Search results for "activation"

THU0582 Prognostic Factors of Macrophage Activation Syndrome in Adults: Analysis of 40 Cases in 2 Tertiary Referral Centers

2016

Background Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a rare, life-threatening disease in which early diagnosis and aggressive therapeutic strategy may improve the outcome [1]. Due to its rarity, epidemiologic data are still lacking. Hyperferritinemia is frequently associated with MAS and might modulate the cytokines storm the latter contributing to the development of multi-organ failure [2]. Objectives In the current study, we aimed to investigate clinical data, treatments, and outcome of adult MAS patients secondary to autoimmune rheumatic disease. Methods We retrospectively investigated clinical data, treatments, and outcome of 40 adult MAS patients secondary to autoimmune rheumatic disease…

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway: A potential mechanism involved in PAFIYAMA syndrome?

2016

Persistent endotheliopathy in the pathogenesis of long COVID syndrome

2021

Background Persistent symptoms including breathlessness, fatigue, and decreased exercise tolerance have been reported in patients after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. The biological mechanisms underlying this “long COVID” syndrome remain unknown. However, autopsy studies have highlighted the key roles played by pulmonary endotheliopathy and microvascular immunothrombosis in acute COVID-19. Objectives To assess whether endothelial cell activation may be sustained in convalescent COVID-19 patients and contribute to long COVID pathogenesis. Patients and Methods Fifty patients were reviewed at a median of 68 days following SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition to clinical workup, acute phase markers, …

Canakinumab in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: real-world data from a retrospective Italian cohort

2021

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to use real-world data to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of canakinumab in Italian patients with systemic JIA (sJIA). Methods A retrospective multicentre study of children with sJIA was performed. Clinical features, laboratory parameters and adverse events were collected at baseline, and 6 and 12 months after starting canakinumab. The primary outcome measure of effectiveness was clinically inactive disease (CID) off glucocorticoids (GCs) treatment at 6 months. Results A total of 80 children from 15 Italian centres were analysed. Of the 12 patients who started canakinumab in CID while receiving anakinra, all maintained CID. Of the 68 …

Natalizumab Discontinuation and Treatment Strategies in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A Retrospective Study from Two Italian MS Centers

2015

Introduction Natalizumab (NTZ) discontinuation can be followed by multiple sclerosis (MS) disease reactivation. Currently no disease-modifying drug (DMD) has been shown to be able to abolish disease reactivation. The aims of the current study were: (1) to determine the frequency of MS reactivation after NTZ discontinuation; (2) to evaluate predictors of reactivation risk, and (3) to compare the effect of different treatments in reducing this risk. Methods Data from 132 patients with MS followed-up for 2 years before NTZ treatment and 1 year after interruption were collected from two Italian MS centers and retrospectively evaluated. Results Overall, 72 of 132 patients (54.5%) had relapses af…

Studies on the mechanism of PMN activation III. by lymphokines.

1983

The influence of a guinea pig lymphokine preparation on the oxidative metabolism of human and guinea pig granulocytes of various sources was investigated. A dose-dependent increase of the oxidative burst following lymphokine challenge was observed. It occurred in unstimulated guinea pig peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and in prestimulated PMN obtained from the peritoneal cavity after glycogen injection as well. The lymphokine effect on the oxidative metabolism is not species-restricted because the guinea pig lymphokine preparation elicits an oxidative burst in human PMN, too. The increase caused by lymphokines is nearly of the same order of magnitude as that obtained with zymo…

Studies on the mechanism of PMN activation II. by triggering the alternative pathway of complement activation

1982

By means of cobra venom factor (CVF) it is demonstrated that the stimulation of hexosemonophosphate shunt (HMPS) of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) by zymosan (Z) and dextran sulfate (DS) is caused by at least two modes of activation: (a) via activation caused by phagocytosis, (b) via activated alternative pathway of complement activation (APC). Active factors of APC presented with phagocytizable objects strongly enhance activation of PMN. The effect of APC can be observed in serum-containing as well as in serum-free cultures. It can be demonstrated that in serum-free cultures the factors of APC participating in the activation of PMN are supplied by monocytes. By the use of synthet…

n-3 Fatty Acids Modulate T-Cell Calcium Signaling in Obese Macrosomic Rats

2004

Objective: We investigated the effects of a diet containing EPAX-7010, rich in PUFAs such as eicosapentaenoic acid [20:5(n-3)] and docosahexaenoic acid [22:6(n-3)], i.e., a PUFA/EPAX regimen, on T-cell activation in diabetic pregnant rats and their obese pups. Research Methods and Procedures: Mild hyperglycemia in pregnant rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin on Day 5 of gestation. T-cell blastogenesis was assayed by using 3H-thymidine, whereas intracellular free calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) were measured by using Fura-2 in diabetic pregnant rats and their obese offspring. Results: Concavalin-A-stimulated T-cell proliferation was decreased in both pregnant dia…

Atherosclerosis, inflammation and Chlamydia pneumoniae

2009

Coronary heart disease is the single most common cause of illness and death in the developed world. Coronary atherosclerosis is by far the most frequent cause of ischemic heart disease, and plaque disruption with superimposed thrombosis is the main cause of the acute coronary syndromes of unstable angina, myocardial infarction, and sudden death. Atherosclerosis is the result of a complex interaction between blood elements, disturbed flow, and vessel wall abnormality, involving several pathological processes: inflammation, with increased endothelial permeability, endothelial activation, and monocyte recruitment; growth, with smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and matrix synthesis; …

Inflammation, Endothelial Dysfunction and Arterial Stiffness as Therapeutic Targets in Cardiovascular Medicine

2016

In the last decades, many factors thought to be associated with the atherosclerotic process and cardiovascular events have been studied, and some of these have been shown to correlate with clinical outcome, such as arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction and immunoinflammatory markers. Arterial stiffness is an important surrogate marker that describes the capability of an artery to expand and contract in response to pressure changes. It can be assessed with different techniques, such as the evaluation of PWV and AIx. It is related to central systolic pressure and it is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients, type 2 diabetes, end-stage…