by about 5,800 unique authors. More than 30% of the documents are Quantitative Productivity (QP), illustrating emerging trends. There are also hyper-prolific authors previously identified in the COVID-19 literature, indicating continued interest in publishing monkeypox literature.
ACCOUNTABILITY IN RESEARCH-ETHICS INTEGRITY AND POLICY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sofija Semenistaja, Sandra Skuja, Anda Kadisa, Valerija Groma
Summary: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common, chronic, progressive, and severely debilitating joint disease with a complex etiology. The prevalence and incidence of OA have been increasing globally over the past decade. The underlying processes that trigger OA remain unclear due to the diverse and complex mechanisms involved. In synovial joint dysfunction, the cellular phenotypes and functions of the osteochondral unit are altered. The synovial membrane is influenced by cartilage and subchondral bone cleavage fragments as well as degradation products from apoptotic and necrotic cells, leading to low-grade inflammation. This review explores the cellular and molecular communication networks established between the major joint compartments in both normal and OA-affected joints.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ingrida Cema, Jagriti Kakar, Madara Dzudzilo, Modra Murovska
Summary: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an autoimmune lesion mediated by T cells and activated by an unknown antigen. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can act as both an exogenous and an endogenous antigen in the pathogenesis of OLP. In the development of the autoimmune process, factors such as cytokines, chemokines, autoantibodies, self-reactive B and T cells, and dysregulation of antigen-presenting cells play a role.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Andrejs Lifsics, Maksims Cistjakovs, Liba Sokolovska, Renars Deksnis, Modra Murovska, Valerija Groma
Summary: The study examined the role of tumor suppressor proteins and HPV16 E6 and E7 oncoproteins in the survival assessment of patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) associated with high-risk and low-risk HPV infections. The presence of HPV DNA was associated with better survival in OPSCC and LSCC, while the overexpression of HPV16 E6 protein and p16 protein was associated with better survival in OPSCC and HPSCC. The overexpression of p53 was associated with better survival in OPSCC. The study highlights the significant role of HPV infection in the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and suggests that HPV16 E6 protein expression could be a useful prognostic marker for OPSCC and HPSCC.
Article
Biology
Slawomir Kujawski, Pawel Zalewski, Beata R. Godlewska, Agnieszka Cudnoch-Jedrzejewska, Modra Murovska, Julia L. Newton, Lukasz Sokolowski, Joanna Slomko
Summary: In a previous study, whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) combined with static stretching (SS) was found to reduce the severity of some symptoms in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) immediately after the therapy. This study examines the sustainability of symptom improvements at one-month follow-up and explores the effects of the treatment. After the WBC+SS program, patients showed improvements in cognitive function, fatigue levels, and indicators of aortic stiffness, as well as an increase in sympathetic nervous system activity and positive chronotropic effects on the cardiac muscle. However, caution should be taken when interpreting the overall effects of WBC+SS at one month post-treatment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irene Soffritti, Sabine Gravelsina, Maria D'Accolti, Francesca Bini, Eleonora Mazziga, Anda Vilmane, Santa Rasa-Dzelzkaleja, Zaiga Nora-Krukle, Angelika Krumina, Modra Murovska, Elisabetta Caselli
Summary: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex disease without diagnostic biomarkers, but there is evidence supporting a role of herpesviruses and microRNAs in its development. This study found that six out of eight selected microRNAs were differently expressed in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls. The levels of these microRNAs correlated with disease severity but not with pro-inflammatory cytokines or HHV-6A/6B genome levels. These results suggest that microRNAs could serve as potential biomarkers and provide insights into ME/CFS pathogenic mechanisms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Diana Araja, Uldis Berkis, Modra Murovska
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on global and national developments, affecting various aspects of society and people's lives. This study focuses on the inconsistencies and issues in healthcare revealed by the pandemic, and uses content analysis and statistical analysis to shed light on these problems.