Luteolin, inflammation and cancer: Special emphasis on gut microbiota.

Luteolin belongs to the family of flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory functions, potentially useful in a clinical context, particularly for patients suffering from cancer, neuropsychiatric disorders, inflammatory bowel conditions. This peculiarity has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, for many different diseases. Its anti-inflammatory effects might be particularly relevant in cancer, with some studies reporting anti-angiogenesis, anti-metastatic, and apoptotic effects on cancer cells by luteolin and other flavonoids. In this article, we analyze the anti-inflammatory role of luteolin, discussing the pathways it may act on. We will then discuss the possible role of microbiota in inflammatory modulation by luteolin. Finally, the possible therapeutic applications of luteolin's anti-inflammatory properties will be analyzed, with a particular focus on cancer.

Nickel allergy in lipid transfer protein sensitized patients: Prevalence and clinical features.

Nickel (Ni), the main responsible for allergic contact dermatitis worldwide, is also involved in systemic condition called "Systemic Nickel Sulfate Allergy Syndrome (SNAS)." Likewise, IgE-mediated reactivity to Lipid Transfer Protein (LTP) represents the main cause of primary food allergy in adults of Mediterranean countries. We evaluated the prevalence of SNAS in LTP allergic patients and investigated patients' clinical features with double sensitization (LTP and Ni). A retrospective, single-center, observational study was conducted performing a complete allergological work-up including: (1) skin prick tests; (2) serum specific IgE for plant food allergens and rPru p3 (LTP); (3) patch test with 5% Ni sulfate in petrolatum. We enrolled 140 LTP allergic patients of which 36 patients (25.7% of sample) showed additional positivity to Ni patch test. Patients with double sensitization were more frequently females and reported fewer cutaneous symptoms. Higher values of sIgE for peach, apple, peanut, walnut, grain, corn, and garlic were found in LTP allergic patients, while higher values for hazelnut in the other subgroup. The prevalence of SNAS in the LTP allergic population is clinically relevant. Moreover, the clinical and immunological profiles of patients with double sensitization were different from patients monosensitized to LTP.

Interleukin-6 in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The role of interleukin (IL)-6 in health and disease has been under a lot of scrutiny in recent years, particularly during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The inflammatory pathways in which IL-6 is involved are also partly responsible of the development and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), opening interesting perspectives in terms of therapy. Anti-IL-6 drugs are being used with variable degrees of success in other diseases and are being tested in RA. Results have been encouraging, particularly when anti-IL-6 has been used with other drugs, such as metothrexate (MTX). In this review we discuss the main immunologic aspects that make anti-IL-6 a good candidate in RA, but despite the main therapeutic options available to target IL-6, no gold standard treatment has been established so far.

Impact of nickel oral hyposensitization on quality of life in systemic nickel allergy syndrome.

Nickel (Ni) oral hyposensitization treatment (NiOHT) is an effective management approach for Ni allergy. No health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data exist for the pre- and post-treatment with NiOHT in systemic nickel allergy syndrome (SNAS). The aims of this study were (a) to explore HRQoL in SNAS patients, (b) to assess changes of HRQoL after 1 year of NiOHT; (c) to evaluate psychological status of patients. SNAS patients completed the Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey and Psychological General Well-Being Index before and 1 week after the end of NiOHT. Moreover, psychological state was assessed with the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2). A total of 52 patients self-reported pre- and post-treatment questionnaires. HRQoL was poor at baseline. After 1 year of NiOHT, all outcome measure scores improved by about 20% with respect to baseline data (P < 0.01 for all indices, except depressed mood). Finally, 33 patients performed the MMPI-2. High rates for hypochondriasis and depression were noted. Furthermore, most of the patients had high scores for anxiety, depression, and health concerns. This is the first study showing that NiOHT improves HRQoL of SNAS patients, which can be considered a "personalized medicine" approach.

The role of contrast enhanced computed tomography in the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis and comparison with the laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing fasciitis (LRINEC).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in emergency departments for diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis (NF) and for differential diagnosis of other musculoskeletal infections; to correlate radiological findings with the laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing fasciitis (LRINEC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 7 radiological parameters to be analysed on CECT scans were established, exams of 36 patients with proven diagnosis of NF (n 12) and other musculoskeletal infections (n 24) were retrospectively reviewed; LRINEC score was calculated. Fisher's test and Spearman's and Kendall's coefficients of rank correlations were performed. RESULTS: Two parameters were found to be strongly associated with the diagnosis of NF: involvement of the fascia (Spearman's ρ of 0.888, p < 0.001) and lack of fascial enhancement (Spearman's ρ of 0.672, p < 0.001). LRINEC score did not show strong association with the presence of fasciitis NF (Spearman's ρ of 0.490, p = 0.0024). CONCLUSION: Computed tomography (CT) parameters, which are significantly associated with the diagnosis of NF, are the involvement of the fascia and its lack of enhancement; LRINEC score could be high (>5) also in other musculoskeletal infections. Final diagnosis of necrosis among the fascia is surgical. Presence of gas is not a specific sign of necrotizing fasciitis being present in other musculoskeletal infections. CT could easily discriminate NF from other musculoskeletal infections, adds an important value to clinical and laboratory tests in diagnosis of NF in an emergency context when magnetic resonance imaging, which is superior to CT in this discernment, could not be performed.

A case of postsurgical necrotizing fasciitis invading the rectus abdominis muscle and review of the literature.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening, soft tissue infection and an early diagnosis is needed to permit a prompt surgical and medical intervention. Due to the high fatal potential of the disease complications, the radiologist should distinguish necrotizing fasciitis from the most common soft tissue infections, in order to permit a prompt surgical and medical treatment. We present a case of a wide necrotizing fasciitis who presented at our emergency department and we also provide the basic tools, through a review of the literature, for the general radiologist to distinguish, with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, necrotizing fasciitis from the most common infections that could present during our routine practice.