Altered mast cell activity in response to rhinovirus infection provides novel insight into asthma.

Objective: Human rhinoviruses (RVs) are a type of common respiratory virus capable of inducing an asthma attack. Although mast cells are important effector cells involved in allergic disease, little is known about the direct effects of an RV infection on mast cells. The aim of this study is to investigate mast cell behavior in response to RV infection and gain insight into the effects of RVs on mast cells. Methods: Viral replication, cell viability, apoptosis and cytokine release were quantified in Human mast cell-1 (HMC-1) cells following RV16 infection. Results: The results revealed that the viral RNA copy number increased substantially over time. Intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) transcripts were significantly upregulated from 1.79 to 6.37 times following RV16 infection compared to the controls (p ≤ 0.05). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was significantly increased, whereas the cell viability decreased following RV16 infection. Examination of the early cellular response to infection revealed that RV16 increased caspase 3 activity and aggravated apoptotic responses. Furthermore, detection of the innate immune response to RV infection revealed that the release of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and IFN-α by HMC-1 cells increased significantly compared to the control groups. Conclusions: RV infection influences mast cell functionality and promotes the innate immune response of mast cells following viral infection. These results provide a novel insight which mast cells have the potential to be involved in the pathogenesis of RV-induced exacerbations of asthma.

Sequelae of long COVID, known and unknown: A review of updated information.

Over three years have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic started. The dangerousness and impact of COVID-19 should definitely not be ignored or underestimated. Other than the symptoms of acute infection, the long-term symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, which are referred to here as "sequelae of long COVID (LC)", are also a conspicuous global public health concern. Although such sequelae were well-documented, the understanding of and insights regarding LC-related sequelae remain inadequate due to the limitations of previous studies (the follow-up, methodological flaws, heterogeneity among studies, etc.). Notably, robust evidence regarding diagnosis and treatment of certain LC sequelae remain insufficient and has been a stumbling block to better management of these patients. This awkward situation motivated us to conduct this review. Here, we comprehensively reviewed the updated information, particularly focusing on clinical issues. We attempt to provide the latest information regarding LC-related sequelae by systematically reviewing the involvement of main organ systems. We also propose paths for future exploration based on available knowledge and the authors' clinical experience. We believe that these take-home messages will be helpful to gain insights into LC and ultimately benefit clinical practice in treating LC-related sequelae.

Mayo adhesive probability score is associated with perioperative outcomes in retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

BACKGROUNDS: This study aimed to determine whether the Mayo adhesive probability score (MAP), which evaluated adherent perinephric fat (APF), is useful in evaluating the difficulty of retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy (RLA), and to analyse the correlation between MAP and perioperative parameters. METHODS: Clinical data of 104 patients with adrenal adenoma who underwent RLA were collected for retrospective analysis. According to the CT images obtained before surgery, patients were divided into two groups: High MAP group (2-5 points) and Low MAP group (0-1 points). Comparison of the general clinical characteristics and the perioperative data between the two groups was made. RESULTS: There were more male patients (73.7% versus 34.3%), more patients with a smoking history (24.3% versus 7.5%), higher BMI (25.7 versus 23.2, kg/m2 ), and bigger (23.8 versus 18.5, mm) neoplasm in the high MAP group (P < 0.05). Significant difference was observed in operative time (128.8 versus 102.3, min), estimated blood loss (47.2 versus 25.2, ml) and drainage tube removal time (4.0 versus 3.2, d) between the two groups (P < 0.05). A high MAP score (P < 0.001) and the size of tumour (P = 0.024) were independent risk factors for extended operative time. A higher BMI (OR = 1.525, P < 0.001) and larger tumour size (OR = 2.862, P = 0.004) were independent risk factors for a high MAP score. CONCLUSIONS: MAP score was associated with the perioperative outcomes of RLA. BMI and tumour size were better indicators of MAP score, which can influence the difficulty of RLA.

[Human rhinovirus infection promotes mast cell apoptosis and increases the release of inflammatory cytokines].

Objective To investigate the regulation of innate immune response of HMC-1 mast cells to human rhinovirus (HRV) infection. Methods Virus replication in HMC-1 cells was quantified by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry. The levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interferon α (IFN-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8 produced by HMC-1 cells were measured using ELISA. Results After HRV infected HMC-1 cells, the copy numbers of virus RNA and apoptotic cells increased obviously over time, what's more, the release of TNF-α, IFN-α, IL-6 and IL-8 from HMC-1 cells ascended significantly compared with control groups. Conclusion HRV infection can promote mast cell apoptosis and enhance the release of inflammatory cytokines from mast cells.