Proportion Of Eosinophils Research Articles

Prediction Model for Severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in Pediatric Patients by Admission Laboratory Indicators.

The purpose of this study was to develop a model for predicting severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (SMPP) in pediatric patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) on admission by laboratory indicators. Pediatric patients with MPP from January 2019 to December 2020 in our hospital were enrolled in this study. SMPP was diagnosed according to guideline for diagnosis and treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in children (2019 version). Prediction model was developed according to the admission laboratory indicators. Receiver operating characteristic curve and Goodness-of-fit test were analyzed for the predictive value. A total of 233 MPP patients were included in the study, with 121 males and 112 females, aged 4.541 (1-14) years. Among them, 84 (36.1%, 95% CI 29.9-42.6%) pediatric patients were diagnosed as SMPP. Some admission laboratory indicators (immunoglobulins M (IgM), eosinophil proportion, eosinophil count, hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), total protein, albumin and prealbumin) were found statistically different (p < 0.05) between non-SMPP group and SMPP group. Logistic regress analysis showed IgM, eosinophil proportion, eosinophil count, ESR and prealbumin were independent risk factors for SMPP. According to these five admission laboratory indicators, the prediction model for SMPP in pediatric patients was developed. The area under curve of the prediction model was 0.777, and the goodness-of-fit test showed that the predicted SMPP incidence by the model was consistent with the actual incidence (χ2 = 244.51, p = 0.203). We developed a model for predicting SMPP in pediatric patients by admission laboratory indicators. This model has good discrimination and calibration, which provides a basis for the early identification SMPP on admission. However, this model should be validated by multicenter studies with large sample.

English

The study aimed to characterize the influence of Mansonella perstans co-infection on immunity. This research was carried out in November, 2021 in the neighboring villages of Saint Camille de Davougon in the Abomey Commune. Blood samples were collected from both genders of all ages. Buruli ulcer was diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using specific IS2404 repeat sequence for Mycobacterium ulcerans. Microfilaria detection was done with the help of the counting chamber technique. Using 100 white blood cells, the proportion of eosinophils was determined. Minividas&reg; Biomerieux was used to quantify the IgE titers in the patients&#39; serum using an immuno-enzymatic sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This study shows an overall co-infection of Buruli ulcers with M. perstans as 23.86%. In the age group of fewer than 16 years, the co-infection prevalence was 28.57% (n=6), while in patients of age greater than 16, the co-infection prevalence was 71.42% (n=15). The Buruli ulcer patients co-infected with M. perstans had the highest median eosinophil level, whereas the control group had the lowest. The lowest median total IgE titer was observed in the control, while the maximum was observed in the Buruli ulcer patients co-infected with M. perstans. This study concludes that Buruli ulcer co-infection with M. perstans prevails in some rural villages in Benin. Therefore, this pathogen must be considered in the treatment of Buruli ulcer. The findings imply that IgE could be used to assess the patient&#39;s immunological response during Buruli ulcer and M. perstans. Key words: Mansonella perstans, co-infection, immunity, Buruli ulcer.

Bisphenol A attenuates the therapeutic effect of the selective G protein-coupled estrogen receptor agonist G-1 on allergic rhinitis inflammation in mice

BackgroundBisphenol A (BPA) is found in many plastics widely used in everyday life and affects the immune system. Previous studies found that the selective G protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) agonist G-1 can reduce the inflammation associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR). BPA also interferes with the protective effect of estradiol against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. ObjectiveWe explored whether BPA attenuates the effect of G-1 on inflammation in a mouse AR model. MethodsThe AR model was established by sensitizing and stimulating female BALB/c mice with ovalbumin (OVA) and G-1/BPA. Eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocyte subsets (including T and B cells) in nasal mucosa and Th2 and Treg cells in the spleen were detected by flow cytometry. Cytokines and transcription factors characteristic of Th2 and Treg cells in nasal mucosa were detected using cytometric bead arrays and quantitative PCR, respectively. ResultsG-1 reduced OVA-induced nasal mucosal inflammation in mice. The proportions of eosinophils, neutrophils, Siglec-F+ neutrophils, lymphocytes, and T cell subsets were reduced by G-1, and this effect was attenuated by BPA. G-1 significantly decreased the Th2 population and levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and GATA-3; these effects were attenuated by BPA. The enhanced Treg response (as evidenced by an increased Treg population and higher IL-10 and Foxp3 levels) mediated by G-1 tended to be reduced by BPA. DiscussionWe found that G-1 reduced OVA-induced nasal mucosal inflammation and significantly decreased the Th2 response, while increasing the Treg response. These effects were attenuated by BPA.

MO054: Histological Findings in Drug-Induced Acute Interstitial Nephritis

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) represents an important cause of acute kidney injury. The most common etiology of AIN is drug-induced disease. Definitive diagnosis of AIN requires renal biopsy. Despite this, there is a lack of consensus regarding precise histological diagnostic criteria, and the clinical significance of common histological findings is uncertain. The aim of this study was to explore the histological characteristics of drug-induced AIN and to evaluate their impact on the renal outcome. METHOD We conducted a retrospective study that included patients with biopsy proven drug-induced AIN, followed in the department of nephrology of Charles Nicolle hospital in Tunis during the period between 1990 and 2019. Histological diagnosis of AIN was based on the presence of an interstitial inflammatory cell infiltrate with or without fibrosis. RESULTS During the period of the study, we collected 69 cases of biopsy proven AIN. The diagnosis of drug-induced AIN was performed in 23 patients (33%), with a medium age of 35 years. In eight patients (35%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the culprit, followed by antibiotics in six patients (26%) and other drugs in three cases (13%). In six patients (26%), no single drug could be identified as the culprit, and these were classified as multidrug causes. The presence of acute kidney disease was the main indication for the kidney biopsy. All cases were characterized by a prominent tubulointerstitial inflammatory cell infiltrate. Interstitial infiltration was mild in three cases (13%), moderate in five cases (17%) and severe in 15 cases (65%). The interstitial infiltrate consisted predominantly of lymphocytes. The presence of eosinophils has been noted in 10 cases (43%). Interstitial granulomas were noted in two patients (8%). Interstitial edema and tubulitis were observed in 13 (56%) and 6 cases (26%), respectively. In seven patients (30%) interstitial fibrosis was present, and four patients (17%) had mild-to-moderate tubular atrophy, whereas tubular necrosis was present in seven cases (30%). After a mean follow up of 24 months, eight patients (35%) progressed to chronic kidney disease. Histological factors associated with poor renal outcome, were interstitial fibrosis (P ˂ 0.001) and tubular atrophy (P = 0.01). Patients with interstitial edema (P ˂ 0.001) or tubulitis (P = 0.005) had a better renal prognosis. CONCLUSION Renal biopsy is required to establish a definitive diagnosis of drug-induced AIN. Nevertheless, it is not carried out in a systematic way. The composition of cells in the interstitial infiltrate may at times be helpful in determining the etiology of AIN. In particular, the presence of a considerable proportion of eosinophils favors a diagnosis of drug-induced AIN. Moreover, during drug-induced AIN, histological data have a great prognostic value. In our study, the main histological prognostic factors were interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, interstitial edema and tubulits. Further studies are needed to validate these results and establish a score based on histological data in order to predict renal outcome during drug-induced AIN.

Vibrio metschnikovii, a Potential Pathogen in Freshwater-Cultured Hybrid Sturgeon.

Simple SummaryIn an era of shrinking stocks and intensive fisheries production, pathogenic microorganisms are a serious threat to fish health. This study confirms that Vibrio metschnikovii—a pathogen mainly found in aquatic environments—was the pathogenic bacterium causing disease in hybrid sturgeon. The authors reveal the hazard of V. metschnikovii to hybrid sturgeon and the potential risks to the sturgeon farming industry.In July 2021, a disease with a high mortality rate broke out in freshwater cultured hybrid sturgeon in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. A dominant strain, H-701, was isolated from diseased fish; physiological changes in diseased fish were investigated and molecular identification, biochemical characterization, and pathogenicity and drug sensitivity tests of H-701 were performed. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of H-701 was 99.86% homologous with that of Vibrio metschnikovii in GenBank. The 50% lethal dose of H-701 was 3.72 ± 0.929 × 104 CFU/g fish weight. The proportion of monocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils in the blood of diseased sturgeon increased significantly, whereas the proportion of lymphocytes decreased. In diseased fish, the serum levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, and alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly, and those of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and complement C3 increased significantly. There were obvious pathological changes in several tissues of the diseased fish. H-701 was sensitive to antibiotics such as florfenicol, enrofloxacin, and doxycycline. This study not only demonstrated that V. metschnikovii was the cause of death of a large number of hybrid sturgeon but also revealed its potential risk in hybrid sturgeon aquaculture. The results provide a basis for the diagnosis and prevention of this disease.

Kimura's disease successively affecting multiple body parts: a case-based literature review

BackgroundKimura’s disease is a rare, benign, chronic inflammatory disease that presents as painless, solid masses mainly affecting the deep subcutaneous areas of the head and neck, especially the salivary glands, parotid glands and nearby lymph nodes. It is characterized by elevated peripheral blood eosinophil and Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels.Case presentationA 31-year-old Asian male presented with an orbital space-occupying lesion lasting for 1.5 years. Ten years prior, surgical excision of bilateral fossa cubitalis and groin masses was performed, and the pathological examination showed "lymphoproliferative disease". One year later, masses reappeared near the surgical sites; they grew slowly and shrank after glucocorticoid treatment. At this point, admission examinations showed in the peripheral blood an eosinophil proportion of 13.4%, a total IgE level of 26,900.00 IU/mL, prurigo present on the whole body, and multiple palpable masses near the bilateral fossa cubitalis and groin. The left eyeball was exophthalmic. The left elbow mass was excised, and the pathological examination confirmed Kimura’s disease. Oral glucocorticoid therapy is taken and tapering regularly. The eosinophil count returned to normal, the IgE level gradually decreased, the orbital space-occupying lesion and elbow and groin masses shrank significantly, and the whole-body skin prurigo disappeared. Currently, the patient has been in a stable condition for eighteen months.ConclusionOur case provides a novel insight that Kimura’s disease should be involved in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory lesion mass of orbit and also supports systemic regular glucocorticoid as a valuable therapy of such condition, but close follow-up and long-term observation are crucial.

Study of the haematopoietic and immune effect of microalgae extracts

Microalgae, as a source of numerous biologically active substances, are promising candidates for the development of novel biologically active supplements. An important aspect determining the possibility of using microalgae involves the absence of adverse effects on the organs and systems of the human and animal body. At the development stage, special attention should be paid to the safety of microalgae for biomedical use in terms of the absence of significant negative effects on the haematopoiesis and the functional status of immune cells. In this regard, the present study investigates the effect of oil extracts obtained from five microalgae species on haematopoietic parameters, the number and functional activity of spleen and thymus cells, as well as on immunoglobulin levels in the blood serum of laboratory animals. According to the obtained results, Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) and Cylindrotheca closterium (C. closterium) extracts decrease the number of leukocytes in the peripheral blood. Coelastrella sp., C. closterium, and Porphyridium purpureum (P. purpureum) increase the proportion of neutrophils. P. purpureum was found to initiate an increase in the proportion of eosinophils. Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis (A. platensis) and C. closterium produce a decrease in the proportion of monocytes. C. closterium and P. purpureum induce a reduction in the proportion of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of laboratory mice. All microalgae extracts had no effect on erythropoiesis and haemoglobin. In addition, all microalgae extracts were found to reduce splenocyte proliferation, while their effect on thymocyte proliferation depended on the microalgae type. In the mice serum, Coelastrella sp. microalgae extract increases IgG levels, while P. purpureum and C. vulgaris decrease IgM and IgA levels, respectively.

A retrospective study of 20 patients with Kimura’s disease from China

Background Kimura’s disease (KD) is an eosinophilic proliferative lymphoid disease with rare incidence rate and nonspecific clinical symptoms. Objectives To investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of KD. Materials and methods The clinical manifestations, laboratory examination, imaging examination, proposed treatment, and prognosis of 20 patients with KD treated in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results All cases showed painless masses. The proportion of peripheral blood eosinophils rose in 18 cases (90%), the eosinophil count increased in 14 cases (70%) and the serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were significantly increased in 5 patients (100%). Pathological examination revealed follicular hyperplasia, eosinophils infiltration, and tiny vessels proliferation in KD samples. Conclusions KD should be considered when the patients suffered head and neck subcutaneous painless mass, increased peripheral blood eosinophils and raised serum IgE level. Pathological examination is the golden standard for diagnosing KD. Surgical intervention, medical treatments, and radiotherapy may be effective for KD treatment. Significance This study might shed a light on improving the diagnosis and treatment for KD.

Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients with inv(16)/t(16;16)(p13.1;q22) and/or CBFβ-MYH11

To summarize the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with inv(16)/t(16;16) (p13.1;q22), and to analyze the risk factors affecting the prognosis of the patients. AML patients with inv(16)/t(16;16) (p13.1;q22) and/or CBFβ-MYH11+ admitted to the Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 1, 2008 to October 30, 2019 were retrospective analyzed, the clinical and laboratory indicators, as well as treatment plans and efficacy evaluations of the patients were all recorded. Furthermore, related factors affecting the overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) of the patients were analyzed. Among 151 AML patients with inv(16)/t(16;16) (p13.1;q22) and/or CBFβ-MYH11+, the percentage of additional chromosomal abnormalities was about 27.8%, and the most common additional chromosomal abnormality was +22 (33/151, 21.8%), followed by +8 (11/151, 7.3%). There were 112 patients with perfect NGS examination, and the result showed the most common accompanying gene mutations were KIT mutation (34/112, 30.4%) and FLT3 mutation (23/112, 20.5%). Univariate analysis showed that factors affecting EFS included: NE≤0.5×109/L (P=0.006) and combined K-RAS mutation (P=0.002); Factors affecting OS included: Age≥50 years old (P<0.001) and NE≤0.5×109/L (P=0.016). Multivariate analysis showed that NE≤0.5×109/L (P=0.019) was the risk factors affecting OS. The proportion of bone marrow eosinophilia (BME)≥10.00% (P=0.029) was the risk factors affecting EFS. The prognosis for those newly diagnosed AML patients who were of advanced age, the high proportion of bone marrow eosinophils, K-RAS mutations, and agranulocytosis is poor. The treatment plans can be adjusted in the early stage to improve the prognosis of such patients.

Chinese Central Compartment Atopic Disease: The Clinical Characteristics and Cellular Endotypes Based on Whole-Slide Imaging.

PurposeHistopathologic characterizations of central compartment atopic disease (CCAD) by whole-slide imaging remains lacking. We aim to study clinical presentations and cellular endotyping diagnosis of Chinese CCAD using artificial intelligence (AI).MethodsA total of 72 patients diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) were enrolled. CCAD was defined by positive result of serology specific IgE, endoscopic and radiological findings. The aeroallergen sensitization status, endoscopic results, radiological findings, and symptoms were evaluated and compared between patients with CCAD (n=14), eosinophilic CRSwNP (ENP, n=32) and non-eosinophilic CRSwNP (NENP, n=26). The cellular endotypes including eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and plasma cells were analyzed by the AI chronic rhinosinusitis evaluation platform 2.0.ResultsCCAD was most common in male (71.43%). The positive rate of aeroallergen in patients with CCAD is 100%, which is much higher than those in patients with ENP (40.63%) and NENP (23.08%). Allergic rhinitis incidence was found to be 57.14% in Chinese CCAD subjects, which is obviously higher when compared with those in patients with ENP (21.88%) or NENP (0.00%). The presence of asthma was not significantly different between groups. Chinese CCAD population demonstrated mild symptoms and lower endoscopic and radiological scores than those in patients with ENP and NENP. For cellular endotypes in CCAD subjects, the median of eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and plasma cells was 26.55%, 0.49%, 60.85%, and 7.33%, respectively. The proportion of eosinophils in nasal tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the CCAD group is between the proportions in those patients with ENP and NENP.ConclusionChinese CCAD was associated with aeroallergen sensitivity, and displayed an eosinophil-dominant inflammatory pattern. Thus, proper management with allergy control and topical steroids could be recommended for CCAD treatment.

Influence of Consumption of Two Peruvian Cocoa Populations on Mucosal and Systemic Immune Response in an Allergic Asthma Rat Model.

Different cocoa populations have demonstrated a protective role in a rat model of allergic asthma by attenuating the immunoglobulin (Ig) E synthesis and partially protecting against anaphylactic response. The aim of this study was to ascertain the effect of diets containing two native Peruvian cocoa populations (“Amazonas Peru” or APC, and “Criollo de Montaña” or CMC) and an ordinary cocoa (OC) on the bronchial compartment and the systemic and mucosal immune system in the same rat model of allergic asthma. Among other variables, cells and IgA content in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum anti-allergen antibody response were analyzed. The three cocoa populations prevented the increase of the serum specific IgG1 (T helper 2 isotype). The three cocoa diets decreased asthma-induced granulocyte increase in the BALF, which was mainly due to the reduction in the proportion of eosinophils. Moreover, both the OC and CMC diets were able to prevent the leukocyte infiltration caused by asthma induction in both the trachea and nasal cavity and decreased the IgA in both fecal and BALF samples. Overall, these results highlight the potential of different cocoa populations in the prevention of allergic asthma.

Elevated Serum Leptin Levels in Patients With Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

Background: Eosinophilic chronic sinusitis (ECRS) is a subtype of CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) that is frequently comorbid with asthma. Notably, ECRS patients often show a high recurrence of NPs after surgical resection. Leptin is a hormone produced by adipocytes that has been implicated in airway inflammatory diseases. However, to date, the role of leptin in ECRS has not been investigated. Objective: To determine whether the serum levels of leptin are altered in patients with ECRS. Methods: In total, 40 patients with ECRS, 15 patients with non-eosinophilic CRS (non-ECRS), and 12 individuals without CRS (control) were included in this study. Patient’s serum leptin levels were assessed, and the number of eosinophils in their NPs were measured through a histological evaluation of the three densest areas with cellular infiltrate beneath the epithelial surface. Finally, nasal fibroblast cultures established from NPs were stimulated with varying concentrations of recombinant leptin in vitro to determine whether leptin affects eotaxin-3 (Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 26 :26: CCL26) expression. Results: The serum leptin levels in both the ECRS and non-ECRS groups were significantly higher than those in the control subjects (p < 0.0001 vs. ECRS; p < 0.05 vs. non-ECRS). Furthermore, ECRS patients displayed significantly elevated serum leptin levels compared to non-ECRS patients (p < 0.001), although there was no difference in body mass index between the groups. Notably, serum leptin levels were correlated with the proportion of eosinophils in peripheral blood (r = 0.3575, p < 0.01) and the number of eosinophils in NPs (r = 0.5109, p < 0.0001). Serum leptin levels were also correlated with eotaxin-3 mRNA expression in NPs (r = 0.5374, p < 0.01). Finally, leptin significantly augmented eotaxin-3 expression in nasal fibroblasts established in vitro from NPs in a leptin receptor-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Leptin levels are elevated in ECRS patients and may both promote and indicate the severity of ECRS as well as systemic type 2-biased inflammatory responses. Combined, these data indicate that circulating leptin may play a significant role in the development of eosinophilic inflammation in NPs.

Is secondary tracheomalacia associated with airway inflammation and infection?

Recurrent lower respiratory tract infections are among the most prevalent symptoms in secondary tracheomalacia due to mediastinal vascular anomalies (MVAs). It is not known whether this condition could result in persistent lower respiratory tract inflammation and subclinical infection. A retrospective study was performed on records of children with tracheomalacia due to MVAs and recurrent respiratory infections who underwent computed tomography scan, bronchoscopy, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) as part of their clinical evaluation. Thirty-one children were included in the study: 21 with aberrant innominate artery, four with right aortic arch, one with double aortic arch, and five with aberrant innominate artery associated with right aortic arch. Cytological evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid showed increased neutrophil percentages and normal lymphocyte and eosinophil proportions. Microorganism growth was detected in 13 BAL samples, with a bacterial load ≥104 colony-forming units/mL in eight (25.8%) of them. Most isolates were positive for Haemophilus influenzae. Bronchiectasis was detected in four children, all with BAL culture positive for H. influenzae. Four patients underwent MVA surgical correction and 27 conservative management, i.e., respiratory physiotherapy in all and high-dose amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (40 mg/kg/day) for 2-4 weeks in those with significant bacterial growth. There was an excellent outcome in most of them. Neutrophilic alveolitis is detectable in secondary tracheomalacia but is associated with a clinically significant bacterial load only in a quarter of the patients. Caution should be used regarding inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions to avoid the emergence of resistance, whilst airway clearance maneuvers and infection preventive measures should be promoted.

Uncommon non-infectious annular dermatoses

Several cutaneous diseases can present with annular lesions, making a distinction by physical appearance alone challenging. They can be distinguished into infectious and non-infectious, and common and uncommon annular dermatoses. Common non-infectious diseases include granuloma annulare, urticaria, and subacute lupus erythematosus. In addition, there are rare non-infectious non-neoplastic annular dermatoses whose nosographic attribution is established, including annually recurring erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC) and annular erythema in Sjögren syndrome and others whose nosographic positioning is still debated. They are neutrophilic figurate erythema, palpable migratory arciform erythema, eosinophilic annular erythema, and annular lichenoid dermatitis of youth. Their etiopathogenesis is largely unknown, although immune-mediated mechanisms are likely involved. It is difficult to establish if they are variants of reaction patterns or separate clinic-pathological entities. In fact, EAC and annually recurring EAC may represent different aspects of the same disease. Palpable migratory arciform erythema is hardly distinguishable from EAC deep type, Jessner-Kanof disease, and lupus tumidus. Neutrophilic figurate erythema and eosinophilic figurate erythema are clinically very similar and differing only in the relative proportion of eosinophils and neutrophils.

Interleukin-22 attenuates allergic airway inflammation in ovalbumin-induced asthma mouse model

BackgroundAllergic asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease with a number of cytokines participating in its pathogenesis and progress. Interleukin (IL)-22, which is derived from lymphocytes, acts on epithelial cells and play a role in the chronic airway inflammation. However, the actual role of IL-22 in allergic asthma is still unclear. Therefore, we explored the effect of IL-22 on allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model.MethodsTo evaluate the effect of IL-22 in an allergic asthma model, BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA; then the recombinant mouse IL-22 was administered intranasally 24 h prior to each challenge. The IL-22 levels in lung homogenates and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. AHR was evaluated through indicators including airways resistance (Rrs), elastance (Ers) and compliance (Crs); the inflammatory cell infiltration was assessed by quantification of differential cells counts in BALF and lung tissues stained by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E); IL-22 specific receptors were determined by immunohistochemistry staining.ResultsThe concentration of IL-22 was significantly elevated in the OVA-induced mice compared with the control mice in lung homogenates and BALF. In the OVA-induced mouse model, IL-22 administration could significantly attenuate AHR, including Rrs, Ers and Crs, decrease the proportion of eosinophils in BALF and reduce inflammatory cell infiltration around bronchi and their concomitant vessels, compared with the OVA-induced group. In addition, the expression of IL-22RA1 and IL-10RB in the lung tissues of OVA-induced mice was significantly increased compared with the control mice, while it was dramatically decreased after the treatment with IL-22, but not completely attenuated in the IL-22-treated mice when compared with the control mice.ConclusionInterleukin-22 could play a protective role in an OVA-induced asthma model, by suppressing the inflammatory cell infiltration around bronchi and their concomitant vessels and airway hyperresponsiveness, which might associate with the expression of its heterodimer receptors. Thus, IL-22 administration might be an effective strategy to attenuate allergic airway inflammation.

Clinical, haemato-biochemical, and ultrasonographic findings of abomasal impaction and abomasal ulcers in buffaloes

The current study evaluated the clinical, ruminal, haemato-biochemical, and ultrasonographic findings of abomasal disorders' affected buffaloes grouped as abomasal impaction (n = 18) and abomasal ulcers (n = 15). The abomasal disorders' screening was based on clinical examination and confirmed by ultrasonography. The most common clinical findings of the buffaloes affected with abomasal disorders include depressed demeanour (96.97%), absence of rumination (87.88%), abdominal guarding (87.88%), sunken eye balls (81.82%), tachycardia (78.79%), tachypnea (72.73%), and kyphosis (63.64%). The average rumen motility, respiratory rate, and pulse rate for abomasal impaction and abomasal ulcers were 0.28, 33.37, and 83.44, and 0.33, 35.87, and 92.60, respectively. The faecal occult blood test (benzidine test) revealed the presence of melena in all the buffaloes diagnosed with abomasal ulcers (100%). The ultrasonographic examination of the abomasal impaction group revealed increased abomasal size with no movement of the abomasal contents. The ultrasonographic imaging of abomasal ulcer-affected buffaloes showed irregularity in the abomasal wall-outline with moderately echogenic abomasal contents and a layer of fibrin at the affected area. Nine buffaloes had ultrasonographic evidence of peritonitis. The abomasal contents of buffaloes with positive benzidine test (n = 15) were screened for Clostridium perfringens by a polymerase chain reaction and were found positive for cpa toxin yielding 900-bp length. The rumen protozoal count was higher in healthy buffaloes, while the sedimentation test, (time) methylene blue reduction test, (time) and chloride levels were higher (P < 0.01) in the buffaloes affected with abomasal disorders. Haematological findings revealed a higher haematocrit, total leucocyte count, neutrophils, and eosinophil proportion and lower haemoglobin, total erythrocyte count, and lymphocyte proportion without affecting the fractions of monocytes and basophils. Furthermore, the buffaloes affected with abomasal disorders showed lower albumin, phosphorus, and potassium and higher aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine kinase, creatinine, and chloride concentrations. The present study projects clinical signs, ruminal parameters, and haemato-biochemical parameters as better indicators of abomasal disorders; however, ultrasonography is the sole diagnostic aid for the confirmation of abomasal disorders in buffaloes.

Absolute Increase in the Number and Proportion of Peripheral Eosinophils Associated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients.

To clarify the clinical significance of the absolute increase in the number and proportion of peripheral eosinophils associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICPI) treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. We performed a retrospective study, by reviewing the medical charts of 191 patients who were treated with ICPI monotherapy and 80 patients treated with the combination of ICPI and chemotherapy during the period from February 2016 and April 2021. In patients treated with ICPI monotherapy, there was a significant difference in time to treatment failure (TTF) between the two groups divided by eosinophils ≥ or <10%. Similarly, a significant difference was found in TTF between the two groups divided by eosinophils ≥ or <1,500/μl. Factors related to both an increase in the number and percentage of peripheral eosinophils were "immune-related adverse effects (irAE) that did not lead to discontinuation of administration". Some patients with irAE might have a 'favorable' absolute increase in peripheral eosinophils.

Characteristics of immune function of full-term infants with different feeding patterns at the age of 3 months: a prospective cohort study.

To explore the characteristics of immune function of healthy full-term infants at the age of 3 months, and to analyze the relationship of immune function with feeding pattern and sex. A total of 84 healthy full-term infants born in four hospitals in Beijing and Hohhot, China were prospectively recruited. Their feeding patterns remained unchanged within 4 months after birth. They were divided into a breast-feeding group and a milk powder feeding group according to their feeding patterns. At the age of 3 months after birth, peripheral venous blood samples of the two groups were collected to evaluate cellular immunity and humoral immunity and perform routine blood test. The laboratory indices were compared between infants with different feeding patterns and sexes. Compared with the milk powder feeding group, the breast-feeding group had significantly lower proportion of T cell second signal receptor CD28, immunoglobulin M, and proportion and absolute count of neutrophils (P<0.05) and significantly higher expression and proportion of HLA-DR, a surface activation marker of CD8+ T cells, and proportion of lymphocytes (P<0.05). The male infants had a significantly lower white blood cell count and a significantly higher proportion of eosinophils compared with the female infants (P<0.05). Sex has no significant effect on the proportion of lymphocyte subsets in 3-month-old full-term infants, but feeding patterns are associated with the proportion of CD28+ T cells (lymphocyte functional subset) and HLA-DR+ T cells (lymphocyte activation subset), suggesting that feeding patterns have a certain effect on the development of immune function in 3-month-old full-term infants.

Pathophysiological relevance of sputum MUC5AC and MUC5B levels in patients with mild asthma

BackgroundAirway mucus hypersecretion is an important pathophysiological feature of asthma. MUC5AC and MUC5B are the major secreted polymeric mucins in airways, and their compositions affect mucus properties. Despite the increasing appreciation of MUC5AC and MUC5B compositions in asthmatic airways, their pathophysiological relevance remains to be fully understood in humans. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we prospectively enrolled newly referred steroid-untreated patients with mild asthma and healthy controls. We compared induced sputum MUC5AC and MUC5B levels between patients and controls. Subsequently, we assessed the correlation between MUC5AC and MUC5B levels and clinical indices in patients. Sputum MUC5AC and MUC5B levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. ResultsSputum MUC5AC and MUC5B levels were significantly higher in patients (n = 87) than in controls (n = 22) (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.006, respectively). The ratio of sputum MUC5AC to MUC5B tended to be higher in patients than in controls (p = 0.07). Sputum MUC5AC levels significantly and positively correlated with fractional exhaled nitric oxide at expiratory flow of 50 mL/s (Spearman's rho = 0.29, p = 0.006), sputum eosinophil proportion (rho = 0.34, p = 0.0013), and airway sensitivity (rho = 0.39, p = 0.0005). By contrast, sputum MUC5B levels significantly and positively correlated with airway sensitivity (rho = 0.35, p = 0.002) and negatively correlated with airway reactivity (rho = −0.33, p = 0.004). ConclusionsSputum MUC5AC is increased by protein levels and involved in airway type 2/eosinophilic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in steroid-untreated patients with mild asthma.

Clinical characteristics of patients with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia in a Chinese tertiary-care hospital: A 6-year retrospective study.

IntroductionChronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) is a rare disease with unknown etiology. Due to lack of specificity of CEP symptoms, clinicians are not experienced in establishing its diagnosis.ObjectivesTo summarize the clinical data of CEP patients to improve the understanding of CEP and reduce misdiagnosis.MethodsData of patients pathologically diagnosed with CEP in the PLA General Hospital between May 2013 and May 2019 were collected, and clinical manifestations, imaging characteristics, pathological features, and treatment were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsTwenty patients, including 6 males and 14 females, were diagnosed with CEP. The average age was 47.0 ± 10.2 years. The main clinical manifestations were cough and dyspnea. The average duration of CEP was 15.5 ± 11.5 months. The average proportion of eosinophils in the peripheral blood was 18.9 ± 17.8%, and the average proportion of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was 41.5 ± 19.4%. The main imaging features were patchy shadows and consolidation shadows. The most common manifestations on bronchoscopic examination were congestion and edema of the bronchial mucosa. Two patients had granular protrusions of the endotracheal membrane. Histological examination indicated infiltration of numerous eosinophils. All patients improved after prednisone therapy.ConclusionCEP onset is insidious, and clinical manifestations lack specificity. Typical imaging features are peripheral and subpleural distribution of lung infiltrates. Some patients have a normal proportion of eosinophils in the peripheral blood, but most have an increased number of eosinophils in the BALF, which contributes to CEP diagnosis. A biopsy is necessary when differential diagnosis is difficult. A systemic glucocorticoid is effective.