Serum Concentration of IL-5 Receptor (IL-5R) and Associations with Disease Severity in Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) and Atopic Dermatitis (AD).

The immunological pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) has not been fully elucidated yet. The aim of our research was to assess the serum concentration of interleukin-5 receptor (IL-5R) in relation to the disease activity and pruritus intensity in adult patients with AD and CSU. This pilot study included 45 participants (15 patients with AD, 15 patients with CSU, and 15 healthy controls). Blood samples were taken to examine the serum levels of IL-5R using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. The Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, the Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7), and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to assess the disease activity and the pruritus intensity, respectively. Obtained results revealed that the IL-5R concentration was significantly higher in patients with CSU than in patients with AD and in the controls (p = 0.038). There was a positive correlation between the IL-5R level and the SCORAD index in patients with AD (r = -0.9, p = 0.047), which was not found for the CSU activity by UAS7 and with the pruritus severity by VAS in both examined groups of patients. Our findings underscore higher serum levels of IL-5R among CSU and AD patients, which may highlight its functional role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. In contrast, IL-5R might not be fully useful in reflecting the severity of symptoms. Although our results are promising, this study should be conducted on a larger cohort of patients.

Environmental pollution and extreme weather conditions: insights into the effect on mental health.

Environmental pollution exposures, including air, soil, water, light, and noise pollution, are critical issues that may implicate adverse mental health outcomes. Extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and droughts, may also cause long-term severe concerns. However, the knowledge about possible psychiatric disorders associated with these exposures is currently not well disseminated. In this review, we aim to summarize the current knowledge on the impact of environmental pollution and extreme weather conditions on mental health, focusing on anxiety spectrum disorders, autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and depression. In air pollution studies, increased concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, and SO2 were the most strongly associated with the exacerbation of anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression symptoms. We provide an overview of the suggested underlying pathomechanisms involved. We highlight that the pathogenesis of environmental pollution-related diseases is multifactorial, including increased oxidative stress, systematic inflammation, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, and epigenetic dysregulation. Light pollution and noise pollution were correlated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, the impact of soil and water pollution is discussed. Such compounds as crude oil, heavy metals, natural gas, agro-chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers), polycyclic or polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), solvents, lead (Pb), and asbestos were associated with detrimental impact on mental health. Extreme weather conditions were linked to depression and anxiety spectrum disorders, namely PTSD. Several policy recommendations and awareness campaigns should be implemented, advocating for the advancement of high-quality urbanization, the mitigation of environmental pollution, and, consequently, the enhancement of residents' mental health.

Natural Compounds in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: Prevention and Treatment.

The elevated occurrence of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and the adverse effects associated with available treatments adversely impact the quality of life in multiple dimensions. In connection with this, there is a necessity for alternative approaches characterized by increased tolerance and lower side effects. Natural compounds could be employed due to their safety profile and effectiveness for inflammatory and neoplastic skin diseases. These anti-cancer drugs are often derived from natural sources such as marine, zoonotic, and botanical origins. Natural compounds should exhibit anti-carcinogenic actions through various pathways, influencing apoptosis potentiation, cell proliferation inhibition, and metastasis suppression. This review provides an overview of natural compounds used in cancer chemotherapies, chemoprevention, and promotion of skin regeneration, including polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, vitamins, alkaloids, terpenoids, isothiocyanates, cannabinoids, carotenoids, and ceramides.

An unsuspected histopathological finding -concomitant IgA nephropathy in a patient with ANCA-associated vasculitis: a case report and literature review.

Although associations of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) have been described, this coexistence scarcely occurs and requires multidisciplinary management. Herein, we discuss a course of treatment introduced in a patient with two exacerbations. Furthermore, alterations in histopathological images between two kidney biopsies are presented. The applicability of traditional inflammatory markers, e.g., CRP, in monitoring disease severity in AAV and IgAN is limited. Based on our patient and current literature, we suggest ANCA testing in patients with rapidly progressing IgAN for therapeutic and prognostic purposes. As regards the therapy of IgAN associated with AAV, aggressive immunosuppressive regimens with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide are recommended. Alternatively, methylprednisolone with rituximab, plasma exchange, mycophenolate mofetil, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) could also be considered.

Skin Cancer Risk, Sun-Protection Knowledge and Behavior in Athletes-A Narrative Review.

Outdoor sports are associated with increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which may result in sunburn, solar damage, and skin cancers. Water and winter sports create additional adverse conditions, such as washing away sunscreen by water and reflection of UV rays by the water and snow. Sweating-increased skin photosensitivity and activity-induced immunosuppression are associated with a greater risk of developing skin cancers. In this review, we focus on a group of athletes and sports participants and analyze 62 articles concerning sun exposure during outdoor sports, the risk of developing skin cancer, and knowledge and behavior regarding photoprotection methods. Various practices have been linked to an increased risk of developing basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), malignant melanoma (MM), or UV-induced skin damage. Water sports and mountaineering increase the risk of BCC. Surfing and swimming are risk factors for SCC. Melanoma is more common in swimmers, surfers, and marathon runners. Photoprotection behaviors can reduce potential skin damage and skin cancers. Athletes' knowledge about the risk of malignant lesions was satisfactory, but despite the risks, outdoor sports participants seem not to protect themselves from the sun adequately.

Effect of VEGF Stimulation on CD11b Receptor on Peripheral Eosinophils in Asthmatics.

Asthma is a chronic, complex disease associated with heterogeneity in molecular pathways. Airway inflammation with different cell activation (e.g., eosinophils) and with hypersecretion of many cytokines (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor-VEGF) might be relevant for asthma pathogenesis and responsible for airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling. The aim of our study was to reveal the expression of activation marker CD11b on peripheral eosinophils unstimulated and after VEGF in vitro stimulation in asthmatics with different degrees of airway narrowing. The study population included a total of 118 adult subjects: 78 patients with asthma (among them 39 patients with irreversible bronchoconstriction and 39 patients with reversible bronchoconstriction according to the bronchodilation test) and 40 healthy participants as a control group. CD11b expression on peripheral blood eosinophils was detected in vitro using the flow cytometric method without exogenous stimulation (negative control), after N-formyl-methionine-leucyl-phenylalanine stimulation (fMLP; positive control) and after stimulation with VEGF in two concentrations (250 ng/mL and 500 ng/mL). CD11b marker was slightly presented on unstimulated eosinophils in asthmatics and the subgroup with irreversible airway narrowing (p = 0.06 and p = 0.07, respectively). Stimulation with VEGF enhanced the activity of peripheral eosinophils and induced CD11b expression in asthmatics in comparison with a healthy control (p < 0.05), but it was dependent neither on the concentration of VEGF nor on the degree of airways narrowing in patients with asthma. We present our findings to draw attention to the potential role of VEGF in the eosinophil priming and CD11b-mediated signaling in patients with asthma which is currently undervalued.

The Role of Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in the Pathogenesis of Eosinophilic Asthma.

Asthma is a chronic complex pulmonary disease characterized by airway inflammation, remodeling, and hyperresponsiveness. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) are two significant mediators involved in the pathophysiology of asthma. In asthma, VEGF and EDN levels are elevated and correlate with disease severity and airway hyperresponsiveness. Diversity in VEGF polymorphisms results in the variability of responses to glucocorticosteroids and leukotriene antagonist treatment. Targeting VEGF and eosinophils is a promising therapeutic approach for asthma. We identified lichochalcone A, bevacizumab, azithromycin (AZT), vitamin D, diosmetin, epigallocatechin gallate, IGFBP-3, Neovastat (AE-941), endostatin, PEDF, and melatonin as putative add-on drugs in asthma with anti-VEGF properties. Further studies and clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of those drugs. AZT reduces the exacerbation rate and may be considered in adults with persistent symptomatic asthma. However, the long-term effects of AZT on community microbial resistance require further investigation. Vitamin D supplementation may enhance corticosteroid responsiveness. Herein, anti-eosinophil drugs are reviewed. Among them are, e.g., anti-IL-5 (mepolizumab, reslizumab, and benralizumab), anti-IL-13 (lebrikizumab and tralokinumab), anti-IL-4 and anti-IL-13 (dupilumab), and anti-IgE (omalizumab) drugs. EDN over peripheral blood eosinophil count is recommended to monitor the asthma control status and to assess the efficacy of anti-IL-5 therapy in asthma.

Secondary IgA Nephropathy and IgA-Associated Nephropathy: A Systematic Review of Case Reports.

Primary (pIgAN), secondary IgA nephropathy (sIgAN), and IgA-associated nephropathy can be distinguished. While pIgAN has been thoroughly studied, information about the etiology of sIgAN remains scarce. As concerns sIgAN, several studies suggest that different etiologic factors play a role and ultimately lead to a pathophysiologic process similar to that of pIgAN. In this article, we review a vast number of cases in order to determine the novel putative underlying diseases of sIgAN. Moreover, updates on the common pathophysiology of primary disorders and sIgAN are presented. We identified liver, gastrointestinal, oncological, dermatological, autoimmune, and respiratory diseases, as well as infectious, iatrogenic, and environmental factors, as triggers of sIgAN. As novel biological therapies for listed underlying diseases emerge, we suggest implementing drug-induced sIgAN as a new significant category. Clinicians should acknowledge the possibility of sIgAN progression in patients treated with TNF-α inhibitors, IL-12/IL-23-inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, CTLA-4, oral anticoagulants, thioureylene derivatives, and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs.