Article
Critical Care Medicine
Auyon J. Ghosh, Brian D. Hobbs, Matthew Moll, Aabida Saferali, Adel Boueiz, Jeong H. Yun, Frank Sciurba, Lucas Barwick, Andrew H. Limper, Kevin Flaherty, Gerard Criner, Kevin K. Brown, Robert Wise, Fernando J. Martinez, David Lomas, Peter J. Castaldi, Vincent J. Carey, Dawn L. DeMeo, Michael H. Cho, Edwin K. Silverman, Craig P. Hersh
Summary: This study found that carriers of the AAT Z allele (MZ heterozygotes) with COPD had lower lung function and more emphysema compared to MM subjects with COPD. In addition, there were subtle differences in gene expression between the two groups, suggesting that MZ subjects may represent a subtype of COPD.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
K. A. Serban, K. A. Pratte, C. Strange, R. A. Sandhaus, A. M. Turner, T. Beiko, D. A. Spittle, L. Maier, N. Hamzeh, E. K. Silverman, B. D. Hobbs, C. P. Hersh, D. L. DeMeo, M. H. Cho, R. P. Bowler
Summary: This study identified unique and shared plasma biomarkers between AATD and COPD subjects, and generated a protein score strongly associated with emphysema. Unique biomarkers associated with DLCO and emphysema were found in PiZZ AATD patients.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yunhuan Liu, Guanhua Ma, Yan Mou, Xuanqi Liu, Wenjia Qiu, Yang Zheng, Huili Zhu, Haiyan Ge
Summary: The combined use of fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) level and blood eosinophil count strengthens their association with acute exacerbation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Simultaneously increased FeNO level and blood eosinophil count can predict mild and moderate acute exacerbation in COPD.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Seda Tural Onur, Antonino Natoli, Bettina Dreger, Sibel Arinc, Nurhan Sarioglu, Mustafa Cortuk, Dilek Karadogan, Abdurrahman Senyigit, Birsen Pinar Yildiz, Nurdan Kokturk, Serap Argun Baris, Suemeyye Kodalak Cengiz, Mehmet Polatli
Summary: This study aims to identify AATD in patients with COPD, bronchiectasis, or asthma and report the frequency of AAT variants in Turkey. The results show that AATD mutations are a genetic contributor to lung disease and have a relatively high frequency in Turkish patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Michael Campos, Brian Hagenlocker, Jorge Lascano, Leonard Riley
Summary: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) are underrecognized diseases due to underdiagnosis and poor adherence to screening recommendations. A clinical decision support system (CDSS) was created to improve COPD diagnosis and AATD screening. The CDSS increased spirometry testing and confirmed COPD diagnoses in high-risk patients, as well as prompted AATD screening.
ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jun Watanabe, Kazuhiko Kotani, Alejandro Gugliucci
Summary: Overall, patients with COPD had lower PON1 activity, indicating impaired PON1-related antioxidant defense in COPD. Further studies are needed.
Article
Respiratory System
Abraham Ali-Munive, Prada Leidy, Nadia Juliana Proanos, John Pedrozo-Pupo, Angela Giraldo, Diana Cano, Claudia Diaz-Bossa, Ricardo Mosquera, Hector Paul, Mauricio Gonzalez-Garcia, Carlos Aguirre-Franco, Jose Luis Lopez-Campos, Alejandro Casas-Herrera
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) in adult patients with COPD in Colombia. The results showed that 13.01% of the patients had genetic mutations, with 2.07% being AATD-related. The importance of assessing AATD in COPD patients was highlighted.
BMC PULMONARY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lela Lackey, Aaztli Coria, Auyon J. Ghosh, Phil Grayeski, Luke Hatfield, Vijay Shankar, John Platig, Zhonghui Xu, Silvia B. Ramos, Edwin K. Silverman, Victor E. Ortega, Michael H. Cho, Craig P. Hersh, Brian D. Hobbs, Peter Castaldi, Alain Laederach
Summary: The study identifies a novel alternative polyadenylation event that regulates A1AT protein expression in COPD, involving two polyadenylation sites in the SERPINA1 mRNA. Additionally, differences in SERPINA1 distal ratio distribution among cell types in the liver and lung were observed in single-cell RNA-seq analysis.
Article
Physiology
Xia Xu, Ke Huang, Fen Dong, Shiwei Qumu, Qichao Zhao, Hongtao Niu, Xiaoxia Ren, Xiaoying Gu, Tao Yu, Lin Pan, Ting Yang, Chen Wang
Summary: COPD is a heterogeneous disease with eosinophils potentially associated with emphysema, different from neutrophilic inflammation-related emphysema in small airway disease. The characterization of heterogeneity in COPD-associated inflammation may pave the way for personalized medicine and new therapeutic approaches.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Annalisa Bianchera, Viviana Vilardo, Roberta Giaccari, Annalisa Michielon, Gianluca Bazzoli, Francesca Buttini, Marina Aiello, Alfredo Chetta, Stefano Bruno, Ruggero Bettini
Summary: Two nebulizers, a jet and a mesh vibrating system, were compared in terms of performance and effectiveness for delivering alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) to the lungs. The mesh nebulizer demonstrated higher efficiency in drug delivery, with preserved protein activity and conformation. Nebulization of AAT is a suitable administration strategy for AATD patients, either as a support therapy or for preventive purposes.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sarra Bchir, Soumaya Boumiza, Hela ben Nasr, Abdelhamid Garrouch, Imen Kallel, Zouhair Tabka, Karim Chahed
Summary: The study found that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) had higher Cathepsin D (CTSD) activity compared to healthy controls, especially in smokers. The increased CTSD activity may be related to elevated levels of MMPs and TNF-alpha, particularly in COPD smokers, but not correlated with oxidative stress parameters.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marija Gredic, Isabel Blanco, Gabor Kovacs, Zsuzsanna Helyes, Peter Ferdinandy, Horst Olschewski, Joan Albert Barbera, Norbert Weissmann
Summary: This article summarizes the pathophysiology and treatment options for PH in COPD patients, pointing out that current research still does not fully understand its underlying mechanisms, and some of the treatment methods tested in clinical settings have not been effective. Preclinical studies have proposed some treatment approaches.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Linfan Su, Yixian Qiao, Jinmei Luo, Rong Huang, Yi Xiao
Summary: Frequent acute exacerbations are the leading cause of high rates of hospitalization and mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Reliable molecular markers for effective early diagnosis and prognosis of acute exacerbations are still lacking. In this study, we explored the interaction between host genetics and airway microbiome in the pathogenesis of frequent exacerbations. We identified candidate mutated genes and significant differences in bacterial diversity and composition between frequent-exacerbation phenotype (FE) and infrequent-exacerbation phenotype (IE) COPD patients. Our findings suggest that exomes and related microbiomes may serve as potential biomarkers for predicting frequent acute exacerbations in COPD patients.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Stephanie A. Christenson, Benjamin M. Smith, Mona Bafadhel, Nirupama Putcha
Summary: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a global health problem that leads to high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilization. Its main causes are exposure to harmful particles, such as tobacco smoke and pollutants. Recent research has shown that various factors throughout the life course increase the risk of developing COPD. Innovations in omics and imaging techniques have provided greater understanding of the disease's pathophysiology, potentially leading to advancements in its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This review focuses on recent advances in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, imaging, diagnosis, and treatment of COPD.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kanoko Yoshida, Aruto Yano, Kazuya Kusama, Gen Ishikawa, Kazuhiro Tamura
Summary: The study suggests that A1AT may negatively regulate syncytialization in the placental trophoblasts by controlling inflammatory responses and the activation of p38MAPK and JNK pathways. Dysfunction of A1AT could be responsible for abnormal placental formation and pregnancy-associated disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Daiva Bartkeviciene, Ingrida Pilypiene, Danielius Serapinas, Brigita Vaigauskaite, Rasa Aurelija Vankeviciute, Agne Bartkeviciute, Ieva Narkeviciute, Irena Dumalakiene
Summary: This study identified critical levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in umbilical cord blood as markers for predicting CNS damage and ROP in preterm infants. IL-6 concentration was found to be related to CNS damage in infants at 36 to 37 weeks, while TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels could predict different stages of ROP.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PERINATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Ruta Barkauskaite, Danielius Serapinas
DERMATOLOGIC THERAPY
(2020)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Danielius Serapinas, Emilija Valantinaviciene, Egle Machtejeviene, Agne Bartkeviciute, Daiva Bartkeviciene
Summary: In couples with reproductive disorders, chromosomal mutations and chromosomal length polymorphisms were found at similar rates: 3% vs. 3.6%. The highest aberration rate was found in couples that were unable to conceive.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2021)
Article
Respiratory System
Laura Tamasauskiene, Vilte Marija Gintauskiene, Daina Bastyte, Brigita Sitkauskiene
Summary: This study suggests that IL-22 may have an anti-inflammatory effect in patients with persistent allergic airway diseases caused by house dust mite. The levels of IL-22 were found to be higher in patients compared to healthy individuals, with positive correlations between IL-22 and IL-10 as well as IL-13. Additionally, IL-22 in nasal lavage showed a significant positive correlation with IL-10 in the lavage fluid.
BMC PULMONARY MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Allergy
Julian Thalhammer, Gerhard Kindle, Alexandra Nieters, Stephan Rusch, Mikko R. J. Seppanen, Alain Fische, Bodo Grimbacher, David Edgar, Matthew Buckland, Nizar Mahlaoui, Stephan Ehl
Summary: A study analyzed the age-related initial presenting manifestations of IEI in different disease cohorts, finding that the majority of patients initially presented with infections, while some had immune dysregulation or a combination of both. Males predominated before the age of 10, shifting to females after the age of 40. Infections were most prevalent as a first manifestation in patients over the age of 30.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rytis Boreika, Brigita Sitkauskiene
Summary: Atopic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, and allergic rhinitis, are on the rise globally. Interleukin-32 (IL-32), a cytokine involved in inflammation and immune system regulation, has complex roles in the development and management of inflammatory diseases. Further research is needed to fully understand the exact function of IL-32 in inflammatory diseases such as AD, AA, and AR.
JOURNAL OF INTERFERON AND CYTOKINE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Allergy
Torsten Zuberbier, Tamara Doerr, Werner Aberer, Montserrat Alvaro, Elizabeth Angier, Stefania Arasi, Hasan Arshad, Barbara Ballmer-Weber, Joan Bartra, Lisa Beck, Philippe Begin, Carsten Bindslev-Jensen, Jovanka Bislimovska, Jean Bousquet, Knut Brockow, Andrew Bush, Antonella Cianferoni, Michael J. Cork, Adnan Custovic, Ulf Darsow, Nicolette Jong, Diana Deleanu, Stefano Del Giacco, Antoine Deschildre, Audrey Dunn Galvin, Motohiro Ebisawa, Montserrat Fernandez-Rivas, Marta Ferrer, Alessandro Fiocchi, Roy Gerth van Wijk, Maia Gotua, Kate Grimshaw, Josefine Gruenhagen, Enrico Heffler, Michihiro Hide, Karin Hoffmann-Sommergruber, Cristoforo Incorvaia, Christer Janson, Swen Malte John, Carla Jones, Marek Jutel, Norito Katoh, Benjamin Kendziora, Tamar Kinaciyan, Edward Knol, Oksana Kurbacheva, Susanne Lau, Richard Loh, Carlo Lombardi, Mika Makela, Mary Jane Marchisotto, Michael Makris, Marcus Maurer, Rosan Meyer, Dragan Mijakoski, Jordan Minov, Joaquim Mullol, Caroline Nilsson, Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn, Bright Nwaru, Mikela Odemyr, Giovanni Battista Pajno, Sushil Paudel, Nikolaos G. Papadopoulos, Harald Renz, Giampaolo Ricci, Johannes Ring, Barbara Rogala, Hugh Sampson, Gianenrico Senna, Brigita Sitkauskiene, Peter Kenneth Smith, Katarina Stevanovic, Sasho Stoleski, Hania Szajewska, Akio Tanaka, Ana Todo-Bom, Fatih Alexander Topal, Erkka Valovirta, Ronald Van Ree, Carina Venter, Stefan Woehrl, Gary W. K. Wong, Zuotao Zhao, Margitta Worm
Summary: Based on a systematic review, it is unlikely that cross-contamination of major food allergens below 0.5 mg/100 g will endanger most food allergic patients when consuming a standard portion of food. The suggestion is to use a voluntary declaration on processed food packages stating that the product contains named allergens and may contain traces of other contaminations at concentrations less than 0.5 mg per 100 g of the product, which can be technically achieved in most processed foods. Further research on threshold levels is encouraged for a legally binding solution in the future.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Danielius Serapinas, Akvile Staskunaite, Gabija Pajedaite, Antanas Valantinas, Rasa Pilkauskaite Valickiene, Marija Mendele Leliugiene
Summary: The research found that neuroeducational methods can slow down cellular aging and have a certain impact on changes in the 20th telomere length.
CYPRUS JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Paulius Ruzgys, Diana Navickaite, Ruta Palepsiene, Dovile Uzdavinyte, Neringa Barauskaite, Vitalij Novickij, Irute Girkontaite, Brigita Sitkauskiene, Saulius Satkauskas
Summary: This study shows that intracellular delivery of calcium ions and anticancer drug bleomycin not only kills the cells but also has a negative bystander effect on indirectly treated cells. These treatments are effective on directly treated tumors but have little effect on distal nodules. Combination with other methods is needed for the treatment of distal nodules.
Article
Allergy
Edita Gasiuniene, Laura Tamasauskiene, Ieva Janulaityte, Leif Bjermer, Brigita Sitkauskiene
Summary: This study used cluster analysis to identify different phenotypes of asthma based on multiple demographic, clinical, and immunological characteristics, including early-onset highly atopic eosinophilic asthma, late-onset eosinophilic asthma, and late-onset obese neutrophilic asthma.
Article
Immunology
Hassan Abolhassani, Tadej Avcin, Nerin Bahceciler, Dmitry Balashov, Zsuzsanna Bata, Mihaela Bataneant, Mikhail Belevtsev, Ewa Bernatowska, Judit Bidlo, Peter Blazso, Bertrand Boisson, Mikhail Bolkov, Anastasia Bondarenko, Oksana Boyarchuk, Anna Bundschu, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Liudmyla Chernishova, Peter Ciznar, Ildiko Csuerke, Melinda Erdos, Henriette Farkas, Daria S. Fomina, Nermeen Galal, Vera Goda, Sukru Nail Guner, Peter Hauser, Natalya I. Ilyina, Teona Iremadze, Sevan Iritsyan, Vlora Ismaili-Jaha, Milos Jesenak, Jadranka Kelecic, Sevgi Keles, Gerhard Kindle, Irina V. Kondratenko, Larysa Kostyuchenko, Elena Kovzel, Gergely Krivan, Georgina Kuli-Lito, Gabor Kumanovics, Natalja Kurjane, Elena A. Latysheva, Tatiana V. Latysheva, Istvan Lazar, Gasper Markelj, Maja Markovic, Laszlo Marodi, Vafa Mammadova, Marta Medvecz, Noemi Miltner, Kristina Mironska, Fred Modell, Vicki Modell, Bernadett Mosdosi, Anna A. Mukhina, Marianna Murdjeva, Gyoergyi Muzes, Umida Nabieva, Gulnara Nasrullayeva, Elissaveta Naumova, Kalman Nagy, Beata Onozo, Bubusaira Orozbekova, Malgorzata Pac, Karaman Pagava, Alexander N. Pampura, Srdjan Pasic, Mery Petrosyan, Gordana Petrovic, Lidija Pocek, Andrei P. Prodeus, Ismail Reisli, Krista Ress, Nima Rezaei, Yulia A. Rodina, Alexander G. Rumyantsev, Svetlana Sciuca, Anna Sediva, Margit Serban, Svetlana Sharapova, Anna Shcherbina, Brigita Sitkauskiene, Irina Snimshchikova, Shqipe Spahiu-Konjusha, Miklos Szolnoky, Gabriella Szucs, Natasa Toplak, Beata Toth, Galina Tsyvkina, Irina Tuzankina, Elena Vlasova, Alla Volokha
Summary: The J Project (JP) started in 2004 and has organized 344 inborn errors of immunity (IEI)-focused meetings in 32 countries in Eastern and Central Europe. The study analyzed major diagnostic and treatment parameters, showing a total of 24,879 patients reported from 30 countries, with the majority having predominantly antibody deficiency.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Sandra Sakalauskaite, Ruta Vaiciuniene, Neda Kusleikaite-Pere, Jurgita Narbutiene, Jolanta Sauseriene, Asta Aukstakalniene, Leonas Valius, Brigita Sitkauskiene
Summary: This prospective study aimed to evaluate the impact of immune status on the prevalence of COVID-19 in kidney transplant patients. The study found that 42% of patients developed antibody response after receiving the BNT162b2 vaccine. During the one-year follow-up, there was no significant difference in the number of COVID-19 cases between seropositive and seronegative patients, but only seronegative patients required hospitalization. The antibody response was associated with kidney function.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jolanta Sauseriene, Ida Liseckiene, Vitalija Neverauske, Egle Sepetauskiene, Danielius Serapinas, Sarunas Macinskas, Brigita Sitkauskiene, Ieva Bajoriuniene, Ruta Vaiciuniene, Leonas Valius
Summary: This study examined the safety and immunogenicity of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine among healthcare workers. The results showed a certain proportion of adverse events after the first dose of the vaccine, but no safety concerns or anaphylaxis were identified. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine induced an immune response in the overwhelming majority of recipients. Younger participants experienced adverse events and were positive for IgG antibodies more frequently than older counterparts. Further research on the long-term adverse reactions and immune system programming of the vaccine is essential.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ieva Bajoriuniene, Greta Musteikiene, Agne Ramonaite, Brigita Sitkauskiene
Summary: DiHS/DRESS is a severe adverse drug-induced reaction characterized by various symptoms, with mechanisms involving genetic susceptibility, detoxification defects, and viral reactivation. Common causes include antiepileptic drugs, allopurinol, and sulfonamides. Patch testing can be helpful in diagnosing and evaluating this syndrome.
CENTRAL EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
