Role of Angiotensin II in Non-Alcoholic Steatosis Development

Fatty liver is a multifactorial disease characterized by excessive accumulation of lipids in hepatocytes (steatosis), insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammation. This disease has a major public health impact because it is the first stage of a chronic and degenerative process in the liver that can lead to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Although this disease is mainly diagnosed in patients with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia, recent evidence indicates that vasoactive hormones such as angiotensin II (ANGII) not only promote endothelial dysfunction (ED) and hypertension, but also cause fatty liver, increase adipose tissue, and develop a pro-steatotic environment characterized by a low-grade systemic pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant state, with elevated blood lipid levels. The role of ANGII in lipid accumulation has been little studied, so this review aims to summarize existing reports on the possible mechanism of action of ANGII in inducing lipid accumulation in hepatocytes.

How inflammation influences psychiatric disease

Recent studies highlight the strong correlation between infectious diseases and the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. In this editorial, we comment on the article "Anti-infective therapy durations predict psychological stress and laparoscopic surgery quality in pelvic abscess patients" by Zhang et al, published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Psychiatry 2023; 13 (11): 903-911. Our discussion highlighted the potential consequences of anxiety, depression, and psychosis, which are all linked to bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, which are relevant to the impact of inflammation on the sequelae in mental health as those we are observing after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. We focus specifically on the immune mechanisms triggered by inflammation, the primary contributor to psychiatric complications. Importantly, pathophysiological mechanisms such as organ damage, post-injury inflammation, and infection-induced endocrine alterations, including hypocortisolism or autoantibody formation, significantly contribute to the development of chronic low-grade inflammation, promoting the emergence or development of psychiatric alterations in susceptible individuals. As inflammation can have long-term effects on patients, a multidisciplinary treatment plan can avoid complications and debilitating health issues, and it is crucial to recognize and address the mental health implications.

Chronic Comorbidities in Middle Aged Patients Contribute to Ineffective Emergency Hematopoiesis in Covid-19 Fatal Outcomes

Background and Aims

. Mexico is among the countries with the highest estimated excess mortality rates due to the COVID–19 pandemic, with more than half of reported deaths occurring in adults younger than 65 years old. Although this behavior is presumably influenced by the young demographics and the high prevalence of metabolic diseases, the underlying mechanisms have not been determined.

Methods

. The age–stratified case fatality rate (CFR) was estimated in a prospective cohort with 245 hospitalized COVID–19 cases, followed through time, for the period October 2020–September 2021. Cellular and inflammatory parameters were exhaustively investigated in blood samples by laboratory test, multiparametric flow cytometry and multiplex immunoassays.

Results

. The CFR was 35.51%, with 55.2% of deaths recorded in middle–aged adults. On admission, hematological cell differentiation, physiological stress and inflammation parameters, showed distinctive profiles of potential prognostic value in patients under 65 at 7 d follow–up.

Pre–existing metabolic conditions were identified as risk factors of poor outcomes. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), as single comorbidity or in combination with diabetes, had the highest risk for COVID–19 fatality. Of note, fatal outcomes in middle–aged patients were marked from admission by an inflammatory landscape and emergency myeloid hematopoiesis at the expense of functional lymphoid innate cells for antiviral immunosurveillance, including NK and dendritic cell subsets.

Conclusions

. Comorbidities increased the development of imbalanced myeloid phenotype, rendering middle–aged individuals unable to effectively control SARS–CoV–2. A predictive signature of high–risk outcomes at day 7 of disease evolution as a tool for their early stratification in vulnerable populations is proposed.

Starting from scratch: Step-by-step development of diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 detection by RT-LAMP

The pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected millions of people worldwide. Public health strategies to reduce viral transmission are based on widespread diagnostic testing to detect and isolate contagious patients. Several reverse transcription (RT)-PCR tests, along with other SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic assays, are available to attempt to cover the global demand. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) based methods have been established as rapid, accurate, point of care diagnostic tests for viral infections; hence, they represent an excellent alternative for SARS-CoV-2 detection. The aim of this study was to develop and describe molecular detection systems for SARS-CoV-2 based on RT-LAMP. Recombinant DNA polymerase from Bacillus stearothermophilus and thermostable engineered reverse transcriptase from Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus were expressed using a prokaryotic system and purified by fast protein liquid chromatography. These enzymes were used to set up fluorometric real time and colorimetric end-point RT-LAMP assays. Several reaction conditions were optimized such as reaction temperature, Tris-HCl concentration, and pH of the diagnostic tests. The key enzymes for RT-LAMP were purified and their enzymatic activity was determined. Standardized reaction conditions for both RT-LAMP assays were 65°C and a Tris-HCl-free buffer at pH 8.8. Colorimetric end-point RT-LAMP assay was successfully used for viral detection from clinical saliva samples with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity compared to the results obtained by RT-qPCR based diagnostic protocols with Ct values until 30. The developed RT-LAMP diagnostic tests based on purified recombinant enzymes allowed a sensitive and specific detection of the nucleocapsid gene of SARS-CoV-2.

Potential of ATR-FTIR-Chemometrics in Covid-19: Disease Recognition

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disturbances to human health and economy on a global scale. Although vaccination campaigns and important advances in treatments have been developed, an early diagnosis is still crucial. While PCR is the golden standard for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection, rapid and low-cost techniques such as ATR-FTIR followed by multivariate analyses, where dimensions are reduced for obtaining valuable information from highly complex data sets, have been investigated. Most dimensionality reduction techniques attempt to discriminate and create new combinations of attributes prior to the classification stage; thus, the user needs to optimize a wealth of parameters before reaching reliable and valid outcomes. In this work, we developed a method for evaluating SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease severity on infrared spectra of sera, based on a rather simple feature selection technique (correlation-based feature subset selection). Dengue infection was also evaluated for assessing whether selectivity toward a different virus was possible with the same algorithm, although independent models were built for both viruses. High sensitivity (94.55%) and high specificity (98.44%) were obtained for assessing SARS-CoV-2 infection with our model; for severe COVID-19 disease classification, sensitivity is 70.97% and specificity is 94.95%; for mild disease classification, sensitivity is 33.33% and specificity is 94.64%; and for dengue infection assessment, sensitivity is 84.27% and specificity is 94.64%.

The percentage of CD39+ monocytes is higher in pregnant COVID-19+ patients than in nonpregnant COVID-19+ patients

Current medical guidelines consider pregnant women with COVID-19 to be a high-risk group. Since physiological gestation downregulates the immunological response to maintain “maternal-fetal tolerance”, SARS-CoV-2 infection may constitute a potentially threatening condition to both the mother and the fetus. To establish the immune profile in pregnant COVID-19+ patients, a cross-sectional study was conducted. Pregnant women with COVID-19 (P-COVID-19+; n = 15) were analyzed and compared with nonpregnant women with COVID-19 (NP-COVID-19+; n = 15) or those with physiological pregnancy (P-COVID-19-; n = 13). Serological cytokine and chemokine concentrations, leucocyte immunophenotypes, and mononuclear leucocyte responses to polyclonal stimuli were analyzed in all groups. Higher concentrations of serological TNF-α, IL-6, MIP1b and IL-4 were observed within the P-COVID-19+ group, while cytokines and chemokines secreted by peripheral leucocytes in response to LPS, IL-6 or PMA-ionomicin were similar among the groups. Immunophenotype analysis showed a lower percentage of HLA-DR+ monocytes in P-COVID-19+ than in P-COVID-19- and a higher percentage of CD39+ monocytes in P-COVID-19+ than in NP-COVID-19+. After whole blood polyclonal stimulation, similar percentages of T cells and TNF+ monocytes between groups were observed. Our results suggest that P-COVID-19+ elicits a strong inflammatory response similar to NP-COVID19+ but also displays an anti-inflammatory response that controls the ATP/adenosine balance and prevents hyperinflammatory damage in COVID-19.

Increased Tnf- Production In Response To Il-6 In Patients With Systemic Inflammation Without Infection

Acute systemic inflammation can lead to life-threatening organ dysfunction. In patients with sepsis, systemic inflammation is triggered in response to infection, but in other patients, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is triggered by non-infectious events. IL-6 is a major mediator of inflammation, including systemic inflammatory responses. In homeostatic conditions, when IL-6 engages its membrane-bound receptor on myeloid cells, it promotes pro-inflammatory cytokine production, phagocytosis and cell migration. However, under non-physiologic conditions, such as SIRS and sepsis, leucocyte dysfunction could modify the response of these cells to IL-6. So, our aim was to evaluate the response to IL-6 of monocytes from patients diagnosed with SIRS or sepsis. We observed that monocytes from patients with SIRS, but not from patients with sepsis, produced significantly more TNF-α than monocytes from healthy volunteers, after stimulation with IL-6. Monocytes from SIRS patients had a significantly increased baseline phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of NF-κB, with no differences in STAT3 phosphorylation or SOCS3 levels, compared to monocytes from septic patients, and this increased phosphorylation was maintained during the IL-6 activation. We found no significant differences in the expression levels of the membrane-bound IL-6 receptor, or the serum levels of IL-6, soluble IL-6 receptor, or soluble gp130, between patients with SIRS and patients with sepsis. Our results suggest that, during systemic inflammation in the absence of infection, IL-6 promotes TNF-α production by activating NF-κB, and not the canonical STAT3 pathway.

Molecular changes in adipocyte-derived stem cells during their interplay with cervical cancer cells

PURPOSE

Obesity is as an important risk factor and has been associated with a worse prognosis in at least 13 distinct tumor types. This is partially due to intercellular communication between tumor cells and adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs), which are increased in obese individuals. As yet, however, little is known about the molecular changes occurring in ADSCs in these conditions. Cervical cancer has a high incidence and mortality rate in women from developing countries, particularly in those with a high body mass index (BMI).

METHODS

We analyzed the expression profile of ADSCs co-cultured with cervical cancer cells through massive RNA sequencing followed by evaluation of various functional alterations resulting from the modified transcriptome.

RESULTS

A total of 761 coding and non-coding dysregulated RNAs were identified in ADSCs after co-culture with HeLa cells (validation in CaSki and SiHA cells). Subsequent network analysis showed that these changes were correlated with migration, stemness, DNA repair and cytokine production. Functional experiments revealed a larger ALDH^high subpopulation and a higher migrative capacity of ADSCs after co-culture with HeLa cells. Interestingly, CXCL3 and its intragenic long-noncoding RNA, lnc-CXCL3, were found to be co-regulated during co-culture. A loss-of-function assay revealed that lnc-CXCL3 acts as a key regulator of CXCL3 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that intercellular communication between ADSCs and cervical cancer cells modifies the RNA expression profile in the former, including that of lncRNAs, which in turn can regulate the expression of diverse chemokines that favor malignancy-associated capacities such as migration.

Increased expression of hypoxia-induced factor 1α mRNA and its related genes in myeloid blood cells from critically ill COVID-19 patients

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 counts 46 million people infected and killed more than 1.2 million. Hypoxaemia is one of the main clinical manifestations, especially in severe cases. HIF1α is a master transcription factor involved in the cellular response to oxygen levels. The immunopathogenesis of this severe form of COVID-19 is poorly understood.

METHODS

We performed scRNAseq from leukocytes from five critically ill COVID-19 patients and characterized the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor1α and its transcriptionally regulated genes. Also performed metanalysis from the publicly available RNAseq data from COVID-19 bronchoalveolar cells.

RESULTS

Critically-ill COVID-19 patients show a shift towards an immature myeloid profile in peripheral blood cells, including band neutrophils, immature monocytes, metamyelocytes, monocyte-macrophages, monocytoid precursors, and promyelocytes-myelocytes, together with mature monocytes and segmented neutrophils. May be the result of a physiological response known as emergency myelopoiesis. These cellular subsets and bronchoalveolar cells express HIF1α and their transcriptional targets related to inflammation (CXCL8, CXCR1, CXCR2, and CXCR4); virus sensing, (TLR2 and TLR4); and metabolism (SLC2A3, PFKFB3, PGK1, GAPDH and SOD2).

CONCLUSIONS

The up-regulation and participation of HIF1α in events such as inflammation, immunometabolism, and TLR make it a potential molecular marker for COVID-19 severity and, interestingly, could represent a potential target for molecular therapy. Key messages Critically ill COVID-19 patients show emergency myelopoiesis. HIF1α and its transcriptionally regulated genes are expressed in immature myeloid cells which could serve as molecular targets. HIF1α and its transcriptionally regulated genes is also expressed in lung cells from critically ill COVID-19 patients which may partially explain the hypoxia related events.

Cellular Markers of Immunosuppression in Sepsis

Sepsis is a pathological condition frequently caused by invasion of a pathogen and the subsequent unregulated response that threatens the patient's life through diverse organ failure. The incidence of sepsis is increasing, and there is no specific therapy. Despite technological contributions to treat sepsis or increased knowledge of its molecular pathophysiology, mortality remains high, and sepsis is a global health problem. Knowledge of the role of the cells involved in the host response through the synthesis of inflammatory mediators and their different effects on cells, tissues or systems is key to the development of medical treatments that regulate systems involved in such responses to pathogens. This review addresses new insights into the role of cells, their mediators, and the interaction between them that lead to the development of a state of immunosuppression.

Surgical initial experience in patients with COVID-19

ANTECEDENTES

La pandemia de COVID-19 ha ocasionado que los servicios de cirugía y de salud en todo el mundo tengan que reorganizarse y planear para poder brindar la mejor atención a los pacientes, con la protección necesaria para el personal de salud. Algunos de estos pacientes requerirán tratamiento quirúrgico, ya sea electivo o de urgencia.

OBJETIVO

Reportar la experiencia inicial en el manejo de pacientes con COVID-19 que ameritaron tratamiento quirúrgico por los servicios de cirugía de un hospital de referencia.

MÉTODO

Revisión de los protocolos quirúrgicos, equipo de protección personal usado por los equipos quirúrgicos y resultados del tratamiento de 42 pacientes sometidos a cirugía en un periodo de 4 meses.

RESULTADOS

Fueron intervenidos 42 pacientes con COVID-19. Treinta pacientes tenían diagnóstico de infección por SARS-CoV-2 y en 12 casos el diagnóstico fue clínico y por imagen. Las cirugías más frecuentes fueron traqueostomía en 16 pacientes (38%) y laparotomías exploradoras en 8 pacientes (19%). La mediana de estancia posoperatoria fue de 17 días y la mortalidad durante los primeros 30 días fue del 26%.

CONCLUSIONES

Es necesaria la reorganización de los departamentos quirúrgicos y del hospital para poder atender adecuadamente a los pacientes con COVID-19 y proteger al personal de salud. Los pacientes pueden presentan patologías que requieran tratamiento quirúrgico. Relacionado con la infección y la mayor frecuencia de comorbilidad, la mortalidad de estos pacientes es elevada.

INTRODUCTION

the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a reorganization of hospital and general surgery departments worldwide to assure the best medical and surgical treatment of patients with this disease and protection of the health-related personnel. Some of them will require surgical treatment either elective or urgent.

OBJECTIVE

report the initial experience in the management of patients with COVID-19 in a third level hospital.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

a review of the surgical protocols, personal protection equipment used by the surgical teams, and results of the treatment of forty-two patients submitted to surgery.

RESULTS

During four months (April-July 2020) forty-two patients with suspicion or confirmed infection of SARS-CoV2 underwent surgical treatment. The most common surgery was tracheostomy in 16 patients (38%) followed by exploratory laparotomy in 8 patients (19%). The median postoperative stay was 17 days and the thirty-day postoperative mortality rate was 26%.

CONCLUSIONS

reorganization of the general surgery department and the hospital, favors adequate management and treatment of patients with COVID-19 and protection to the health-related personnel. Due to the usual co-existence of comorbidities and pulmonary complications the postoperative mortality of these patients is high.

Diagnostic accuracy of symptoms as a diagnostic tool for SARS-CoV 2 infection: a cross-sectional study in a cohort of 2,173 patients

BACKGROUND

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to be a priority health problem; According to the World Health Organization data from October 13, 2020, 37,704,153 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported, including 1,079,029 deaths, since the outbreak. The identification of potential symptoms has been reported to be a useful tool for clinical decision-making in emergency departments to avoid overload and improve the quality of care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performances of symptoms as a diagnostic tool for SARS -CoV-2 infection.

METHODS

An observational, cross-sectional, prospective and analytical study was carried out, during the period of time from April 14 to July 21, 2020. Data (demographic variables, medical history, respiratory and non-respiratory symptoms) were collected by emergency physicians. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was made using SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR. The diagnostic accuracy of these characteristics for COVID-19 was evaluated by calculating the positive and negative likelihood ratios. A Mantel-Haenszel and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association of symptoms with COVID-19.

RESULTS

A prevalence of 53.72% of SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed. The symptom with the highest sensitivity was cough 71%, and a specificity of 52.68%. The symptomatological scale, constructed from 6 symptoms, obtained a sensitivity of 83.45% and a specificity of 32.86%, taking ≥2 symptoms as a cut-off point. The symptoms with the greatest association with SARS-CoV-2 were: anosmia odds ratio (OR) 3.2 (95% CI; 2.52-4.17), fever OR 2.98 (95% CI; 2.47-3.58), dyspnea OR 2.9 (95% CI; 2.39-3.51]) and cough OR 2.73 (95% CI: 2.27-3.28).

CONCLUSION

The combination of ≥2 symptoms / signs (fever, cough, anosmia, dyspnea and oxygen saturation < 93%, and headache) results in a highly sensitivity model for a quick and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19, and should be used in the absence of ancillary diagnostic studies. Symptomatology, alone and in combination, may be an appropriate strategy to use in the emergency department to guide the behaviors to respond to the disease.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Institutional registration R-2020-3601-145, Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks 17 CI-09-015-034, National Bioethics Commission: 09 CEI-023-2017082 .

A Shift Towards an Immature Myeloid Profile in Peripheral Blood of Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

Background

SARS-CoV-2, the etiological agent causing COVID-19, has infected more than 27 million people with over 894000 deaths worldwide since its emergence in December 2019. Factors for severe diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity have been identified however, the precise pathogenesis is poorly understood. To understand its pathophysiology and to develop effective therapeutic strategies, it is essential to define the prevailing immune cellular subsets.

Methods

We performed whole circulating immune cells scRNAseq from five critically ill COVID-19 patients, trajectory and gene ontology analysis.

Results

Immature myeloid populations, such as promyelocytes-myelocytes, metamyelocytes, band neutrophils, monocytoid precursors, and activated monocytes predominated. The trajectory with pseudotime analysis supported the finding of immature cell states. While the gene ontology showed myeloid cell activation in immune response, DNA and RNA processing, defense response to the virus, and response to type 1 interferon. Lymphoid lineage was scarce. Expression of genes such as C/EBPβ, IRF1and FOSL2 potentially suggests the induction of trained immunity.

Conclusions

Our results uncover transcriptomic profiles related to immature myeloid lineages and suggest the potential induction of trained immunity.

[Anti-interleukin 6 receptor antibody treatment in patients with COVID-19, is it key to reduce mortality?]

Interleukin 6 receptor antagonists are used for the treatment of severe chronic inflammatory diseases. Recently they have been proposed as a treatment for severe COVID-19 patients. However, there is scarce scientific evidence to support this, which is why it is necessary to generate scientific evidence and perform clinical trials to evaluate the appropriateness of this therapeutic strategy.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote the malignant phenotype of cervical cancer

Epidemiological studies indicate that obesity negatively affects the progression and treatment of cervical-uterine cancer. Recent evidence shows that a subpopulation of adipose-derived stem cells can alter cancer properties. In the present project, we described for the first time the impact of adipose-derived stem cells over the malignant behavior of cervical cancer cells. The transcriptome of cancer cells cultured in the presence of stem cells was analyzed using RNA-seq. Changes in gene expression were validated using digital-PCR. Bioinformatics tools were used to identify the main transduction pathways disrupted in cancer cells due to the presence of stem cells. In vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to validate cellular and molecular processes altered in cervical cancer cells owing to stem cells. Our results show that the expression of 95 RNAs was altered in cancer cells as a result of adipose-derived stem cells. Experimental assays indicate that stem cells provoke an increment in migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and tumorigenesis of cancer cells; however, no alterations were found in proliferation. Bioinformatics and experimental analyses demonstrated that the NF-kappa B signaling pathway is enriched in cancer cells due to the influence of adipose-derived stem cells. Interestingly, the tumor cells shift their epithelial to a mesenchymal morphology, which was reflected by the increased expression of specific mesenchymal markers. In addition, stem cells also promote a stemness phenotype in the cervical cancer cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that adipose-derived stem cells induce cervical cancer cells to acquire malignant features where NF-kappa B plays a key role.

Effect of Preoperative Administration of Oral Arginine and Glutamine in Patients with Enterocutaneous Fistula Submitted to Definitive Surgery: a Prospective Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

The use of glutamine and arginine has shown several advantages in postoperative outcomes in patients after gastrointestinal surgery. We determined the effects of its use in patients with enterocutaneous fistula after operative treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty patients with enterocutaneous fistula were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group received the standard medical care while the patients of the experimental group were supplemented with enteral administration of 4.5 g of arginine and 10 g of glutamine per day for 7 days prior to the surgery. The primary outcome variable was the recurrence of the fistula and the secondary outcomes were preoperative and postoperative serum concentrations of interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein and postoperative infectious complications.

RESULTS

Twenty patients were assigned to each group. The fistula recurred in two patients (10%) of the experimental group and in nine patients (45%) of the control group (P < 0.001). We found a total of 13 infectious complications in six patients of the control group (all with fistula recurrence) and none in the experimental group. Mean preoperative serum concentrations of interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein were lower in patients from the experimental group. In addition, these levels were lower in patients who had recurrence if compared to patients that did not recur.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative administration of oral arginine and glutamine could be valuable in the postoperative recovery of patients with enterocutaneous fistulas submitted to definitive surgery.

Results after Definitive Surgical Treatment in Patients with Enteroatmospheric Fistula

As enteroatmospheric fistulas (EAF) lack healthy overlying tissue, spontaneous healing is very unlikely. Our aim was to identify risk factors for recurrence and mortality after definitive surgical treatment for EAF. Sixty-two consecutive patients with a diagnosis of EAF were submitted to definitive surgical repair (fistula resection and primary anastomosis) during a 6-year period. Several patient, disease, and operative variables were assessed as risk factors associated to our endpoints: recurrence and mortality. All patients were followed-up until hospital discharge or death. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed. There were 24 females and 38 males with a median age of 53 years (interquartile ranges 43–63). EAF recurred in 23 patients. Univariate analysis identified several risk factors for recurrence which included performing more than one anastomosis (20 vs 52%, P = 0.013), failure of achieving total abdominal closure (16 vs 47%, P = 0.025), intraoperative hemorrhage >400 cc (28 vs 65%, P = 0.007), presence of multiple fistulas (25 vs 61%, P = 0.008), and preoperative C-reactive protein >0.5 mg/dL (54 vs 82%, P = 0.029). The latter two remained significant after multivariate analysis. Final EAF closure was attained in 47 patients (76%) and 8 more (13%) had a low-output (<50 mL/day) enterocutaneous fistula. Timing of surgery was not related to fistula recurrence. Eight patients died (13%), and fistula recurrence was the only risk factor found related to mortality both through univariate (26 vs 5%, P = 0.043) and after multivariate analysis. EAF management represents a rather challenging problem. Timing for surgical treatment is controversial and is based mostly on patient status and surgeon's criteria. Recurrence is associated to EAF characteristics and an inflammatory state; it was also the only factor associated to mortality.

Results after Definitive Surgical Treatment in Patients with Enteroatmospheric Fistula

As enteroatmospheric fistulas (EAF) lack healthy overlying tissue, spontaneous healing is very unlikely. Our aim was to identify risk factors for recurrence and mortality after definitive surgical treatment for EAF. Sixty-two consecutive patients with a diagnosis of EAF were submitted to definitive surgical repair (fistula resection and primary anastomosis) during a 6-year period. Several patient, disease, and operative variables were assessed as risk factors associated to our endpoints: recurrence and mortality. All patients were followed-up until hospital discharge or death. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed. There were 24 females and 38 males with a median age of 53 years (interquartile ranges 43-63). EAF recurred in 23 patients. Univariate analysis identified several risk factors for recurrence which included performing more than one anastomosis (20 vs 52%, P = 0.013), failure of achieving total abdominal closure (16 vs 47%, P = 0.025), intraoperative hemorrhage >400 cc (28 vs 65%, P = 0.007), presence of multiple fistulas (25 vs 61%, P = 0.008), and preoperative C-reactive protein >0.5 mg/dL (54 vs 82%, P = 0.029). The latter two remained significant after multivariate analysis. Final EAF closure was attained in 47 patients (76%) and 8 more (13%) had a low-output (<50 mL/day) enterocutaneous fistula. Timing of surgery was not related to fistula recurrence. Eight patients died (13%), and fistula recurrence was the only risk factor found related to mortality both through univariate (26 vs 5%, P = 0.043) and after multivariate analysis. EAF management represents a rather challenging problem. Timing for surgical treatment is controversial and is based mostly on patient status and surgeon's criteria. Recurrence is associated to EAF characteristics and an inflammatory state; it was also the only factor associated to mortality.

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) from septic patients produce higher levels of cytokines than ILCs from healthy controls

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response to infection, which leads to life-threatening organ dysfunction. During sepsis, many cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems have functional alterations; in particular, monocytes produce reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to microbial products (MAMPs). Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are cells with lymphocyte morphology that lack antigen-specific receptors and respond directly to cytokines and MAMPs; it is not known if ILCs are affected during sepsis. In this study, we used flow cytometry to evaluate the frequency of ILCs in the peripheral blood of septic patients and healthy controls, as well as the expression of CD56, CCR6 and NKp44 and the production of IL-17 and IFN-γ by ILCs. ILCs were defined as CD45+ lineage- CD127+ cells.

The number of total lymphocytes and the number of ILCs were significantly lower in septic patients, compared to healthy controls, with ILCs representing around 0.5% of peripheral blood lymphocytes. In both healthy controls and septic patients, CD56 defines two populations of ILCs: a higher percentage of the CD56− cells express CCR6, compared to the CD56+ cells, while a higher percentage of the CD56+ cells express NKp44, compared to the CD56− cells. CD56− ILCs are the main producers of IL-17, while CD56+ cells are the main producers of IFN-γ, in both healthy controls and septic patients. The production of these two cytokines is increased in the ILCs from septic patients, compared to the ILCs from healthy controls. This is in contrast with the decreased cytokine production that is observed in monocytes and T lymphocytes from septic patients.

This project was funded by CONACyT-México (219661).

A Human Lin- CD123+ CD127low Population Endowed with ILC Features and Migratory Capabilities Contributes to Immunopathological Hallmarks of Psoriasis

Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) are members of a heterogeneous family with a lymphoid origin that mimics the T helper (Th) cytokine profile. ILC are involved in early effector cytokine-mediated responses during infections in peripheral tissues. ILC also play an important role in chronic skin inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis. Although classical ILC express CD127, it has been recently reported that the presence of non-classical CD127^- ILC populations and an early ILC precursor (EILP) CD127^low. ILC development has predominately been investigated in mouse models. However, in humans, different transcription factors have been described for ILC identification. NFIL3 (nuclear factor, IL-3 regulated) is crucial for ILC development in response to IL-7. CD123 (IL-3Rα) is usually used to exclude basophils during ILC identification, however, it is unknown if in response to IL-3, NFIL3 could be relevant to induce ILC features in Lin^- CD123⁺ populations in addition, is also unknown whether peripheral blood (PB) population with ILC features may have skin-homing potential to participate in skin inflammatory chronic diseases. Here, we report a Lin^- CD123⁺ CD127^low CD7⁺ CLA⁺ population that share some phenotypic properties with basophils, but expresses several transcription factors for ILC commitment such as inhibitor of DNA binding 2 (Id2), NFIL3, promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF), thymocyte selection-associated high-mobility group box protein (TOX), and T cell factor-1 (TCF-1). In addition, this population expresses different ILC markers: CD132, CD90, CD161, α4 integrin, c-Kit, CRTH2, AhR, and IL-23R. IL-3 prevents apoptosis and increases their NFIL3, TOX, and PLZF expression. In PB, the CD123⁺ CD127^low population is predominantly a conspicuous population that expresses T-bet and RORγt. The Lin^- CD123⁺ CD127^low population in PB has a limited Th type cytokine expression and highly expresses IL-8. The Lin^- CD123⁺ CD127^low population expresses skin-homing receptors (cutaneous lymphocyte antigen and CXCR4) and transmigrates through endothelial cells in response to SDF-1. An equivalent Lin^- CD123^low population was identified in control skin, which shows a broader phenotypic diversity and cytokine production, including IL-22 and IL-17. Remarkably, the CD123^low population in the lesion and non-lesion skin of psoriasis patients expresses IL-17 and IL-22. Our findings suggest the identification of an alternative Lin^- CD123⁺ CD127^low population with ILC features endowed with migratory capabilities that might contribute to immunopathological hallmarks of psoriasis.

Differential Immune Profiles in Two Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Virus Waves at Pandemic Epicenter

Background and Aims

Severe influenza A(H1N1)pdm2009 virus infection cases are characterized by sustained immune activation during influenza pandemics. Seasonal flu data suggest that immune mediators could be modified by wave-related changes. Our aim was to determine the behavior of soluble and cell-related mediators in two waves at the epicenter of the 2009 influenza pandemic.

Methods

Leukocyte surface activation markers were studied in serum from peripheral blood samples, collected from the 1^st (April–May, 2009) and 2^nd (October 2009–February 2010) pandemic waves. Patients with confirmed influenza A(H1N1)pdm2009 virus infection (H1N1), influenza-like illness (ILI) or healthy donors (H) were analyzed.

Results

Serum IL-6, IL-4 and IL-10 levels were elevated in H1N1 patients from the 2^nd pandemic wave. Additionally, the frequency of helper and cytotoxic T cells was reduced during the 1^st wave, whereas CD69 expression in helper T cells was increased in the 2^nd wave for both H1N1 and ILI patients. In contrast, CD62L expression in granulocytes from the ILI group was increased in both waves but in monocytes only in the 2^nd wave. Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells (TREM)-1 expression was elevated only in H1N1 patients at the 1^st wave.

Conclusions

Our results show that during the 2009 influenza pandemic a T cell activation phenotype is observed in a wave-dependent fashion, with an expanded activation in the 2^nd wave, compared to the 1^st wave. Conversely, granulocyte and monocyte activation is infection-dependent. This evidence collected at the pandemic epicenter in 2009 could help us understand the differences in the underlying cellular mechanisms that drive the wave-related immune profile behaviors that occur against influenza viruses during pandemics.

[Usefulness of hepatobiliary scintigraphy in the follow-up of patients with biliary reconstruction]

BACKGROUND

The relevance of biliary tract injury patients is not only related to diagnosis and treatment but also to follow-up for the possibility of late complications and medical and legal aspects. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy has played a principal roll in diagnosis of many hepatobiliary diseases.

METHODS

We carried out a descriptive and retrospective study. Included were all patients with biliary tract injuries who underwent biliary reconstruction and liver biopsy. Clinical, laboratory exams and hepatobiliary scintigraphy follow-up was done.

RESULTS

From January 2001 to december 2009 one hundred patients, sixty-five women and thirty-five men were registered. According to Strasberg's classification we had 13 % type E1, 17 % type E2, 38 % type E3 and 32 % type E4. All of them underwent biliary tract reconstruction, eighty-four Hepp-Couinaud type and sixteen conventional jejunum-hepatic anastomosis (Roux-Y). Liver biopsy demonstrated twelve patients with inflammation, forty-nine with cholestasis, nineteen with ductular proliferation and nineteen with fibrosis. When we compare pathologic results of liver biopsy with pre and postoperatively hepatobiliary scintigraphy we found significance in those patients with cholestasis and ductular proliferation in hepatobiliary scintigraphy elimination step, but none in those with inflammation and fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatobiliary scintigraphy is an adequate study to the follow-up of patients who underwent hepatobiliary reconstruction been more significative in patients with cholestasis and ductular proliferation.

Antibody responses to influenza viruses in paediatric patients and their contacts at the onset of the 2009 pandemic in Mexico

INTRODUCTION

On April 2009, the Mexican Ministry of Health received notification of cases of severe pneumonia mostly affecting young healthy people; this was the beginning of the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century. The nature of the immune response to the influenza A(H1N1)2009 pandemic strain in Mexico at the beginning of the pandemic outbreak has not been completely defined. We describe the serological response to the 2009 pandemic influenza virus in paediatric patients with influenza-like illness, their household contacts (HHCs), and exposed health-care workers (HCWs) at the beginning of the pandemic outbreak in Mexico City.

METHODOLOGY

thirty pre-epidemic and 129 epidemic samples were collected and serum antibodies were measured against A(H1N1)2009 pandemic virus and two non-pandemic swine influenza viruses by an haemagglutination inhibition assay .

RESULTS

91% (29/32) of the convalescence samples from confirmed patients had an antibody titre ≥ 10 (GMT 25), 63% (41/65) of the HHCs (GMT 12), 41% of HCWs (GMT 6) and 13% (4/30) of pre-epidemic samples (GMT 6) for the pandemic influenza virus. Of the 32 confirmed cases, 60% had an antibody titre ≥ 40 for the pandemic strain, 53% for the A/swine/Iowa(H1N1) virus (GMT 62) and 43% for the A/swine/Texas(H3N2) virus (GMT 66).

CONCLUSION

The antibody response to 2009 pandemic influenza virus was widespread in convalescence samples from patients with confirmed pandemic influenza infection but the GMT was below the protective titre. There was no evidence that antibodies to the swine influenza viruses had cross-protective effect against the 2009 pandemic influenza virus.

Activated endothelial cells limit inflammatory response, but increase chemoattractant potential and bacterial clearance by human monocytes

Inflammation is the normal immune response of vascularized tissues to damage and bacterial products, for which leukocyte transendothelial migration (TEM) is critical. The effects of cell-to-cell contact seen in both leukocyte and endothelial cells include cytoskeleton rearrangement, and dynamic expression of adhesion molecules and metalloproteinases. TEM induces expression of anti-apoptotic molecules, costimulatory molecules associated with antigen presentation, and pattern recognition receptors (PRR), such as TLR-4, in monocytes. However, little is known about how TLR-4 increment operates in monocytes during an inflammatory response. To understand it better, we used an in vitro model in which monocytes crossed a layer of IL-1β stimulated Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC). After TEM, monocytes were tested for the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, their phenotype (CD14, CD16, TLR-4 expression), and TLR-4 canonical [Nuclear Factor kappa B, (NF-κB) pathway] and non-canonical [p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 pathway] signal transduction induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Phagocytosis and bacterial clearance were also measured. There was diminished secretion of LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and higher secretion of chemokines (CXCL8/IL-8 and CCL2/MCP-1) in supernatant of TEM monocytes. These changes were accompanied by increases in TLR-4, CD14 (surfaces expression), p38, and ERK1/2 phosphorylated cytoplasmic forms, without affecting NF-κB activation. It also increased bacterial clearance after TEM by an O2 -independent mechanism. The data suggest that interaction between endothelial cells and monocytes fine-tunes the inflammatory response and promotes bacterial elimination.

Heat shock protein 70 down-regulates the production of toll-like receptor-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines by a heat shock factor-1/constitutive heat shock element-binding factor-dependent mechanism

BACKGROUND

Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is an intracellular chaperone protein with regulatory and cytoprotective functions. Hsp70 can also be found in the extracellular milieu, as a result of active secretion or passive release from damaged cells. The role of extracellular Hsp70 is not fully understood. Some studies report that it activates monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells through innate immune receptors (such as Toll-like receptors, TLRs), while others report that Hsp70 is a negative regulator of the inflammatory response. In order to address this apparent inconsistency, in this study we evaluated the response of human monocytes to a highly purified recombinant Hsp70.

METHODS

Human peripheral blood monocytes were stimulated with Hsp70, alone or in combination with TLR agonists. Cytokines were quantified in culture supernatants, their mRNAs were measured by RT-PCR, and the binding of transcription factors was evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Kruskal-Wallis test or one-way or two-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

The addition of Hsp70 to TLR-activated monocytes down-regulated TNF-α as well as IL-6 levels. This effect was independent of a physical interaction between Hsp70 and TLR agonists; instead it resulted of changes at the TNF-α gene expression level. The decrease in TNF-α expression correlated with the binding of HSF-1 (heat shock transcription factor 1, a transcription factor activated in response to Hsp70) and CHBF (constitutive HSE-binding factor) to the TNF-α gene promoter.

CONCLUSION

Extracellular Hsp70 negatively regulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines of monocytes exposed to TLR agonists and contributes to dampen the inflammatory response.

Overexpression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha impacts FoxP3 levels in mycosis fungoides--cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: clinical implications

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common variant of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and decreased forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) expression has been reported in MF late stages. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) may regulate FoxP3 expression; however, it is unknown whether HIF-1α is expressed in the CD4(+) T cells of MF patients and how it could affect the expression of FoxP3. Therefore, we evaluated the expression of HIF-1α and FoxP3 in CD4(+) T cells obtained from the skin lesions of MF patients. We found increased cell proliferation and an increase in CD4(+) T cells with an aberrant phenotype among early stage MF patients. HIF-1α was overexpressed in these CD4(+) T cells. In addition, we found a decrease in the percentage of FoxP3(+) cells both in the skin of MF patients, when compared with control skin samples, and with disease progression. In addition, a negative correlation was established between HIF-1α and FoxP3 expression. Skin HIF-1α expression in MF patients correlated with the extent of the affected area and increased with the disease progression. Finally, we showed that ex vivo inhibition of HIF-1α degradation increases the percentage of FoxP3(+) T cells in skin lesions. Our results suggest that overexpression of HIF-1α affects the levels of FoxP3 in MF patients, which could have relevant implications in terms of disease outcome.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 expression on monocytes is associated with inflammation but not with infection in acute pancreatitis

Introduction

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is usually a mild and self-limiting disease, but some patients develop a severe form that is associated with high mortality. In AP, local inflammation is followed first by the systemic inflammatory response syndrome and then by the compensatory anti-inflammatory response syndrome, which is defined by low human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression on monocytes, increased concentration of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and decreased monocyte function. Our aim was to measure the expression of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-1 (a proposed marker of infection or inflammation) and HLA-DR on monocytes, and the serum concentrations of IL-6 (a proinflammatory cytokine) and IL-10 in patients with AP to determine whether these markers can identify patients at high risk of developing severe AP or infection.

Methods

Fifty healthy volunteers, 18 patients with mild AP, and 11 patients with severe AP were included in this study. Samples were taken at admission and one and three days later. TREM-1 and HLA-DR expression was evaluated by flow cytometry, and soluble TREM-1, IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations were measured by ELISA.

Results

TREM-1 expression was higher in patients with AP than in healthy volunteers, but there was no difference between patients with mild and severe AP. TREM-1 expression was not associated with mortality or with the presence of infection. Soluble TREM-1 concentration in serum was higher in non-survivors than in survivors. HLA-DR expression was lower and IL-6 concentration higher in patients with severe AP and in infected patients.

Conclusions

Increased TREM-1 expression was associated with the presence of inflammation but not infection in AP. In patients with AP, low HLA-DR expression and high IL-6 concentration could predict severity and infection in samples taken shortly after admission.

The increased expression of TREM-1 on monocytes is associated with infectious and noninfectious inflammatory processes

BACKGROUND

Inflammation is the response of an organism to tissue injury or infection. It is usually limited to the affected tissue, but sometimes the inflammatory mediators reach the bloodstream and act systemically. A compensatory anti-inflammatory response syndrome, in which expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecules are decreased, regulates the resulting systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). SIRS and compensatory anti-inflammatory response syndrome can lead to the development of sepsis. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-1 has been proposed as a biomarker of the presence of sepsis. In this study, we investigated whether TREM-1 is increased only in septic patients, and not in patients with systemic inflammatory response but no infection. We also looked for a possible correlation between TREM-1 and MHC-II expression levels and the patients' progress.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-eight surgical patients, 14 septic patients and 50 healthy volunteers, were included in this study. TREM-1 and MHC-II expression on blood monocytes was determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

TREM-1 expression was increased in all patients after surgery, and its expression was higher in patients with preexisting SIRS. No association was found with the presence of infection. In septic patients, the increase in TREM-1 expression was transitory. MHC-II expression was decreased in both surgical and septic patients, and this decrease was greater in patients with a worse outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased TREM-1 expression on monocytes is associated with both infectious and noninfectious inflammatory processes, and the levels of MHC-II expression is better correlated with the patient outcome.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM-1) is regulated post-transcriptionally and its ligand is present in the sera of some septic patients

Inflammation is necessary for survival, but it is also an important cause of human morbidity and mortality, as exemplified by sepsis. During inflammation, cells of the innate immune system are recruited and activated in response to infection, trauma or injury. These cells are activated through receptors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which recognize microbial ligands such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-1 amplifies the inflammatory response initiated by TLRs, and its expression on the surface of monocytes increases in the presence of TLR ligands. Here we have shown that in monocytes TREM-1 mRNA levels, measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), remained unchanged and TREM-1 protein levels, measured by flow cytometry, increased, indicating that LPS increases TREM-1 expression by a post-transcriptional mechanism. We also showed that TREM-1/Fc fusion protein decreased the ability of the sera of some patients with sepsis to activate monocytes, indicating that the TREM-1 ligand, whose identity is unknown, may be present in the sera of some of these patients. We describe a mechanism for the regulation of TREM-1 expression on monocytes and the possible presence of its ligand in serum; these findings help to explain the contribution of TREM-1 during systemic inflammation.

Expression of triggering receptor on myeloid cell 1 and histocompatibility complex molecules in sepsis and major abdominal surgery

AIM

To evaluate the surface expression of triggering receptor on myeloid cell 1 (TREM-1), class II major histocompatibility complex molecules (HLA-DR), and the expression of the splicing variant (svTREM-1) of TREM-1 in septic patients and those subjected to major abdominal surgery.

METHODS

Using flow cytometry, we examined the surface expression of TREM-1 and HLA-DR in peripheral blood monocytes from 11 septic patients, 7 elective gastrointestinal surgical patients, and 10 healthy volunteers. svTREM-1 levels were analyzed by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Basal expression of TREM-1 and HLA-DR in healthy volunteers was 35.91+/-14.75 MFI and 75.8+/-18.3%, respectively. In septic patients, TREM-1 expression was 59.9+/-23.9 MFI and HLA-DR expression was 44.39+/-20.25%, with a significant difference between healthy and septic groups (P<0.05) for both molecules. In the surgical patients, TREM-1 and HLA-DR expressions were 56.8+/-20.85 MFI and 71+/-13.8% before surgery and 72.65+/-29.92 MFI and 72.82+/-22.55% after surgery. TREM-1 expression was significantly different (P = 0.0087) between the samples before and after surgery and svTREM-1 expression was 0.8590+/-0.1451 MF1, 0.8820+/-0.1460 MF1, and 2.210+/-0.7873 MF1 in the healthy, surgical (after surgery) and septic groups, respectively. There was a significant difference (P = 0.048) in svTREM-1 expression between the healthy and surgical groups and the septic group.

CONCLUSION

TREM-1 expression is increased during systemic inflammatory conditions such as sepsis and the postoperative phase. Simultaneous low expression of HLA-DR molecules correlates with the severity of illness and increases susceptibility to infection. Additionally, TREM-1 expression is distinctly different in surgical patients at different stages of the inflammatory response before and after surgery. Thus, surface TREM-1 appears to be an endogenous signal during the course of the inflammatory response. svTREM-1 expression is significantly increased during sepsis, appearing to be an indicator of severity of illness. Together, these data indicate that TREM-1 may play an important role in establishing and amplifying the systemic inflammatory response. TREM-1, HLA-DR, and svTREM-1 expression analysis can provide useful diagnostic and prognostic indicators during SIRS, CARS, and sepsis.

[Clinical characteristics and follow-up of patients with AIDS and acute abdominal pain]

Abdominal symptoms frequently affect patients with AIDS. Acute abdominal pain is a diagnostic challenge that may require elective or urgent surgical treatment, although information about the latter is scarce. In this study we analyzed the clinical findings and follow-up of acute abdominal pain complicating patients with AIDS. In a two-year period, we collected several variables from patients with AIDS and acute abdominal pain: demographic, laboratory, clinical symptoms, initial diagnosis, surgical findings, post-surgical and histopathological diagnosis and post-surgical complications. From 232 hospitalized patients, 34 had acute abdominal pain: 32 male and 2 women (median age = 32 years; range 26 to 58 years). Twenty-two patients required surgical treatment. Eight patients had a post-surgical complication; in five of them, six surgical re-interventions were performed. Three deaths occurred in the 30-day period after surgery. Survival for patients conservatively treated was 4 months (1 to 17 months), vs. 6.5 months (1 to 20 months) in the surgically treated group. Physicians should be aware about the several diagnostic possibilities of acute abdominal pain complicating patients with AIDS. Delay of surgery in these patients may be lethal. Surgery has an important role in the integral treatment of patients with AIDS.

[Hamartoma of the bile duct. Report of a case]

BACKGROUND

Gallstones and neoplasms generally cause obstructions in the biliary duct. There are some infrequent problems that may lead to obstructions, such as hamartomas of the biliary duct.

CASE REPORT

A 34-year-old diabetic female patient begins with abdominal pain and jaundice. The diagnostic approach initiated with hepatobiliary ultrasound that reported cholelithiasis and enlargement of the biliary ducts. Cholangiopancreatography was subsequently performed and a biliary tree lesion was discovered; the patient underwent cholecystectomy with exploration of the biliary ducts. Clinical evolution was satisfactory. Pathologic findings indicated hamartoma of the biliary duct.