Effect of Modified Bifrontotemporal Electroconvulsive Therapy on Executive Function in Patients With Psychiatric Illness: A Longitudinal Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted to compare the pre-electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and post-ECT status of the executive functions of patients and report any deficits found at long-term follow-up. The secondary objective of the study was to compare the performance at executive function tests after ECT with patient characteristics and ECT parameters. METHODOLOGY: In a prospective longitudinal observational study, 50 patients in the age group of 18 to 65 years who were receiving modified bifrontotemporal ECT for the first time and admitted in psychiatry ward of a tertiary care hospital from July 2015 to June 2016 were assessed for executive functions using a neuropsychological battery consisting of digit span forward, digit span backward, spatial span forward, spatial span backward, phonemic verbal fluency test, semantic verbal fluency test, Stroop test, and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, a day before ECT and then followed up at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Patients' score improved on all the tests of executive function at 3-month follow-up and was significant for some tests. Improvement was sustained for all the tests 6 months after ECT. Number of years of formal education of patients before illness significantly influenced patients' performance on most of the executive function tests after ECT. Younger age of the patient positively influenced patients' performance on digit span forward and backwards and semantic verbal fluency. CONCLUSIONS: There are no executive function deficits 3 to 6 months after brief pulse modified ECT with bilateral electrode placement. A higher premorbid education level is associated with better performance on executive functions after ECT.

Residual immune activation in HIV-Infected individuals expands monocytic-myeloid derived suppressor cells.

HIV-infected individuals on combined antiretroviral therapy (ART) with virologic suppression exhibit sustained immune dysfunction. Our recent work has highlighted that monocytic myeloid derived suppressor cells (M-MDSC) are elevated in these individuals and suppress immune responses. Factors responsible for M-MDSC expansion in vivo are unknown. Here we compared circulating frequency of M-MDSC in HIV-infected persons from the US and India where HIV subtype-B or -C predominate, respectively. We further investigated soluble mediators of residual immune activation in two cohorts and determined their correlation with M-MDSC expansion. Our findings show that M-MDSC are elevated and correlate with plasma levels of IL-6 in both cohorts. Chemokines CXCL10, CCL4 and CXCL8 were also elevated in HIV-infected individuals, but did not correlate with M-MDSC. These findings support that IL-6 is important in M-MDSC expansion which is independent of HIV subtype.

Role of endothelial microRNA 155 on capillary leakage in systemic inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Capillary leakage is a key contributor to the pathological host response to infections. The underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood, and the role of microRNAs (MIR) has not been investigated in detail. We hypothesized that specific MIRs might be regulated directly in the endothelium thereby contributing to vascular leakage. METHODS: SmallRNA sequencing of endotoxemic murine pulmonary endothelial cells (ECs) was done to detect regulated vascular MIRs. In vivo models: transgenic zebrafish (flk1:mCherry/l-fabp:eGFP-DPB), knockout/wildtype mouse (B6.Cg-Mir155tm1.1Rsky/J); disease models: LPS 17.5 mg/kgBW and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP); in vitro models: stimulated human umbilical vein EC (HUVECs), transendothelial electrical resistance. RESULTS: Endothelial MIR155 was identified as a promising candidate in endotoxemic murine pulmonary ECs (25 × upregulation). Experimental overexpression in a transgenic zebrafish line and in HUVECs was sufficient to induce spontaneous vascular leakage. To the contrary, genetic MIR155 reduction protects against permeability both in vitro and in endotoxemia in vivo in MIR155 heterozygote knockout mice thereby improving survival by 40%. A tight junction protein, Claudin-1, was down-regulated both in endotoxemia and by experimental MIR155 overexpression. Translationally, MIR155 was detectable at high levels in bronchoalveolar fluid of patients with ARDS compared to healthy human subjects. CONCLUSIONS: We found that MIR155 is upregulated in the endothelium in mouse and men as part of a systemic inflammatory response and might contribute to the pathophysiology of vascular leakage in a Claudin-1-dependent manner. Future studies have to clarify whether MIR155 could be a potential therapeutic target.

Quaking Inhibits Doxorubicin-Mediated Cardiotoxicity Through Regulation of Cardiac Circular RNA Expression.

RATIONALE: RBPs (RNA-binding proteins) have been described to be expressed and regulated in various organs including the heart. Little is known about the role of RBPs in heart failure induced by the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin and their interaction with circular RNAs. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify key RBPs involved in doxorubicin-mediated heart failure and to elucidate their function. METHODS AND RESULTS: Global transcriptome profiling from murine myocardium exposed to doxorubicin identified 5 differentially expressed RBPs. Expression of the RBP QKI (Quaking) in response to doxorubicin was strongly downregulated in rodent cardiomyocytes and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes in vitro and in vivo in mice. Knockdown of Qki in primary cardiomyocytes increased apoptosis and atrophy after treatment with doxorubicin, whereas lentiviral mediated overexpression of Qki5 inhibited the doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. In vivo, AAV9 (adeno-associated virus serotype 9)-mediated cardiac overexpression of Qki5 prevented cardiac apoptosis and cardiac atrophy induced by doxorubicin and improved cardiac function. Mechanistically, by lentiviral-based overexpression and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated silencing of Qki5, we identified regulated expression of specific circular RNAs derived from Ttn (Titin), Fhod3 (Formin homology 2 domain containing 3), and Strn3 (Striatin, calmodulin-binding protein 3). Moreover, inhibition of Ttn-derived circular RNA increased the susceptibility of cardiomyocytes to doxorubicin. CONCLUSIONS: We here show that overexpression of Qki5 strongly attenuates the toxic effect of doxorubicin via regulating a set of circular RNAs. Qki5 is, thus, an interesting target molecule to combat doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

miR-212/132 Cluster Modulation Prevents Doxorubicin-Mediated Atrophy and Cardiotoxicity.

Improved therapy of cancer has significantly increased the lifespan of patients. However, cancer survivors face an increased risk of cardiovascular complications due to adverse effects of cancer therapies. The chemotherapy drug doxorubicin is well known to induce myofibril damage and cardiac atrophy. Our aim was to test potential counteracting effects of the pro-hypertrophic miR-212/132 family in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. In vitro, overexpression of the pro-hypertrophic miR-212/132 cluster in primary rodent and human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes inhibited doxorubicin-induced toxicity. Next, a disease model of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity was established in male C57BL/6N mice. Mice were administered either adeno-associated virus (AAV)9-control or AAV9-miR-212/132 to achieve myocardial overexpression of the miR-212/132 cluster. AAV9-mediated overexpression limited cardiac atrophy by increasing left ventricular mass and wall thickness, decreased doxorubicin-mediated apoptosis, and prevented myofibril damage. Based on a transcriptomic profiling we identified fat storage-inducing transmembrane protein 2 (Fitm2) as a novel target and downstream effector molecule responsible, at least in part, for the observed miR-212/132 anti-cardiotoxic effects. Overexpression of Fitm2 partially reversed the effects of miR-212/132. Overexpression of the miR-212/132 family reduces development of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and thus could be a therapeutic entry point to limit doxorubicin-mediated adverse cardiac effects.

Inhibition of the Cardiac Fibroblast-Enriched lncRNA Meg3 Prevents Cardiac Fibrosis and Diastolic Dysfunction.

RATIONALE: Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) drive extracellular matrix remodeling after pressure overload, leading to fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction. Recent studies described the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cardiac pathologies. Nevertheless, detailed reports on lncRNAs regulating CF biology and describing their implication in cardiac remodeling are still missing. OBJECTIVE: Here, we aimed at characterizing lncRNA expression in murine CFs after chronic pressure overload to identify CF-enriched lncRNAs and investigate their function and contribution to cardiac fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Global lncRNA profiling identified several dysregulated transcripts. Among them, the lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (Meg3) was found to be mostly expressed by CFs and to undergo transcriptional downregulation during late cardiac remodeling. In vitro, Meg3 regulated the production of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). GapmeR-mediated silencing of Meg3 in CFs resulted in the downregulation of Mmp-2 transcription, which, in turn, was dependent on P53 activity both in the absence and in the presence of transforming growth factor-ß I. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that further induction of Mmp-2 expression by transforming growth factor-ß I was blocked by Meg3 silencing through the inhibition of P53 binding on the Mmp-2 promoter. Consistently, inhibition of Meg3 in vivo after transverse aortic constriction prevented cardiac MMP-2 induction, leading to decreased cardiac fibrosis and improved diastolic performance. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our findings uncover a critical role for Meg3 in the regulation of MMP-2 production by CFs in vitro and in vivo, identifying a new player in the development of cardiac fibrosis and potential new target for the prevention of cardiac remodeling.

p53 and miR-210 regulated NeuroD2, a neuronal basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, is downregulated in glioblastoma patients and functions as a tumor suppressor under hypoxic microenvironment.

The factors involved in cell differentiation have recently garnered interest for their role in inhibition of pathogenesis in various tumors. However, their role in glioblastoma (GBM) remains poorly understood. We analyzed The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) GBM data and found significant downregulation of neurogenic differentiation factor NeuroD2 in GBM patients. Low levels of NeuroD2 were found to be correlated with poor overall survival of GBM patients in TCGA dataset as well as in our cohort. Interestingly, NeuroD2 was shown to be transcriptionally induced by p53 and post-transcriptionally targeted by hypoxia- inducible miRNA, miR-210. NeuroD2 overexpression diminished GBM aggressiveness by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration and promoting apoptosis under hypoxia. NeuroD2 overexpressing GBM cells failed to form three-dimensional (3D)-tumor spheroids and displayed reduced migration in a 3D gelatin matrix. NeuroD2 gene signature was enriched in pathways belonging to cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, TNF-signaling, PI3K-AKT signaling, focal adhesion and ECM-receptor interaction. Overall, our study identifies a novel role of NeuroD2 as a tumor suppressor and prognostic biomarker in GBM the levels of which are tightly regulated by p53 and miR-210. Overexpressing NeuroD2 may potentially be a simple and efficient therapeutic strategy to inhibit the malignant phenotype of GBM cells.

Interleukin 23 produced by myeloid dendritic cells contributes to T-cell dysfunction in HIV type 1 infection by inducing SOCS1 expression.

The mechanism of myeloid dendritic cell (mDC)-mediated impaired T-cell function was investigated during human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. HIV or gp120 were found to inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced mDC maturation and cause defects in allogeneic T-cell proliferation, interleukin 2 and interferon γ (IFN-γ) production, and phosphorylated STAT1 expression. gp120-treated mDCs downregulated autologous T-cell proliferation and IFN-γ production against a peptide pool consisting of cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and influenza virus (CEF). These T-cell defects were associated with a decrease in production of the T-helper type 1-polarizing cytokine interleukin 12p70 and an increase in interleukin 23 (IL-23) production by gp120-treated mDCs. gp120-induced IL-23 upregulated suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) protein in T cells, which inhibited IFN-γ production and killing of CEF-pulsed monocytes. These effector functions were recovered by silencing SOCS1 in T cells. Furthermore, we observed IL-23-induced SOCS1 binding to the IFN-γ transcription complex. These results identify SOCS1 as a novel target to improve the immune function in HIV-infected persons.

Improving spectral library search by redefining similarity measures.

Similarity plays a central role in spectral library search. The goal of spectral library search is to identify those spectra in a reference library of known materials that most closely match an unknown query spectrum, on the assumption that this will allow us to identify the main constituent(s) of the query spectrum. The similarity measures used for this task in software and the academic literature are almost exclusively metrics, meaning that the measures obey the three axioms of metrics: (1) minimality; (2) symmetry; (3) triangle inequality. Consequently, they implicitly assume that the query spectrum is drawn from the same distribution as that of the reference library. In this paper, we demonstrate that this assumption is not necessary in practical spectral library search and that in fact it is often violated in practice. Although the reference library may be constructed carefully, it is generally impossible to guarantee that all future query spectra will be drawn from the same distribution as the reference library. Before evaluating different similarity measures, we need to understand how they define the relationship between spectra. In spectral library search, we often aim to find the constituent(s) of a mixture. We propose that, rather than asking which reference library spectra are similar to the mixture, we should ask which of the reference library spectra are contained in the given query mixture. This question is inherently asymmetric. Therefore, we should adopt a nonmetric measure. To evaluate our hypothesis, we apply a nonmetric measure formulated by Tversky [Psychol. Rev. 1977, 84, 327-352] known as the Contrast Model and compare its performance to the well-known Jaccard similarity index metric on spectroscopic data sets. Our results show that the Tversky similarity measure yields better results than the Jaccard index.

HIV type 1 gp120-induced expansion of myeloid derived suppressor cells is dependent on interleukin 6 and suppresses immunity.

BACKGROUND: Factors responsible for myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) expansion and T-cell dysfunction during human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection are unknown. This study investigated the role of MDSCs during HIV infection. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were cultured with gp120 and infectious or inactivated HIV, with or without anti-interleukin 6 (IL-6) antibody. CD33(+), CD4(+), and CD8(+) cells were isolated from PBMCs and cocultured in the presence or absence of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and arginase 1 inhibitors. CD11b(+)CD33(+)CD14(+)HLA-DR(-/lo) MDSCs, phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3), and CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) cells were evaluated by flow cytometry. IL-6, interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin 10 (IL-10), and gp120 levels were quantified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: MDSCs expanded when PBMCs were exposed to infectious or inactivated HIV. Exposure to gp120 led to MDSC expansion, with increases in IL-6 levels and pSTAT3 expression. Anti-IL-6 abrogated MDSC expansion and pSTAT3 expression. gp120-expanded CD33(+) MDSCs inhibited IFN-γ release from autologous T cells, which was restored upon ROS and iNOS inhibition. gp120-expanded CD33(+) MDSCs increased IL-10 and CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T-cell levels in CD4(+) T-cell cocultures. Finally, high frequencies of MDSCs were present in HIV-infected persons, compared with healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that HIV gp120 induces IL-6 and MDSC expansion, which contributes to immune suppression by modulating cytokine and cellular responses.

In Vitro Antibacterial, DPPH Radical Scavenging Activities, and In Silico Molecular Modeling of Isolated Compounds from the Roots of Clematis hirsuta.

Clematis hirsuta is one of the traditional medicinal plants used in Ethiopia to treat different ailments, such as cancer and diseases related to the respiratory system. This study aimed to isolate the phytochemical components of the root of C. hirsuta and evaluate their in vitro and in silico biological activities. Oleic acid (1), palmitic acid (2), sterols (3 and 4), boehmenan (5), and carolignans E (6 and 7) were isolated by silica gel column chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 5-7 were isolated from the plant for the first time. At 5 mg/mL, the inhibition zone of evaluated compounds ranged from 8.80 to 11.10 mm against all selected bacteria. The MIC of the MeOH and n-hexane: EtOAc (1 : 1) extracts was greater than or equal to 50 mg/mL against all selected bacteria. At 62.5 µg/mL, the % DPPH radical scavenging activity of tested compounds ranged from 30.3% to 92.1% with an IC50 value of 19.4 to 2.1 µg/mL. The results of molecular docking studies indicated that the docking scores of compounds 3-7 ranged from -6.4 to -7.9 kcal/mol against E. coli DNA gyrase B, -8.3 to -9.0 kcal/mol against the Pseudomonas quinolone signal A, -7.1 to -8.5 kcal/mol against pyruvate kinase M2, and -7.9 to -8.5 kcal/mol against human topoisomerase IIß. The results of the in silico antibacterial activity of compounds 3, 5, and 6 supported the in vitro antibacterial test results. Compound 5 had a better docking score against human topoisomerase IIß than the other test samples demonstrating its potential as an anticancer agent. Therefore, compounds 3-7 could be considered as a lead for developing antibacterial and anticancer drugs. Moreover, the presence of these active phytochemicals supports the traditional use of this plant against cancer and bacteria.

A rare case report of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis secondary to pure eythroid leukemia in a person living with HIV.

Pure erythroid leukemia (AML-M6) is a rare variant of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with predominant erythroid lineage proliferation. The incidence of AIDS defining cancers including Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkins lymphoma are on declining trends due to effective use of HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy). Correspondingly, there have been increasing cases of leukemia in persons living with HIV. Our case is a 43 years old male living with HIV who was admitted with high grade fever and mucosal bleeds. On examination, he had periorbital swelling and ecchymosis with hepatosplenomegaly. The laboratory investigations revealed bicytopenia with high ferritin, low fibrinogen and hypertriglyceridemia. A diagnosis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) with H score of 222 was made. Bone marrow examination revealed hypercellular marrow with more than 80% cells of erythroid lineage with 47% proerythroblasts. Suggesting pure erythroid leukemia (AML-M6). This diagnosis with secondary HLH carries a very poor prognosis in persons living with HIV.

IL-27 inhibits anti- Mycobacterium tuberculosis innate immune activity of primary human macrophages.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is an intracellular pathogen that primarily infects macrophages. Despite a robust anti-mycobacterial response, many times macrophages are unable to control M. tuberculosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism by which the immunoregulatory cytokine IL-27 inhibits the anti-mycobacterial activity of primary human macrophages. We found concerted production of IL-27 and anti-mycobacterial cytokines by M. tuberculosis-infected macrophages in a toll-like receptor (TLR) dependent manner. Notably, IL-27 suppressed the production of anti-mycobacterial cytokines TNFα, IL-6, IL-1ß, and IL-15 by M. tuberculosis-infected macrophages. IL-27 limits the anti-mycobacterial activity of macrophages by reducing Cyp27B, cathelicidin (LL-37), LC3B lipidation, and increasing IL-10 production. Furthermore, neutralizing both IL-27 and IL-10 increased the expression of proteins involved in LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) pathway for bacterial clearance, namely vacuolar-ATPase, NOX2, and RUN-domain containing protein RUBCN. These results implicate IL-27 is a prominent cytokine that impedes M. tuberculosis clearance.

Furoquinoline and bisindole alkaloids from the roots of Teclea nobilis and their in-silico molecular docking analysis.

Teclea nobilis is a medicinal plant widely used to treat oral pathogens, gonorrhea, fever, analgesics, asthma, joint pains, pneumonia, and intestinal worms in Ethiopia. Anticipated by these claims, column chromatographic separation of the roots extract of T. nobilis led to the isolation of eight alkaloids (1-8). The structures of the isolated compounds were identified based on their NMR (1D and 2D) spectral data analysis and comparison with reported literature data. In-silico molecular docking analysis of the isolated compounds were performed against Staphylococcus aureus DNA Gyrase (PDB ID: 2XCT) and human topoisomerase IIß DNA (PDB ID: 3QX3) by using AutoDock Vina. ADMET analysis were performed by SwissADME, PreADMET, and OSIRIS Property predictions. The study revealed that the isolated compounds exhibited promising binding affinity to DNA gyrase, especially with compound 5 forms a stable drug-protein complex. Whereas the ADME and drug-likeness analysis revealed that compound 5 is less absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, crossblood brain barrier and a P-glycoprotein substrate. This indicated that compound 5 could be a good candidate as anticancer agent provided that in vivo analysis done for more confirmation.

Monocytic-Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells Suppress T-Cell Responses in Recovered SARS CoV2-Infected Individuals.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS Coronavirus 2 (CoV2) is associated with massive immune activation and hyperinflammatory response. Acute and severe CoV2 infection is characterized by the expansion of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) because of cytokine storm, these MDSC suppress T cell functions. However, the presence of MDSC and its effect on CoV2 antigen specific T cell responses in individuals long after first detection of CoV2 and recovery from infection has not been studied. We and others have previously shown that CD11b+CD33+CD14+HLA-DR-/lo monocytic MDSC (M-MDSC) are present in individuals with clinical recovery from viral infection. In this study, we compared the frequency, functional and transcriptional signatures of M-MDSC isolated from CoV2 infected individuals after 5-months of the first detection of the virus (CoV2+) and who were not infected with CoV2 (CoV2-). Compared to CoV2- individuals, M-MDSC were present in CoV2+ individuals at a higher frequency, the level of M-MDSC correlated with the quantity of IL-6 in the plasma. Compared to CoV2-, increased frequency of PD1+, CD57+ and CX3CR1+ T effector memory (TEM) cell subsets was also present in CoV2+ individuals, but these did not correlate with M-MDSC levels. Furthermore, depleting M-MDSC from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) increased T cell cytokine production when cultured with the peptide pools of immune dominant spike glycoprotein (S), membrane (M), and nucleocapsid (N) antigens of CoV2. M-MDSC suppressed CoV2 S- antigen-specific T cell in ROS, Arginase, and TGFß dependent manner. Our gene expression, RNA-seq and pathway analysis studies further confirm that M-MDSC isolated from CoV2+ individuals are enriched in pathways that regulate both innate and adaptive immune responses, but the genes regulating these functions (HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, HLA-B, NLRP3, IL1ß, CXCL2, CXCL1) remained downregulated in M-MDSC isolated from CoV2+ individuals. These results demonstrate that M-MDSC suppresses recall responses to CoV2 antigens long after recovery from infection. Our findings suggest M-MDSC as novel regulators of CoV2 specific T cell responses, and should be considered as target to augment responses to vaccine.

E-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury: A review of clinico-radio-pathological characteristics.

Aggressive, albeit false marketing of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or vaping devices as safer alternatives to cigarette smoking, combined with lack of regulations, has led to its mass adoption, especially among youth. A sudden increase in acute lung injuries was noted in 2019 which was linked to ENDS. It was termed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as electronic cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI). Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples linked EVALI to vitamin E acetate (VEA), which is used as a diluting agent for marijuana oils. Patients with EVALI present with a combination of non-specific respiratory, gastrointestinal, and systemic symptoms. Laboratory results may show elevated inflammatory biomarkers. EVALI is a diagnosis of exclusion and must meet the following criteria: i) history of vaping within last 90 days, ii) abnormal chest imaging, iii) negative evaluation for infection, and iv) no other plausible diagnosis. A spectrum of computed tomography (CT) chest findings has been reported in EVALI, ranging from diffuse alveolar damage to organizing pneumonia, characterized by bilateral ground-glass opacities, consolidation, and septal thickening. A similar spectrum is seen on histopathology, characterized by lipid-laden alveolar macrophages, with varying degrees of infiltrative inflammatory cells and fibrin deposition. Early and accurate identification of the EVALI pattern can help optimize patient care. For example, in diffuse alveolar damage (DAD), a lower threshold for ventilation support and corticosteroid may improve outcomes. Here, we review the etiopathogenesis, clinical management, histopathology, and imaging features of EVALI.

Analysis of Antimicrobial Activity of Monocytic Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) encompass a subset of myeloid cells, which suppress both innate and adaptive immune functions. Since Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) can infect these cells, interest has emerged to study the antimicrobial response of MDSC to mycobacteria causing tuberculosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical mediators to control intracellular replication of M. tuberculosis and MDSC express high levels of these effector molecules. Here we describe the flow cytometric assessment of total cellular ROS produced by MDSC in response to infection with M. tuberculosis and compare it with the ROS activity of non-MDSC myeloid cells. To further understand the dynamics of host-pathogen interactions, we provide details on methods for measurement of the intracellular replication of M. tuberculosis within MDSC. Of note, these procedures were adopted for primary MDSC and non-MDSC subsets isolated from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-uninfected or HIV-infected individuals, in vitro infected with M. tuberculosis to mimic M. tuberculosis mono- or HIV-M. tuberculosis coinfection, respectively.

Synthesis, DFT Analysis, and Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Sulfathiazole Derivatives Combined with In Silico Molecular Docking and ADMET Predictions.

Synthetic modifications of sulfathiazole derivatives become an interesting approach to enhance their biological properties in line with their applications. As a result, sulfathiazole derivatives become a good candidate and potential class of organic compounds to play an important role towards medicinal chemistry. In present study, one thiazole derivative and two new sulfathiazole derivatives are synthesized with 94% and 72-81% yields, respectively. Furthermore, the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activity against two Gram-negative (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) and two Gram-positive bacterial strains (S. pyogenes and S. aureus) by disk diffusion method. Among synthesized compounds, compound 11a showed potent inhibitory activity against Gram-negative, E. coli with 11.6 ± 0.283 mm zone of inhibition compared to standard drug sulfamethoxazole (15.7 ± 0.707 mm) at 50 mg/mL. The radical scavenging activities of these compounds were evaluated using DPPH radical assay, and compound 11a showed the strongest activity with IC50 values of 1.655 µg/mL. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in silico molecular docking analysis using S. aureus gyrase (PDB ID: 2XCT) and human myeloperoxidase (PDB ID: 1DNU) and were found to have minimum binding energy ranging from -7.8 to -10.0 kcal/mol with 2XCT and -7.5 to -9.7 with 1DNU. Compound 11a showed very good binding score -9.7 kcal/mol with both of the proteins and had promising alignment with in vitro results. Compound 11b also showed high binding scores with both proteins. Drug likeness and ADMET of synthesized compounds were predicted. The DFT analysis of synthesized compounds was performed using Gaussian 09 and visualized through Gauss view 6.0. The structural coordinates of the lead compounds were optimized using B3LYP/6-31 G (d,p) level basis set without any symmetrical constraints. Studies revealed that all the synthesized compounds might be candidates for further antibacterial and antioxidant studies.

Monocytic-Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells of HIV-Infected Individuals With Viral Suppression Exhibit Suppressed Innate Immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis can occur during any stage of Human Immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV) -infection including times when CD4+ T cell numbers have reconstituted and viral replication suppressed. We have previously shown that CD11b+CD33+CD14+HLA-DR-/lo monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) persist in HIV-infected individuals on combined anti-retroviral therapy (cART) and with virologic suppression. The response of MDSC to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is not known. In this study, we compared the anti-mycobacterial activity of MDSC isolated from HIV -infected individuals on cART with virologic suppression (HIV MDSC) and HIV-uninfected healthy controls (HIV (-) MDSC). Compared to HIV (-) MDSC, HIV MDSC produced significantly less quantities of anti-mycobacterial cytokines IL-12p70 and TNFα, and reactive oxygen species when cultured with infectious Mtb or Mtb antigens. Furthermore, HIV MDSC showed changes in the Toll-like receptor and IL-27 signaling, including reduced expression of MyD88 and higher levels of IL-27. Neutralizing IL-27 and overexpression of MyD88 synergistically controlled intracellular replication of Mtb in HIV MDSC. These results demonstrate that MDSC in fully suppressed HIV-infected individuals are permissive to Mtb and exhibit downregulated anti-mycobacterial innate immune activity through mechanisms involving IL-27 and TLR signaling. Our findings suggest MDSC as novel mediators of tuberculosis in HIV-Mtb co-infected individuals with virologic suppression.

Circulating cardiovascular microRNAs in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

AIMS: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a still growing pandemic, causing many deaths and socio-economic damage. Elevated expression of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) entry receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 on cardiac cells of patients with heart diseases may be related to cardiovascular burden. We have thus analysed cardiovascular and inflammatory microRNAs (miRs), sensitive markers of cardiovascular damage, in critically ill, ventilated patients with COVID-19 or influenza-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (Influenza-ARDS) admitted to the intensive care unit and healthy controls. METHODS AND RESULTS: Circulating miRs (miR-21, miR-126, miR-155, miR-208a, and miR-499) were analysed in a discovery cohort consisting of patients with mechanically-ventilated COVID-19 (n = 18) and healthy controls (n = 15). A validation study was performed in an independent cohort of mechanically-ventilated COVID-19 patients (n = 20), Influenza-ARDS patients (n = 13) and healthy controls (n = 32). In both cohorts, RNA was isolated from serum and cardiovascular disease/inflammatory-relevant miR concentrations were measured by miR-specific TaqMan PCR analyses. In both the discovery and the validation cohort, serum concentration of miR-21, miR-155, miR-208a and miR-499 were significantly increased in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy controls. Calculating the area under the curve using receiver operating characteristic analysis miR-155, miR-208a and miR-499 showed a clear distinction between COVID-19 and Influenza-ARDS patients. CONCLUSION: In this exploratory study, inflammation and cardiac myocyte-specific miRs were upregulated in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Importantly, miR profiles were able to differentiate between severely ill, mechanically-ventilated Influenza-ARDS and COVID-19 patients, indicating a rather specific response and cardiac involvement of COVID-19.