First X-ray spectral ptychography and resonant ptychographic computed tomography experiments at the SWING beamline from Synchrotron SOLEIL.

X-ray ptychography and ptychographic computed tomography have seen a rapid rise since the advent of fourth-generation synchrotrons with a high degree of coherent radiation. In addition to quantitative multiscale structural analysis, ptychography with spectral capabilities has been developed, allowing for spatial-localized multiscale structural and spectral information of samples. The SWING beamline of Synchrotron SOLEIL has recently developed a nanoprobe setup where the endstation's first spectral and resonant ptychographic measurements have been successfully conducted. A metallic nickel wire sample was measured using 2D spectral ptychography in XANES mode and resonant ptychographic tomography. From the 2D spectral ptychography measurements, the spectra of the components of the sample's complex-valued refractive index, δ and ß, were extracted, integrated along the sample thickness. By performing resonance ptychographic tomography at two photon energies, 3D maps of the refractive index decrement, δ, were obtained at the Ni K-edge energy and another energy above the edge. These maps allowed the detection of impurities in the Ni wire. The significance of accounting for the atomic scattering factor is demonstrated in the calculation of electron density near a resonance through the use of the δ values. These results indicate that at the SWING beamline it is possible to conduct state-of-the-art spectral and resonant ptychography experiments using the nanoprobe setup.

Biosensor capability of the endometrium is mediated in part, by altered miRNA cargo from conceptus-derived extracellular vesicles.

We tested the hypothesis that the biosensor capability of the endometrium is mediated in part, by the effect of different cargo contained in the extracellular vesicles secreted by the conceptus during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy. We transferred Bos taurus taurus embryos of different origin, in vivo (high developmental potential (IV)), in vitro (intermediate developmental potential (IVF)), or cloned (low developmental potential (NT)), into Bos taurus indicus recipients. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) recovered from Day 16 conceptus-conditioned medium were characterized and their microRNA (miRNA) cargo sequenced alongside RNA sequencing of their respective endometria. There were substantial differences in the endometrial response to in vivo versus in vitro and in vivo versus cloned conceptuses (1153 and 334DEGs respectively) with limited differences between in vitro Vs cloned conceptuses (36 DEGs). The miRNA cargo contained in conceptus-derived EVs was similar between all three groups (426 miRNA in common). Only 8 miRNAs were different between in vivo and cloned conceptuses, while only 6 miRNAs were different between in vivo and in vitro-derived conceptuses. Treatment of endometrial epithelial cells with mimic or inhibitors for miR-128 and miR-1298 changed the proteomic content of target cells (96 and 85, respectively) of which mRNAs are altered in the endometrium in vivo (PLXDC2, COPG1, HSPA12A, MCM5, TBL1XR1, and TTF). In conclusion, we have determined that the biosensor capability of the endometrium is mediated in part, by its response to different EVs miRNA cargo produced by the conceptus during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy.

Sensorless Speed Estimation of Induction Motors through Signal Analysis Based on Chaos Using Density of Maxima.

Three-phase induction motors are widely used in various industrial sectors and are responsible for a significant portion of the total electrical energy consumed. To ensure their efficient operation, it is necessary to apply control systems with specific algorithms able to estimate rotation speed accurately and with an adequate response time. However, the angular speed sensors used in induction motors are generally expensive and unreliable, and they may be unsuitable for use in hostile environments. This paper presents an algorithm for speed estimation in three-phase induction motors using the chaotic variable of maximum density. The technique used in this work analyzes the current signals from the motor power supply without invasive sensors on its structure. The results show that speed estimation is achieved with a response time lower than that obtained by classical techniques based on the Fourier Transform. This technique allows for the provision of motor shaft speed values when operated under variable load.

Identification of a rare copy number polymorphic gain at 3q12.2 with candidate genes for familial endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a complex disease that affects 10-15% of women of reproductive age. Familial studies show that relatives of affected patients have a higher risk of developing the disease, implicating a genetic role for this disorder. Little is known about the impact of germline genomic copy number variant (CNV) polymorphisms on the heredity of the disease. In this study, we describe a rare CNV identified in two sisters with familial endometriosis, which contain genes that may increase the susceptibility and progression of this disease. We investigated the presence of CNVs from the endometrium and blood of the sisters with endometriosis and normal endometrium of five women as controls without the disease using array-CGH through the Agilent 2x400K platform. We excluded common CNVs that were present in the database of genomic variation. We identified, in both sisters, a rare CNV gain affecting 113kb at band 3q12.2 involving two candidate genes: ADGRG7 and TFG. The CNV gain was validated by qPCR. ADGRG7 is located at 3q12.2 and encodes a G protein-coupled receptor influencing the NF-kappaß pathway. TFG participates in chromosomal translocations associated with hematologic tumor and soft tissue sarcomas, and is also involved in the NF-kappa B pathway. The CNV gain in this family provides a new candidate genetic marker for future familial endometriosis studies. Additional longitudinal studies of affected families must confirm any associations between this rare CNV gain and genes involved in the NF-kappaß pathway in predisposition to endometriosis.

Enhance range-of-motion and hypotensive effect in elderly submitted to three manual therapy techniques: Cross-over study.

The present study has two objectives: 1) to verify the effect of Maitland mobilization, manual massage (MM), and static stretching (SS) on the acute range-of-motion (ROM) responses, over 30 min, in the elderly; 2) to verify the effect of Maitland's mobilization, MM, and SS on blood pressure (BP) responses, over 60 min, in the elderly. Sixteen inactive elderly men were recruited. After familiarization, all subjects performed the experimental conditions throughout four remaining sessions. Each session included two baselines ROM measures in randomized order. After baseline, participants completed the control group, Maitland, MM, and SS conditions and retesting immediately (Post-0) e again throughout 30-min following intervention. All conditions increased ankle, hip, and shoulder ROM for at least 10-min post-intervention. Systolic BP hypotensive effects were found for all experimental protocols when compared to baseline values. In conclusion, it was observed that Maitland, MM, and SS conditions enhance ROM and promote hypotensive effect post-intervention. These results have a practical prescription and rehabilitation implications and may be used in the elderly population, since a movement limitation can be treated by global interventions in a non-limited, as well as promoting cardiovascular protection through the hypotensive effects in the same experimental session.

Biosurfactants production by marine yeasts isolated from zoanthids and characterization of an emulsifier produced by Yarrowia lipolytica LMS 24B.

The present study investigates the potential for biosurfactant production of 19 marine yeast species obtained from zoanthids. Using the emulsification index test to screen the samples produced by the marine yeasts, we verified that five isolates exhibited an emulsification index ≥50%. Additional tests were performed on such isolates, including oil displacement, drop collapse, Parafilm M assay, and surface tension measurement. The tolerance of produced biosurfactants for environmental conditions was also analyzed, especially considering the media's temperature, pH, and salinity. Moreover, the surfactant's ability to emulsify different hydrocarbon sources and to metabolize kerosene as the sole carbon source was evaluated in vitro. Our results demonstrate that yeast biosurfactants can emulsify hydrocarbon sources under different physicochemical conditions and metabolize kerosene as a carbon source. Considering the Yarrowia lipolytica LMS 24B as the yeast model for biosurfactant production from the cell's wall biomass, emulsification indexes of 61.2% were obtained, even at a high temperature of 120 °C. Furthermore, the Fourier-transform middle infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of the biosurfactant's chemical composition revealed the presence of distinct functional groups assigned to a glycoprotein complex. Considering the status of developing new bioproducts and bioprocesses nowadays, our findings bring a new perspective to biosurfactant production by marine yeasts, especially Y. lipolytica LMS 24B. In particular, the presented results validate the relevance of marine environments as valuable sources of genetic resources, i.e., yeast strains capable of metabolizing and emulsifying petroleum derivatives.

Sex differences in symptomatology and immune profiles of Long COVID.

Strong sex differences in the frequencies and manifestations of Long COVID (LC) have been reported with females significantly more likely than males to present with LC after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection 1-7 . However, whether immunological traits underlying LC differ between sexes, and whether such differences explain the differential manifestations of LC symptomology is currently unknown. Here, we performed sex-based multi-dimensional immune-endocrine profiling of 165 individuals 8 with and without LC in an exploratory, cross-sectional study to identify key immunological traits underlying biological sex differences in LC. We found that female and male participants with LC experienced different sets of symptoms, and distinct patterns of organ system involvement, with female participants suffering from a higher symptom burden. Machine learning approaches identified differential sets of immune features that characterized LC in females and males. Males with LC had decreased frequencies of monocyte and DC populations, elevated NK cells, and plasma cytokines including IL-8 and TGF-ß-family members. Females with LC had increased frequencies of exhausted T cells, cytokine-secreting T cells, higher antibody reactivity to latent herpes viruses including EBV, HSV-2, and CMV, and lower testosterone levels than their control female counterparts. Testosterone levels were significantly associated with lower symptom burden in LC participants over sex designation. These findings suggest distinct immunological processes of LC in females and males and illuminate the crucial role of immune-endocrine dysregulation in sex-specific pathology.

Hepatic expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and evaluation of MAPK-p38 and NFκB signaling pathways in autoimmune hepatitis.

OBJECTIVES: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a necroinflammatory disease that occurs when genetically susceptible individuals are exposed to an environmental trigger. It is a rare disease, and its epidemiological aspects are nearly unknown in Northeast Brazil. In the literature, the activation of components of the inflammatory cascade pathways, including interleukins such as TNF-α and signaling factors like MAPK-p38 and NFκB, in the pathogenesis of AIH is well described in animal models. This study evaluated, for the first time, the immunostaining of TNF-α, MAPK-p38, and NFκB in immunohistochemical analysis of liver biopsies from AIH patients. The activation of the MAPK-p38 pathway was also studied through immunoassay analysis in the peripheral blood of AIH patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from medical records of 25 AIH patients were analyzed. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis of liver tissue obtained from biopsies was performed to detect NFκB, MAPK-p38, and TNF-α. Immunoassay analysis of the MAPK-p38 pathway was performed in peripheral blood from 18 AIH patients and 8 healthy volunteers. Medical record analysis showed an average age of 33.3 years, with a female predominance in a ratio of 7.3:1. Concomitance with other autoimmune diseases was observed in 36 % of patients, with thyroid disorders being the most prominent among them, and an 8 % indication for liver transplantation. In the evaluation of autoantibodies, ANA was detected in 52 %, followed by SMA at 20 %, and Anti-LKM-1 at 16 %. Liver biopsy findings were like the global literature, with interface hepatitis and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration observed. Immunohistochemical analysis showed immunostaining for NFκB, MAPK-p38, and TNF-α, corroborating the inflammatory and immunological characteristics of the disease. Immunoassay analysis in peripheral blood confirmed the activation of the MAPK-p38 signaling pathway, with a statistically significant difference between AIH patients and healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological and histological findings of AIH in this study in Northeast Brazil were like global population data. Immunohistochemical analysis of liver tissue and immunoassay analysis in peripheral blood confirmed the activation of TNF-α and the NFκB and MAPK-p38 signaling pathways in AIH patients.

ProSPyX: software for post-processing images of X-ray ptychography with spectral capabilities.

X-ray ptychography is a coherent diffraction imaging technique based on acquiring multiple diffraction patterns obtained through the illumination of the sample at different partially overlapping probe positions. The diffraction patterns collected are used to retrieve the complex transmittivity function of the sample and the probe using a phase retrieval algorithm. Absorption or phase contrast images of the sample as well as the real and imaginary parts of the probe function can be obtained. Furthermore, X-ray ptychography can also provide spectral information of the sample from absorption or phase shift images by capturing multiple ptychographic projections at varying energies around the resonant energy of the element of interest. However, post-processing of the images is required to extract the spectra. To facilitate this, ProSPyX, a Python package that offers the analysis tools and a graphical user interface required to process spectral ptychography datasets, is presented. Using the PyQt5 Python open-source module for development and design, the software facilitates extraction of absorption and phase spectral information from spectral ptychographic datasets. It also saves the spectra in file formats compatible with other X-ray absorption spectroscopy data analysis software tools, streamlining integration into existing spectroscopic data analysis pipelines. To illustrate its capabilities, ProSPyX was applied to process the spectral ptychography dataset recently acquired on a nickel wire at the SWING beamline of the SOLEIL synchrotron.

Activation of M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors by proline-rich oligopeptide 7a (Bothrops jararaca snake venom rescues oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells.

Background: The bioactive peptides derived from snake venoms of the Viperidae family species have been promising as therapeutic candidates for neuroprotection due to their ability to prevent neuronal cell loss, injury, and death. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the cytoprotective effects of a synthetic proline-rich oligopeptide 7a (PRO-7a;

Análise das produções científicas sobre atenção integral à saúde do homem: revista Nursing brasileira / Analysis of scientific productions on comprehensive care for men's health: Brazilian Nursing magazine

Objetiva-se analisar as produções cientificas sobre a atenção integral da saúde do homem na Revista Nursing brasileira, São Paulo. Método: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa de literatura, utilizando as bases de dados LILACS e BDENF, o corte epistemológico foi de 2009 a 2019, a amostra final constituiu-se de 10 artigos. Resultados: os dados analisados foram divididos a partir de associações temáticas, em quatro categorias: acesso e acolhimento; saúde sexual e saúde reprodutiva; doenças prevalentes na população masculina e prevenção de violência e acidentes. Conclui-se que o cuidado integral a saúde do homem, e colocá-los como sujeito do cuidado, com autonomia, independência e responsabilidade social.(AU)

The objective is to analyze scientific productions on comprehensive men's health care in the Brazilian Nursing Journal, São Paulo. Method: This is an integrative literature review, using the LILACS and BDENF databases, the epistemological cut was from 2009 to 2019, the final sample consisted of 10 articles. Results: The data analyzed was divided into four categories based on thematic associations: access and reception; sexual health and reproductive health; prevalent diseases in the male population; and prevention of violence and accidents. The conclusion is that comprehensive care for men's health should place them as the subject of care, with autonomy, independence and social responsibility.(AU)

El objetivo es analizar la producción científica sobre atención integral a la salud masculina en la Revista Brasileña de Enfermería, São Paulo. Método: Se trata de una revisión bibliográfica integradora, utilizando las bases de datos LILACS y BDENF, el corte epistemológico fue de 2009 a 2019, la muestra final constó de 10 artículos. Resultados: Los datos analizados se dividieron en cuatro categorías a partir de asociaciones temáticas: acceso y acogida; salud sexual y salud reproductiva; enfermedades prevalentes en la población masculina; y prevención de violencia y accidentes. Se concluye que la atención integral a la salud del hombre debe colocarlo como sujeto de cuidados, con autonomía, independencia y responsabilidad social.(AU)

Impact of COVID-19 vaccination on symptoms and immune phenotypes in vaccine-naïve individuals with Long COVID.

Background: Long COVID contributes to the global burden of disease. Proposed root cause hypotheses include the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 viral reservoir, autoimmunity, and reactivation of latent herpesviruses. Patients have reported various changes in Long COVID symptoms after COVID-19 vaccinations, leaving uncertainty about whether vaccine-induced immune responses may alleviate or worsen disease pathology. Methods: In this prospective study, we evaluated changes in symptoms and immune responses after COVID-19 vaccination in 16 vaccine-naïve individuals with Long COVID. Surveys were administered before vaccination and then at 2, 6, and 12 weeks after receiving the first vaccine dose of the primary series. Simultaneously, SARS-CoV-2-reactive TCR enrichment, SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses, antibody responses to other viral and self-antigens, and circulating cytokines were quantified before vaccination and at 6 and 12 weeks after vaccination. Results: Self-report at 12 weeks post-vaccination indicated 10 out of 16 participants had improved health, 3 had no change, 1 had worse health, and 2 reported marginal changes. Significant elevation in SARS-CoV-2-specific TCRs and Spike protein-specific IgG were observed 6 and 12 weeks after vaccination. No changes in reactivities were observed against herpes viruses and self-antigens. Within this dataset, higher baseline sIL-6R was associated with symptom improvement, and the two top features associated with non-improvement were high IFN-ß and CNTF, among soluble analytes. Conclusions: Our study showed that in this small sample, vaccination improved the health or resulted in no change to the health of most participants, though few experienced worsening. Vaccination was associated with increased SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein-specific IgG and T cell expansion in most individuals with Long COVID. Symptom improvement was observed in those with baseline elevated sIL-6R, while elevated interferon and neuropeptide levels were associated with a lack of improvement.

Carney complex: A clinicopathologic study on a single family from several Canadian provinces.

Carney syndrome is an autosomal dominant complex involving endocrinopathy, mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation, and different tumors, including cardiac myxomas. We report on a single family with several members affected with Carney syndrome. Family and individual medical histories were investigated in several Canadian provinces. The histology slides were also reviewed. Four family members (two young women, both sisters, their mother, and maternal grandmother) were found to harbor Carney syndrome. Everyone was presented with multiple and recurrent atrial myxomas of the heart, requiring multiple open cardiac surgeries. Breast myxomas and cutaneous hyperpigmentation were also revealed in one of the sisters and their mother. Interestingly, genetic testing was positive for the female family members and negative for the father and brother. We cannot rule out that the brother may have had a new mutation or harboring a mosaic. The young woman's brother did not have cardiac myxoma but developed a unilateral Sertoli cell tumor of testis. Carney syndrome is a rare complex multisystemic genetic disorder, including multiple and recurrent cardiac myxomas. We strongly suggest that reporting familial Carney syndrome is still critical in the 21st century to augment the awareness of this situation among clinicians and pathologists.

Activation of M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors by proline-rich oligopeptide 7a (

Background: The bioactive peptides derived from snake venoms of the Viperidae family species have been promising as therapeutic candidates for neuroprotection due to their ability to prevent neuronal cell loss, injury, and death. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the cytoprotective effects of a synthetic proline-rich oligopeptide 7a (PRO-7a; <EDGPIPP) from Bothrops jararaca snake, on oxidative stress-induced toxicity in neuronal PC12 cells and astrocyte-like C6 cells. Methods: Both cells were pre-treated for four hours with different concentrations of PRO-7a, submitted to H2O2-induced damage for 20 h, and then the oxidative stress markers were analyzed. Also, two independent neuroprotective mechanisms were investigated: a) L-arginine metabolite generation via argininosuccinate synthetase (AsS) activity regulation to produce agmatine or polyamines with neuroprotective properties; b) M1 mAChR receptor subtype activation pathway to reduce oxidative stress and neuron injury. Results: PRO-7a was not cytoprotective in C6 cells, but potentiated the H2O2-induced damage to cell integrity at a concentration lower than 0.38 μM. However, PRO-7a at 1.56 µM, on the other hand, modified H2O2-induced toxicity in PC12 cells by restoring cell integrity, mitochondrial metabolism, ROS generation, and arginase indirect activity. The α-Methyl-DL-aspartic acid (MDLA) and L-NΩ-Nitroarginine methyl ester (L-Name), specific inhibitors of AsS and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which catalyzes the synthesis of polyamines and NO from L-arginine, did not suppress PRO-7a-mediated cytoprotection against oxidative stress. It suggested that its mechanism is independent of the production of L-arginine metabolites with neuroprotective properties by increased AsS activity. On the other hand, the neuroprotective effect of PRO-7a was blocked in the presence of dicyclomine hydrochloride (DCH), an M1 mAChR antagonist. Conclusions: For the first time, this work provides evidence that PRO-7a-induced neuroprotection seems to be mediated through M1 mAChR activation in PC12 cells, which reduces oxidative stress independently of AsS activity and L-arginine bioavailability.(AU)

¿Han afectado las restricciones sanitarias del COVID-19 la carga de entrenamiento de pretemporada de los futbolistas Sub-20? / Have the COVID-19 health restrictions affected the preseason training load of U-20 footballers?

Objetivo: Las restricciones de salud pública por el COVID-19 han jugado un papel central en la gestión de los programas de entrenamiento, en los que son escasos los estudios enfocados en la cuantificación de las cargas de entrenamiento en pretemporada, especialmente en futbolistas jóvenes. Por lo tanto, este estudio monitoreó la carga de entrenamiento interno (CEI) durante la pretemporada 2020/2021 durante la pandemia de COVID-19 de los jugadores de fútbol Sub-20. Método: Catorce futbolistas Sub-20 fueron monitoreados durante 7 semanas durante la pretemporada 2020/2021. El CEI de todas las sesiones de entrenamiento se estimó, en unidades arbitrarias, multiplicando el índice de esfuerzo percibido (IEP) para la sesión de entrenamiento completa por la duración de cada sesión de entrenamiento en minutos (IEP-sesión). También se estimaron la monotonía y la tensión de entrenamiento. Un ANOVA unidireccional de medidas repetidas comparó las variables dependientes a lo largo del tiempo. Resultados: En la cuarta semana, la CEI y la tensión de entrenamiento fueron estadísticamente más bajas en comparación con las otras semanas (P<0,05). El índice de monotonía de la semana 7 fue mayor en comparación con las semanas 1, 3 y 4 (P<0,05). Conclusión: Las restricciones sanitarias por el COVID-19 han afectado negativamente la carga de entrenamiento de pretemporada de los futbolistas Sub-20. Sin embargo, el índice de monotonía mostró que las cargas de entrenamiento estaban bien distribuidas durante las 7 semanas. (AU)

Adaptation and Validation of the International Pelvic Pain Society's Quality of Life Questionnaire in Portuguese.

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, our aim was to translate, adapt, and validate the Pelvic Health History Form (a quality of life [QoL] questionnaire) of the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS) from English to Portuguese. METHODS: The study was approved by the Ethics and Research Committee (CEP, in the Portuguese acronym) and the IPPS. The "Transcultural Adaptation" method comprised 5 stages: translation, synthesis, backtranslation, expert review, and pretest. Cultural adaptation and validation included cognitive interviews and statistical analysis of unanswered items (> 15%) in 14 clinic patients from CPP and endometriosis clinic at Santa Casa de São Paulo. RESULTS: Strong equivalences were established between the USA and Brazil questionnaires in terms of semantics, idioms, experiences, and concepts. Eighteen culturally inappropriate items were identified and adjusted using the revised response rate index. The subjective form underwent rigorous assessments, confirming its accurate measurement of intended targets. CONCLUSION: The methodology showed efficiency and equivalence, confirming its validity. The user-friendly format and inclusion of translated, adapted, and validated instruments in Portuguese make the form valuable for evaluating pelvic health, with potential for future research.

OBJETIVO: Realizar a tradução, adaptação e validação do questionário de qualidade de vida Pelvic Health History Form da International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS, na sigla em inglês) para a língua portuguesa. MéTODOS: Aprovação do Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa (CEP) e consentimento do IPPS. A metodologia "Adaptação Transcultural" foi utilizada em cinco etapas: (I) tradução; (II) síntese; (III) retradução; (IV) revisão pelo comitê de especialistas; (V) pré-teste, seguido de adaptação cultural e validação por meio de entrevista cognitiva e análise estatística da taxa de ausência de respostas > 15% após aplicação do instrumento em 14 pacientes do ambulatório de DPC e endometriose da Santa Casa de São Paulo. RESULTADOS: Equivalências semântica, idiomática, experiencial e conceitual entre o questionário de país fonte (EUA) e alvo (Brasil) foram bem estabelecidas. Dezoito itens culturalmente impróprios, de acordo com o índice de ausência de respostas revisados, adaptados e realizada validade de face e de constructo, avaliando forma subjetiva, confiável que o instrumento mede o que pretende medir. CONCLUSãO: A metodologia utilizada foi eficiente, com boa equivalência com o material de origem concluindo a sua validade. Formulário de formato simples, fácil aplicação e compreensão, composto por diversos instrumentos já traduzidos, adaptados e validados em nossa língua. O formulário auxilia avaliação multidimensional da saúde pélvica destas pacientes e poderá ser utilizado em estudos futuros.

Leptin favors imbalance of antigen-specific CD4+ T-cells associated with severity of cat allergy.

Introduction: Obesity can complicate IgE-mediated allergic diseases. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the ability of obesity-related concentrations of leptin to modulate the in vitro effector and regulatory Fel d1-specific CD4+ T-cell subsets in patients allergic to cat, considered the third most common cause of respiratory allergy in humans. Methods: For this study, plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 30 cat-allergic patients with mild, moderate and severe respiratory symptoms were obtained. The PBMC cultures were stimulated with Fel d1 antigen (10 µg/mL) in the presence or absence of obesity-related leptin dose (50 ηg/mL). After 6 days, the levels of cytokines and IgE in the supernatants were evaluated by multiplex and ELISA, respectively. The frequency of different non-follicular (CXCR5-) and follicular (CXCR5+) Fel d1-specific CD4+ T cell subsets was determined by flow cytometry. The plasma levels of leptin and IgE anti-cat titers were evaluated by ELISA and ImmunoCAP, respectively. Results and conclusions: Fel d1 induced both IgE production and release of cytokines related to Th2, Th9 and Th17 cell phenotypes. Feld1 was more efficient in increasing the frequency of TFHIL-21- cells positive for IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 than TFHIL-21+ cell subsets. Leptin favored the expansion Th2-like and Th9-like cells and TFHIL-21- cells positive for IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, but reduced the proportion of conventional (Treg/Tr-1) and follicular (TFR) regulatory CD4+ T-cell subsets expressing or not CD39 marker. Finally, many of the imbalances between Fel d1-specific CD4+ T-cells were also correlated with plasma leptin and anti-Fel d1 IgE titers. In summary, hyperleptinemia should negatively impact on the severity of cat allergies by favoring the expansion of pathogenic Fel d1-specific CD4+ T-cell phenotypes and damaging the functional status of regulatory CD4+ T-cell subsets.

Distinguishing features of long COVID identified through immune profiling.

Post-acute infection syndromes may develop after acute viral disease1. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 can result in the development of a post-acute infection syndrome known as long COVID. Individuals with long COVID frequently report unremitting fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and a variety of cognitive and autonomic dysfunctions2-4. However, the biological processes that are associated with the development and persistence of these symptoms are unclear. Here 275 individuals with or without long COVID were enrolled in a cross-sectional study that included multidimensional immune phenotyping and unbiased machine learning methods to identify biological features associated with long COVID. Marked differences were noted in circulating myeloid and lymphocyte populations relative to the matched controls, as well as evidence of exaggerated humoral responses directed against SARS-CoV-2 among participants with long COVID. Furthermore, higher antibody responses directed against non-SARS-CoV-2 viral pathogens were observed among individuals with long COVID, particularly Epstein-Barr virus. Levels of soluble immune mediators and hormones varied among groups, with cortisol levels being lower among participants with long COVID. Integration of immune phenotyping data into unbiased machine learning models identified the key features that are most strongly associated with long COVID status. Collectively, these findings may help to guide future studies into the pathobiology of long COVID and help with developing relevant biomarkers.