Indicator Of Immunocompetence Research Articles

Chemotherapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors may overcome the detrimental effect of high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio prior to treatment in esophageal cancer patients.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as a promising treatment option for esophageal cancer (EC). Although ICIs enable long-term survival in some patients, the efficacy of ICIs varies widely among patients. Therefore, predictive biomarkers are necessary for identifying patients who are most likely to benefit from ICIs to improve the efficacy of the treatment. We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of combination therapy, including nivolumab plus ipilimumab or chemotherapy plus anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) antibodies in our institute to identify biomarkers. Twenty-seven patients received nivolumab plus ipilimumab, and thirty-six patients received chemotherapy plus anti-PD-1 antibodies were included in this study. We analyzed patient characteristics, efficacy, and safety. Multivariable analysis of biomarkers evaluated the correlation among overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and the following variables: body mass index, performance status, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein level, and albumin level before treatment. In multivariable analysis, albumin level was significantly correlated with PFS in the cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (CF) plus pembrolizumab group. NLR and albumin level were significantly correlated with OS in the nivolumab plus ipilimumab group. Other variables, including PS, BMI, and CRP did not correlate with any of the outcomes. High NLR in EC patients prior to treatment was significantly less effective for ICIs. In chemotherapy combined with ICIs, NLR before the treatment was not associated with treatment efficacy, suggesting combination chemotherapy may be beneficial for EC patients with high NLR. NLR may be an indicator of immunocompetence in anti-tumor immunity and a convenient predictive biomarker for selecting appropriate treatments including ICIs.

Effects of eggshell temperature pattern during incubation on primary immune organ development and broiler immune response in later life

Eggshell temperature (EST) during incubation greatly affects embryo development, chick quality at hatch, and subsequently various broiler physiological systems. Until now, a constant EST of 37.8°C seems optimal. Data on effects of EST patterns on immune organ development and subsequent broiler immune response are, however, scarce. A higher EST of 38.9°C in week 2 and/or a lower EST of 36.7°C in week 3 of incubation potentially positively affect embryo immune organ development and broiler immune response post hatch. Broiler eggs (n = 468) were incubated at 4 different EST patterns (n = 117 eggs/treatment) from week 2 of incubation onward. Week 1 (embryonic age (E)0 < E7) EST was 37.8°C for all eggs. Week 2 (E7 < E14) EST was either 37.8°C (Control) or 38.9°C (Higher), and week 3 (E14 - /hatch) EST was either Control or 36.7°C (Lower). At hatch, histology of bursal follicles and jejunum villi and crypts were determined as well as heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H:L) (n = 49). Posthatch, both sexes were grown in 8 pens/treatment for 6 wk (n = 320). Natural antibodies (NAb) were determined at day 14, 22, and slaughter (day 41 or 42) as an indicator of immunocompetence and response to a Newcastle disease (NCD) vaccination was determined by antibody levels at day 22 and slaughter (n = 128). Results showed no interaction EST week 2 × EST week 3, except for jejunum histology. Higher EST in week 2 resulted in lower cell density within bursal follicles (P = 0.02) and a tendency for lower H:L (P = 0.07) at hatch, and higher NCD titers at slaughter (P = 0.02) than Control EST. Lower EST in week 3 resulted at hatch in higher cell density within bursal follicles, higher H:L (both P < 0.05), and a tendency for a higher posthatch mortality rate than control EST (P = 0.10). In conclusion, higher EST in week 2 during incubation may benefit embryonic immune organ development and posthatch broiler immunocompetence, while lower EST in week 3 showed opposite indications.

Seasonal changes of faecal cortisol metabolite levels in Gracilinanus agilis (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) and its association to life histories variables and parasite loads.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of environmental (dry versus wet season) and individual (sex, body mass and reproductive status) factors in the levels of faecal cortisol metabolites (FGCs) in Gracilinanus agilis faecal samples as an index of stress levels in this species; as well as its association with abundance of Eimeria spp, as an indicator of immunocompetence against parasites. Our study found that FGCFGCs are a reliable indicator of adrenal activity in G. agilis. We found that FGCFGCs increase considerably by environmental stressors like the dry season. Moreover, the observed positive association between FGCs and body mass is the result of the effect of season and reproduction in both variables. We also demonstrated that an increase in FGC levels among G. agilis during the dry season is associated with a rise in the probability of being infected by Eimeria spp. Hence, our finding supports the corticosteroid-fitness hypothesis, which predicts that increased glucocorticoids as a response to stressors usually results in decreased fitness of individuals, translated into low future survival and reproductive success, and higher parasite infection. To our knowledge, this is the first study that integrates environmental changes, hormone responses and parasite loads in a US marsupial in both empirical and experimental approaches.

Correction to: Increased Salivary IgA Response as an Indicator of Immunocompetence After a Mindfulness and Self-Compassion-Based Intervention

Correction to: Increased Salivary IgA Response as an Indicator of Immunocompetence After a Mindfulness and Self-Compassion-Based Intervention

Increased Salivary IgA Response as an Indicator of Immunocompetence After a Mindfulness and Self-Compassion-Based Intervention

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been consolidated in healthcare settings as a highly useful therapeutic approach. Numerous studies have demonstrated their positive influence on physical and psychological well-being. In contrast, the scientific evidence concerning the potential beneficial effects of mindfulness on biological variables such as health indicators is still scarce. Therefore, in this study, we sought to analyse the influence of a mindfulness and self-compassion-based intervention on levels of salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in order to validate its use in field studies. A secondary objective of the study was to confirm the associated decline in salivary cortisol (Csal) levels and improvements in self-reported health and mood already described in the general population. For this purpose, we conducted a longitudinal design, collecting saliva samples and self-reports before and immediately after the first and the last session of the intervention. Results show an improvement in health and self-reported mood, along with an increase in the sIgA levels of participants and a reduction in Csal levels. These results reinforce existing evidence of the beneficial effects of mindfulness and self-compassion on health, evaluated from a holistic perspective, considering both biological and self-reported variables. Moreover, as already done with other biological indicators such as Csal, sIgA could be used in clinical settings to evaluate the effectiveness of MBIs.

Phenoloxidase but not lytic activity reflects resistance against Pasteuria ramosa in Daphnia magna

The field of ecological immunology strongly relies on indicators of immunocompetence. Two major indicators in invertebrates, the activity of phenoloxidase (PO) and lytic activity have recently been questioned in studies showing that, across a natural range of baseline levels, these indicators did not predict resistance against a manipulated challenge with natural parasites. We confirmed this finding by showing that baseline levels of PO and lytic activity in the host Daphnia magna were not related to spore load of the parasite Pasteuria ramosa. Yet, PO levels in infected hosts did predict spore load, indicating PO activity can be useful as an indicator of immunocompetence in this model parasite-host system.

Fish health challenge after stress. Indicators of immunocompetence

Els canvis en els sistemes nervios i endocri despres d'episodis d'estres generen consequencies en el sistema immunitari que influeixen en la capacitat de mantenir la immunocompetencia. Els peixos depenen especialment de la resposta immunitaria innata, un ampli conjunt de mecanismes que sembla que actuin amb mes potencia que en vertebrats superiors. Aixi, els peixos es troben en una posicio evolutiva unica per a comprendre els models de mecanismes de defensa en els vertebrats. Quan l'organisme es afectat per un antigen o per situacions que provoquen estres, s'inicien una serie de respostes de naturalesa reactiva per a contrarestar-ne els efectes i recobrar l'homeostasi. Altrament, els canvis en el sistema immunitari esdevenen cronics i es pot observar una depressio en alguns mecanismes immunitaris que acaben amb una mala adaptacio. Per tant, el factor temps es clau en la determinacio de la resposta immunitaria. Tenint en compte aquest patro dinamic en la infeccio i l'estres, es important determinar indicadors especifics que detectin canvis funcionals del sistema immunitari dels peixos. Els marcadors mes apropiats son els que indiquen tant una activacio dels mecanismes immunitaris en els estadis inicials com una depressio en situacions croniques.

Male display rate reveals ejaculate characteristics in the Trinidadian guppy,Poecilia reticulata.

Previous work (Reynolds and Gross 1992) has demonstrated that mate choice enables female guppies, Poecilia reticulata , to obtain heritable benefits (‘good genes’) for their offspring. It is not yet known whether males also signal their functional fertility, that is, their viability as fathers, to female guppies. Our study tested the hypothesis that a male9s behaviour reveals characteristics of his ejaculate. We uncovered a strong correlation between display rate and sperm number in male guppies derived from two wild Trinidadian populations. This result indicates that information on the functional fertility of potential mates is available to females. However, our investigation also found a significant relationship between the frequency of sneaky mating and sperm number. Female guppies in wild populations, particularly those experiencing a high predation regime, are constantly subjected to sneaky mating attempts. As the males responsible for these sneaky matings have highest reserves of sperm they may have the capacity to undermine female choice. The implications of these findings for sperm competition are discussed.

Serum haemolytic and agglutinating activity as indicators of fish immunocompetence: their suitability in stress and dietary studies

Gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata, were subjected to different stressful situations and the haemolytic activity mediated by the alternative complement and the agglutinating serum activity were tested as indicators of immunocompetence. The results show that both parameters were significantly compromised after chronic or repeated acute stress as well as in groups fed with vitamin E or Ω3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) deficient diets and in infected fish. These results suggest that both haemolytic and agglutinating activity are suitable indicators for immunocompetence as they are non-specific responses induced by non-specific stressors. In addition, a comparison is performed with other immune indicators subjected to the same stressors.

The function of irradiated blood elements. I. Limitations on the response to phytohemagglutinin as an indicator of immunocompetence in irradiated lymphocytes.

SummaryThe ability of a lymphoid cell population to be stimulated to incorporate radio-labeled thymidine by phytohemagglu-tinin (PHA) has been widely accepted as a ready measure of cellular immune competence. Persisting PHA responsiveness in lymphocytes from irradiated blood, in particular, has been taken as evidence that radiation does not protect against the hazard of graft-versus-host reaction (GVH) in blood transfusion. Our independent conclusion that radiation of blood under appropriate conditions does protect immunologically incompetent recipients against GVH made necessary an effort to resolve this apparent contradiction. Irradiated cells stimulated with either PHA or allogeneic leukocytes have been studied in terms of known radiation sensitivity curves for cellular proliferation. These studies permit the conclusion that PHA responsiveness is not a valid measure of the immunocompetence of irradiated cells. Since the ability to replicate seems much more radiosensitive than the ability to respond, te...