Regular cold shower exposure modulates humoral and cell-mediated immunity in healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND: Cold hydrotherapy is an ancient practice that has recently gained scientific interest for its potential health benefits. This study explored the effects of regular cold shower exposure on immune cell function. METHODS: Sixty healthy Egyptian adults were randomized to take cold or hot showers daily for 90 days. Levels of immunoglobulins, cytokines, and interferon-gamma were measured in blood samples at baseline, 30, 60, and 90 days. RESULTS: The cold shower group exhibited significant increases in immunoglobulin levels. Conversely, the hot shower group showed a significant decrease in IgM levels at 60 and 90 days compared to baseline, alongside nonsignificant decrease of IgG and IgA. the cold shower group demonstrated elevated levels of IL-2 and IL-4 at 90 days, indicating enhanced T-cell proliferation and humoral immunity, respectively. In contrast, the hot shower group did not exhibit significant changes in cytokine levels. There were no significant differences in IFN-γ and TNF-α levels between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Regular cold shower exposure appears to enhance humoral and cell-mediated immunity through the upregulation of antibodies, interleukin-2, and interleukin-4. Brief cold stressors may induce physiological adaptations that prime the immune response. This accessible, sustainable lifestyle modification could potentially serve as an alternative therapy to boost immunity. Further research on larger populations is warranted to better understand the physiological effects of cold temperatures on immunity.

The clinical significance of long non-coding RNAs MALAT1 and CASC2 in the diagnosis of HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death due to a lack of early predictive and/or diagnostic tools. Thus, research for a new biomarker is important. LncRNAs play a functional role in target gene regulation and their deregulation is associated with several pathological conditions including HCC. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the diagnostic potential of two LncRNAs MALAT1 and CASC2 in HCC compared to the routinely used diagnostic biomarker. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current study is a case-control study carried out at Fayoum University Hospital and conducted on 89 individuals. The study included three groups of 36 HCC patients on top of HCV(HCC/HCV), 33 HCV patients, and 20 healthy volunteers as a control group. All study subjects were subjected to radiological examinations. The determination of CBC was performed by the automated counter and liver function tests by the enzymatic method were performed. In addition, HCV RNA quantification and the expression level of two LncRNAs (MALAT1 and CASC2) were performed by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: The results revealed a statistically significant difference between study groups regarding liver function tests with a higher mean in HCC/HCV group. Also, serum MALAT1 significantly up-regulated in HCV (11.2±2.8) and HCC/HCV (4.56±1.4) compared to the control group. Besides, serum CASC2 levels in the HCV group were significantly upregulated (14.9±3.6), while, downregulated in the HCC group (0.16± 0.03). Furthermore, The ROC analysis for diagnostic efficacy parameters indicated that CASC2 has higher accuracy (94.6%) and sensitivity (97.2%) for HCC diagnosis than AFP with an accuracy of (90.9%), sensitivity (69.4%), and MALAT1 showed an accuracy of (56.9%), sensitivity (72.2%). CONCLUSION: Our study results indicated that CASC2 is a promising biomarker and is considered better and could help in HCC diagnosis on top of HCV than MALAT1 and the routine biomarker AFP.

Alirocumab boosts antioxidant status and halts inflammation in rat model of sepsis-induced nephrotoxicity via modulation of Nrf2/HO-1, PCSK9/HMGB1/NF-ᴋB/NLRP3 and Fractalkine/CX3CR1 hubs.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a devastating consequence of sepsis, accompanied by high mortality rates. It was suggested that inflammatory pathways are closely linked to the pathogenesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AKI. Inflammatory signaling, including PCSK9, HMGB1/RAGE/TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB, NLRP3/caspase-1 and Fractalkine/CX3CR1 are considered major forerunners in this link. Alirocumab, PCSK9 inhibitor, with remarkable anti-inflammatory features. Accordingly, this study aimed to elucidate the antibacterial effect of alirocumab against E. coli in vitro. Additionally, evaluation of the potential nephroprotective effects of alirocumab against LPS-induced AKI in rats, highlighting the potential underlying mechanisms involved in these beneficial actions. Thirty-six adult male Wistar rats were assorted into three groups (n=12). Group I; was a normal control group, whereas sepsis-mediated AKI was induced in groups II and III through single-dose intraperitoneal injection of LPS on day 16. In group III, animals were given alirocumab. The results revealed that LPS-induced AKI was mitigated by alirocumab, evidenced by amelioration in renal function tests (creatinine, cystatin C, KIM-1, and NGAL); oxidative stress biomarkers (Nrf2, HO-1, TAC, and MDA); apoptotic markers and renal histopathological findings. Besides, alirocumab pronouncedly hindered LPS-mediated inflammatory response, confirmed by diminishing HMGB1, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and caspase-1 contents; the gene expression of PCSK9, RAGE, NF-ᴋB and Fractalkine/CX3CR1, along with mRNA expression of TLR4, MYD88, and NLRP3. Regarding the antibacterial actions, results showed that alirocumab displayed potential anti-bacterial activity against pathogenic gram-negative E. coli. In conclusion, alirocumab elicited nephroprotective activities against LPS-induced AKI via modulation of Nrf2/HO-1, PCSK9, HMGB1/RAGE/TLR4/MYD88/NF-ᴋB/NLRP3/Caspase-1, Fractalkine/CX3R1 and apoptotic axes.

Oropharyngeal Candidiasis among Egyptian COVID-19 Patients: Clinical Characteristics, Species Identification, and Antifungal Susceptibility, with Disease Severity and Fungal Coinfection Prediction Models.

The study aimed to investigate the causative species, antifungal susceptibility, and factors associated with oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) among Egyptian COVID-19 patients. This is an observational, case-controlled, single-center study that included three groups: COVID-19 patients (30), COVID-19 patients with OPC (39), and healthy individuals (31). Patients' demographic data (age, sex), laboratory tests, comorbidities, treatment, and outcomes were included. Candida species were isolated from COVID-OPC patient's oropharyngeal swabs by convenient microbiological methods. Isolated strains were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, biofilm production, aspartyl protease, and phospholipase activities. The most common respiratory symptoms reported were dyspnea (36/39; 92.4%) and cough (33/39; 84.7%). Candida albicans was the most common isolated species, accounting for 74.36% (29/39), followed by Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata (15.38% and 10.26%, respectively). Amphotericin was effective against all isolates, while fluconazole was effective against 61.5%. A total of 53.8% of the isolates were biofilm producers. The phospholipase activity of C. albicans was detected among 58.6% (17/29) of the isolates. Significant variables from this study were used to create two equations from a regression model that can predict the severity of disease course and liability to fungal infection, with a stativity of 87% and 91%, respectively. According to our findings, COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe infection under prolonged use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and corticosteroids should be considered a high-risk group for developing OPC, and prophylactic measures are recommended to be included in the treatment protocols. In addition, due to the increased rate of fluconazole resistance, other new antifungals should be considered.