Article
Immunology
Shereen A. Baioumy, Shaimaa H. Fouad, Shaimaa A. Abdalgeleel, Ahmed A. Baiomy, Dina E. Sallam, Sara Taha
Summary: The study found a significant decrease in serum MBL levels in RAS patients and an association with the B variant allele of the MBL2 gene. MBL levels differed among different genotypes, but were not significantly associated with the type of ulcers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMMUNOPATHOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Dermatology
Wonei de Seixas Vital, Felipe Jules de Araujo Santos, Mauricio Leandro Fernandes Goncalves, Claudia Dantas Comandolli Wyrepkowski, Rajendranath Ramasawmy, Silvania da Conceicao Furtado
Summary: The systematic review of case-control studies on the genetic association of variants in the MBL2 gene and the risk of developing leishmaniasis did not find significant associations.
ANAIS BRASILEIROS DE DERMATOLOGIA
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Jinjian Xu, Gang Chen, Zhen Yan, Mochang Qiu, Wentao Tong, Xiaobin Zhang, Li Zhang, Yimin Zhu, Keqi Liu
Summary: The relationship between MBL gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) varies among different ethnicities, with significant associations found in Brazilian populations (rs1800450, MBL-A/O) and East Asian populations (rs11003125), while no associations were confirmed in Caucasians. Structural polymorphisms in exon 1 of the MBL gene may play a significant role in RA susceptibility in Brazilian and Indian populations, while functional polymorphisms in the promoter region are more likely to be associated with RA in East Asians.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jana Mrazkova, Petr Sistek, Jan Lochman, Lydie Izakovicova Holla, Zdenek Danek, Petra Borilova Linhartova
Summary: The study aims to design and validate a sensitive and economical method for determining MBL2 haplogenotypes. A high-throughput and cost-effective SNaPshot assay for MBL2 genotyping is developed, along with a freely available online application for the calculation of haplogenotypes from SNPs.
Article
Rheumatology
Zhi-Chao Yuan, Wang-Dong Xu, You-Yu Lan, Jia-Min Wang, Qian Wu, Jie Zhou, An-Fang Huang
Summary: This study suggests that the A\B and A\O polymorphisms of the MBL2 gene are associated with SLE susceptibility, and the allele H may act as a protective factor for SLE.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deeksha Marothia, Navdeep Kaur, Chetna Jhamat, Ipsa Sharma, Pratap Kumar Pati
Summary: Biotic and abiotic stresses have negative effects on plant's development and productivity. Researchers are studying the stress induced responses in plants and strategies to produce stress tolerant crops. Recent interest has focused on exploring the role of lectins in regulating biological responses in plants. Lectins are proteins that form reversible linkages with glycoconjugates. The involvement of plant lectins in stress tolerance is not fully understood and further research in this area could lead to improvements in crop production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Mengwen Liu, Quan Wang, Haican Liu, Chunjie Yin, Xiaokaiti Mijiti, Aiketaguli Anwaierjiang, Kanglin Wan, Miao Xu, Machao Li, Siqin Nong, Guilian Li, Hui Xiao
Summary: This study aimed to determine the associations of polymorphisms in the MBL2 gene with susceptibility to tuberculosis and specific lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Uyghur population of Xinjiang, China. The results suggested that susceptibility to tuberculosis is affected by both host genetic polymorphisms and the lineage of M. tuberculosis.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tasmiyah Siddiqui, Kanwal Ashok Kumar, Amna Iqbal, Payal Rani Doultani, Tayyaba Ashraf, Farea Eqbal, Samrah Inam Siddiqui
Summary: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of Oteseconazole in the treatment of RVVC through a meta-analysis. The results showed that Oteseconazole significantly reduced the incidence of RVVC and did not lead to significant serious adverse effects during treatment. However, further large-scale trials are needed due to the limited patient population for a definitive conclusion.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Marilia A. Sena, Priscila Mayrelle da Silva Castanha, Ana Beatriz Giles Guimaraes, Paula Alexandra dos Santos Oliveira, Maria Almerice Lopes da Silva, Marli Tenorio Cordeiro, Patricia Moura, Cynthia Braga, Luydson Richardson Silva Vasconcelos
Summary: The study found that variations in the MBL2 gene are associated with susceptibility to dengue infection in children. Lower levels of serum MBL are associated with dengue infection, while intermediate to high levels of serum MBL are associated with protection against dengue infection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Martha F. Mushi, Ronald Olum, Felix Bongomin
Summary: The aim of this study was to comprehensively investigate the prevalence, antifungal susceptibility, and etiology of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The study found that approximately one-third of women in SSA have VVC, mainly caused by Candida albicans.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Keicyanne Fernanda Lessa dos Anjos, Cynarha Daysy Cardoso da Silva, Mary Angela Aranda de Souza, Alessandra Batista de Mattos, Luana Cassandra Breitenbach Barroso Coelho, Giovanna Machado, Janaina Viana de Melo, Regina Celia Bressan Queiroz de Figueiredo
Summary: Titanium and its alloys are commonly used biomaterials for medical and dental applications due to their mechanical and physical properties. In this study, titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO2NTs) were functionalized with a lectin from the plasma of the fish Oreochromis niloticus to enhance adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic activity of osteoblast-like cells, ultimately improving the biocompatibility of titanium-based biomaterials. The successful incorporation of the lectin on the nanotubes was confirmed through various characterization techniques.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Gabriela Correa Carvalho, Rafaela Aparecida Prata de Oliveira, Victor Hugo Sousa Araujo, Rafael Miguel Sabio, Lidia Raquel de Carvalho, Tais Maria Bauab, Ione Correa, Marlus Chorilli
Summary: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (CVV) is the second leading cause of vaginitis in the world, with an estimated prevalence of 18% in Brazil. Studies show higher prevalence in the South and Southeast regions compared to the North and Northeast regions, with no data available for the Midwest region. Further epidemiological studies are recommended to fully understand the disease profile in Brazil.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jinjin Ma, Ruihong Xu, Yanqiu Xie, Jiaojiao Liang, Wenxiao Han, Xinqing Chen, Ling Hao, Changjun Ren
Summary: To explore the relationship between MBL polymorphism and neonatal sepsis, a meta-analysis was conducted. The results showed that MBL rs1800450 was significantly associated with neonatal culture-proven sepsis, while MBL exon 1 gene polymorphism (A/O), rs5030737, and rs1800451 were not related to the risk of sepsis in neonates.
Review
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Ding Lijuan, Yin Lu, Wang Liping, Sun Yaya, Liu Xiaoyun, Li Xiangrong
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of Redcore lotion in treating vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The results showed that the combination of Redcore lotion and miconazole was more effective in reducing symptomatic episodes of VVC and had a lower risk of adverse events compared to miconazole alone.
JOURNAL OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sergey Yu. Tereshchenko, Marina V. V. Smolnikova, Maxim B. B. Freidin
Summary: This study provides new insights on the prevalence of FCN3 rs532781899 and MASP2 rs72550870 variants among the newborns of aboriginal Siberian Arctic populations and Russians. The genetic data of other proteins in the lectin pathway were also analyzed. A total of 926 dried blood spot specimens were genotyped.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Stefania Mantovani, Sergio Daga, Chiara Fallerini, Margherita Baldassarri, Elisa Benetti, Nicola Picchiotti, Francesca Fava, Anna Galli, Silvia Zibellini, Mirella Bruttini, Maria Palmieri, Susanna Croci, Sara Amitrano, Diana Alaverdian, Katia Capitani, Simone Furini, Francesca Mari, Ilaria Meloni, Elisa Frullanti, Mario U. Mondelli, Alessandra Renieri
Summary: TLR7 variants in male patients lead to impaired immune response to viruses like SARS-CoV-2, resulting in severe COVID-19. These variants cause significant damage to the TLR7 signaling pathway and hinder the type I and II interferon responses.
GENES AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Flavio De Maio, Giulia Santarelli, Valentina Palmieri, Giordano Perini, Alessandro Salustri, Ivana Palucci, Giovanni Delli Carpini, Alberto Augello, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Marco De Spirito, Michela Sali, Giovanni Delogu, Massimiliano Papi
Summary: Respiratory tract infections are the leading cause of death from infectious diseases globally, with COVID-19 adding to the burden of existing respiratory tract infections like tuberculosis. Graphene and curcumin can be used to create fabric coatings on cotton and polyester, providing personal protective equipment that is resistant to infectious agents.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL FIBERS
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Luca Masucci, Silvia D'Ippolito, Flavio De Maio, Gianluca Quaranta, Roberta Mazzarella, Delia Mercedes Bianco, Roberta Castellani, Annalisa Inversetti, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Antonio Gasbarrini, Giovanni Scambia, Nicoletta Di Simone
Summary: The incidence of Idiopathic Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) is higher in patients with Celiac Disease (CD) and is associated with genetic components HLA-DQ2 and DQ8. This study evaluated the microbiota of endometrial and vaginal samples in RPL patients with and without HLA-DQ2/DQ8, as well as healthy pregnant women. The results showed significant differences in the composition of Lactobacillus species in the RPL groups compared to the controls.
Article
Immunology
Domenico Pascucci, Adriano Grossi, Alberto Lontano, Eleonora Marziali, Mario Cesare Nurchis, Vincenzo Maria Grassi, Matteo Raponi, Giuseppe Vetrugno, Giovanni Capelli, Giovanna Elisa Calabro, Domenico Staiti, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Gianfranco Damiani, Patrizia Laurenti
Summary: This study evaluates the duration of protection provided by the booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in healthcare workers and analyzes the factors associated with post-booster vaccination infections. The study found that the risk of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2 increased over time, and it was significantly higher for females, younger patients, and individuals who received a hybrid immunity. The study highlights the importance of continuous monitoring of vaccine-induced immunogenicity.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Delia Mercedes Bianco, Flavio De Maio, Giulia Santarelli, Ivana Palucci, Alessandro Salustri, Giada Bianchetti, Giuseppe Maulucci, Franco Citterio, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Enrica Tamburrini, Michela Sali, Giovanni Delogu
Summary: Despite being investigated as a host-directed therapy in treating tuberculosis, Everolimus showed no direct or indirect activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Even in an immunosuppressed patient, Everolimus did not affect the viability of Mtb and had minimal impact in host cells during infection. This case emphasizes the importance of careful drug repurposing and pre-clinical experimental studies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Flavio De Maio, Giacomo Grotti, Francesco Mariani, Danilo Buonsenso, Giulia Santarelli, Delia Mercedes Bianco, Brunella Posteraro, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Claudia Rendeli
Summary: It was previously believed that the human bladder is sterile, but recent advances in molecular biology have shown the presence of microorganisms in the urinary tract. Understanding the relationship between urobiota and urinary tract disorders has become a significant research focus. Patients with spina bifida (SB), a condition that can lead to neurogenic bladder and increased susceptibility to urinary tract infections, often undergo clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) for treatment. This study aims to investigate the urobiota composition in SB patients compared to healthy controls and explore the urobiota characteristics in relation to CIC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucrezia Laterza, Lorenza Putignani, Carlo Romano Settanni, Valentina Petito, Simone Varca, Flavio De Maio, Gabriele Macari, Valerio Guarrasi, Elisa Gremese, Barbara Tolusso, Giulia Wlderk, Maria Antonia Pirro, Caterina Fanali, Franco Scaldaferri, Laura Turchini, Valeria Amatucci, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Antonio Gasbarrini
Summary: This study investigated the effectiveness of gut microbiota modulation for enhancing recovery after COVID-19. A pilot interventional study was conducted with twenty recently recovered COVID-19 patients to explore the impact of a mixed probiotic containing Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, and Streptococcus thermophilus on gastrointestinal symptoms, inflammation, intestinal barrier integrity, and gut microbiota profile. Various markers and computational algorithms were utilized to evaluate the outcomes before and after 8 weeks of probiotic supplementation. The results showed a significant reduction in inflammatory markers and an increase in Bifidobacteria at T-1, indicating potential anti-inflammatory effects and the influence of probiotics on gut microbiota composition.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Davide Lo Porto, Andrea Cona, Francesca Todaro, Elena De Carolis, Francesca Cardinale, Neha Hafeez, Giuseppina Di Martino, Pier Giulio Conaldi, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Paolo Antonio Grossi, Alessandra Mularoni
Summary: Phaeohyphomycosis is a diverse infection caused by pigmented fungi, and solid organ transplant recipients are at increased risk due to immunosuppression. In this study, three successful cases of phaeohyphomycosis in transplant recipients were treated with surgery and antifungal therapy. A literature review revealed a wide range of fungal species, with Alternaria being the most common. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in preventing disease dissemination.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Margherita Cacaci, Damiano Squitieri, Valentina Palmieri, Riccardo Torelli, Giordano Perini, Michela Campolo, Maura Di Vito, Massimiliano Papi, Brunella Posteraro, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Francesca Bugli
Summary: The antimicrobial activity of graphene oxide (GO) and curcumin-graphene oxide (GO/CU) against C. parapsilosis was evaluated for the first time. The results showed that GO/CU has anti-planktonic, anti-adhesive, and anti-biofilm properties, with a 72% reduction in cell viability and an 85% decrease in extracellular substances (EPS) secretion after 72 hours of incubation.
Article
Pediatrics
Danilo Buonsenso, Piero Valentini, Francesco Mariani, Silvia Di Noi, Sofia Mazza, Ivana Palucci, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Michela Sali
Summary: The use of salivary swabs (SS) to detect SARS-CoV-2 in adults and children during the COVID-19 pandemic has been widely studied. However, the role of SS in detecting other respiratory viruses in children is not well investigated. This study found that SS has a relatively low sensitivity in detecting common respiratory viruses in children, especially in younger children or those with smaller amounts of saliva collected. New strategies to improve saliva collection are needed for testing on a larger study population.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Giada Bianchetti, Flavio De Maio, Alessio Abeltino, Cassandra Serantoni, Alessia Riente, Giulia Santarelli, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Giovanni Delogu, Roberta Martinoli, Silvia Barbaresi, Marco De Spirito, Giuseppe Maulucci
Summary: The human gut microbiome plays a significant role in human health and disease development. Recent advancements in technology have allowed for a better understanding of its composition and functions. Diet, specifically, has been found to shape the gut microbiome, affecting its diversity, population size, and metabolism. Personalized nutrition, based on individual characteristics, has shown promise in directly impacting the gut microbiome. Longitudinal studies are necessary to fully comprehend the long-term effects of specific diets and food components on the gut microbiome, as well as the variations between individuals. Accurate methods of collecting dietary data and the application of machine learning techniques hold immense potential in understanding the gut microbiome's response to diet and providing tailored lifestyle recommendations.
Article
Microbiology
Flora Marzia Liotti, Simona Marchetti, Federico Falletta, Sara D'Onghia, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Rosaria Santangelo, Brunella Posteraro
Summary: We report on the excellent performance of the QIAstat-Dx assay for the detection of human monkeypox virus (MPXV) in clinical samples.
Article
Microbiology
Loris Riccardo Lopetuso, Lucrezia Laterza, Valentina Petito, Silvia Pecere, Gianluca Quaranta, Federica Del Chierico, Pierluigi Puca, Elisa Schiavoni, Daniele Napolitano, Andrea Poscia, Gianluca Ianiro, Daniela Pugliese, Lorenza Putignani, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Alessandro Armuzzi, Luca Masucci, Antonio Gasbarrini, Giovanni Cammarota, Franco Scaldaferri
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise therapy for patients with cervical spondylosis. The results showed that patients who received exercise therapy had significantly better pain levels, functional recovery, and quality of life compared to those who received traditional treatment.
Article
Plant Sciences
Silvia Rizzo, Maura Di Vito, Elena Mazzinelli, Ilaria Favuzzi, Riccardo Torelli, Margherita Cacaci, Alessandro Arcovito, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Stefania Garzoli, Giuseppina Nocca, Francesca Bugli
Summary: Researchers have created a delivery system for cinnamaldehyde (CIN) using PLGA microparticles (CIN-MPs) to combat antibiotic resistance of microorganisms. The conveyed CIN increased the antifungal effects, especially against antibiotic-resistant strains of Candida spp. The slow and prolonged release of CIN from the PLGA MPs ensured a constant and uniform concentration within the cells.
Article
Microbiology
Carla Bromuro, Brunella Posteraro, Rita Murri, Massimo Fantoni, Mario Tumbarello, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Rosanna Dattilo, Roberto Cauda, Antonio Cassone, Antonella Torosantucci, Floyd L. Wormley
Summary: In this retrospective study, antibody immunity in candidemia patients was evaluated by analyzing sera taken at candidemia diagnosis. The presence of IgG antibodies against Candida antigens Als3, Mp65, Hyr1, and Eno1 were observed in all patients at significantly higher levels compared to non-candidemia controls. Antibodies against Als3 and Mp65 were found to be associated with lower 30-day patient mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the antibody response against Als3 and Mp65, along with other variables, could accurately predict candidemia outcome.