Autoimmune diseases (AD) are severe pathophysiological ailments that are stimulated by an exaggerated immunogenic response towards self-antigens, which can cause systemic or site-specific organ damage. An array of complex genetic and epigenetic facets majorly contributes to the progression of AD, thus providing significant insight into the regulatory mechanism of microRNA (miRNA). miRNAs are short, non-coding RNAs that have been identified as essential contributors to the post-transcriptional regulation of host genome expression and as crucial regulators of a myriad of biological processes such as immune homeostasis, T helper cell differentiation, central and peripheral tolerance, and immune cell development. Pertaining to the differential expression of miRNA attributed in target tissues and cellular bodies of innate and adaptive immunity, a paradigm of scientific expeditions suggests an optimistic correlation between immunogenic dysfunction and miRNA alterations. Therefore, it is not astonishing that dysregulations in miRNA expression patterns are now recognized in a wide spectrum of disorders, establishing themselves as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Owing to its theranostic potencies, miRNA targets have been widely utilized in the development of biosensors and other therapeutic molecules originating from the same. This article tends to deliberate and conceptualize the brief pathogenesis and pertinent epigenetic regulatory mechanism as well as miRNA networks majorly affecting five different ADs namely Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Inflammatory Bowel Disorder (IBD) thereby providing novel theranostic interventions.

Crotalaria nicobarica F. Saleem, L.J. Singh, S. Subramaniam & A. K. Pandey is described and illustrated from tropical evergreen forest of Great Nicobar Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. This new species closely resembles Crotalaria lunulata Heyne ex Wight &Arn., Crotalaria paniculata Willd. and Crotalaria ramosissima Roxb. which occurs in the Western and Eastern peninsular India and occupies forest edges and cut-slopes of hillocks. The new species is distinguishable from the latter two based on morphological characters. An analysis shows that the new species differs from closely related species with respect to vegetative and reproductive characters. Based on the hairy surface of plants, persistent bracts and bracteoles, silky pubescence of vexillum and style, oblong stalked pods the species is hypothesized to be a new member of the Crotalaria section Crotalaria.

A new species of Cylindrolobus (Orchidaceae), C. gaoligongensis J. D. Ya & H. Jiang from Gongshan county, northwestern Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to C. arunachalensis (A. N. Rao) A. N. Rao, but can be distinguished from it by having 5 veined lateral sepals, orange to pink and triangular-ovate lip mid-lobe and apex mucronate, yellow to white long hairs on the lip, 2 central calli and connected to a keel toward mid-lobe in the disk, 3 rows of white long hairs in the base of the disk. Additionally, a detailed description and illustration of its close species, C. arunachalensis, is also provided.

The DC-T cell axis is a bridge connecting innate immunity and adaptive immunity. The initial immune response against tumors is mainly induced by mature antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DC). Enhancing the crosstalk between DC and T cells could improve the immune response to non-small cell lung cancer. This article reviews the interaction between DC-T cells in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and how this interaction impacts the treatment outcome.

Autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic sclerosis (SSc) are the most prevalent rheumatic autoimmune disorders affecting autologous connective tissues caused by the breakdown of the self-tolerance mechanisms of the immune system. During the last two decades, stem cell therapy has been increasingly considered as a therapeutic option in various diseases, including parkinson’s disease, alzheimer, stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, diabete, heart disease, bone disease, renal disease, respiratory diseases, and hematological abnormalities such as anemia. This is due to the unique properties of stem cells that divide and differentiate to the specialized cells in the damaged tissue. Moreover, they impose immunomodulatory properties affecting the diseases caused by immunological abnormalities such as rheumatic autoimmune disorders. In the present review, efficacy of stem cell therapy with two main types of stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells, and hematopoietic stem cells in animal models or human patients of one common rheumatic autoimmune diseases, including, RA, will be reviewed. Moreover, other related issues, including safety, changes in immunological parameters, suitable choice of stem cell origin, conditioning regimen, limitations, and complications of stem cell treatment will be discussed.

Anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare clinical autoimmune disease, and anti-MDA5-positive DM with interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most important cause of death in DM patients. We reported the efficacy of the JAK1/3 inhibitor tofacitinib as an anti-MDT5-negative treatment option for patients with anti-MDA5-positive DM-ILD. Here we report a 51-year-old female patient with cough, sputum, shortness of breath for 5 months, rash for 3 months, and muscle pain in the extremities for 1 month. After conventional immunosuppressive therapy plus hormone therapy, the remission was slow. Methylprednisolone was successfully reduced after we administered tofacitinib and tacrolimus. After 132 weeks of follow-up, anti-MDA5 antibody turned negative, clinical symptoms were relieved, and lung Imaging tests were successfully reversed. There is currently no report of tofacitinib supplement therapy for anti-MDA5 positive to negtive DM. With this case report, tofacitinib is an option for the treatment of anti-MDA5-positive DM-ILD, which deserves attention.

Background: Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a common complication of SARS-CoV-2, which raises the COVID-19 disease’s fatality rate from 3% to 45%. Nevertheless, due to fairly indistinguishable clinical symptoms and a lack of validated clinical prediction models, PTE diagnosis in COVID-19 patients is challenging. This study aims to investigate the applicability of hematological indices to predict PTE incidence and its severity in SARS-CoV-2 patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on hospitalized patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection who underwent CT angiography to assess probable PTE in them. The correlation between CBC parameters one day prior to CT angiography and CT angiography outcomes, and simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (s-PESI) was investigated. Results: We discovered that among individuals with a probable PTE, males and those with higher platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) ratios had a greater likelihood of PTE incidence. PLR was a significant and independent predictor of PTE. Moreover, a higher neutrophil count was associated with a higher s-PESI score in COVID-19 patients developing PTE. Conclusions: Among haematological indices, NLR and more precisely PLR are cost-effective and simply calculable markers that can assist physicians in determining whether or not COVID-19 patients with clinically probable PTE require CT angiography and the higher neutrophil count can be employed as an indicator of PTE severity in COVID-19 patients. Further large multicenter and prospective studies are warranted to corroborate these observations.

Background: To investigate the distribution of bacterial pathogens of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in hospitalized elderly patients during the COVID-19 epidemic and to explore the influence of COVID-19 on the distribution of bacterial pathogens, in order to provide guidance for clinical diagnosis. Methods: Specimens of sputum from elderly LRTIs patients at Fuding Hospital of China were collected from October 2022 to January 2023. Cultures and identification were done, and RT-PCR was employed to detect SARS-Cov-2 nucleic acid. Results: A total of 195 isolates were characterized in 163 sputum samples of consecutive hospitalized elderly patients, of which 11.3% were Gram-positive bacteria and 88.7% Gram-negative. The top of frequently isolated pathogens were Klebsiella pneumonia (30.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.0%), Acinetobacter baumannii (12.8%), Stenotrophomonas maltophili, (7.7%), Escherichia coli (7.2%). According to the results of novel coronavirus nucleic acid detection, the 163 patients were divided into COVID-19 group and non-COVID control (CNT) group. The comparison of bacterial distribution between the groups revealed that Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was lower in the COVID-19 than in the CNT group, while Acinetobacter baumannii was higher in the COVID-19 group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The major bacteria identified in sputum culture of hospitalized elderly patients were Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, the distribution of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Acinetobacter baumannii between the COVID-19 and CNT groups was found to be significantly different (P< 0.05), while there were no significant differences in the distribution of other bacteria.

Meningitis, a disease that commonly manifests in African meningitis belt, continues to be a public health problem as it is a fatal disease that leave survivors with long-term effects. Most cases of meningitis are due to bacterial and viral infection, although parasites, fungus, cancer, drugs, and immune disorders can rarely cause meningitis. Stiff neck, high temperature, light sensitivity, disorientation, headaches, and vomiting are the most typical symptoms of meningitis. Niger being in African meningitis belt, has been impacted by many meningitis outbreaks. Since 2015, a total of 20 789 cases and 1369 fatalities (CFR 6.6%) have been documented in Niger. In contrast to earlier seasons, the current outbreak of meningitis in Niger exhibits both an increase in the number of cases and a rise in the growth rate. A total of 559 instances of meningitis, including 18 fatalities (overall CFR 3.2%), were reported in the Zinder Region, southeast of Niger, from 1 November 2022 to 27 January 2023, compared to 231 cases reported from 1 November 2021 to 31 January 2022. In the current outbreak, the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C (NmC) is responsible for the majority of laboratory confirmed cases (104/111; 93.7%). To organize the response to the pandemic, a global team from the WHO and other partners, including MSF and UNICEF, has been sent out in Niger. Even though there are many challenges in battle against meningitis in Niger, immunization, antibiotics administration and strong disease surveillance are recommended techniques to cope with the current meningitis outbreak in Niger.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a pandemic with serious complications. After the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), several post-acute COVID-19 syndromes (PACSs) and long-COVID sequels were reported. PACSs involve many organs, including the nervous, gustatory, and immune systems. One of the PACSs after SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination is Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). There is a lower chance of getting GBS after a SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to other infections. However, the high prevalence of COVID-19 and severe complications of GBS, e.g., autonomic dysfunction and respiratory failure, highlight the importance of post-COVID-19 GBS. It is while patients with simultaneous COVID-19 and GBS seem to have higher admission rates to the intensive care unit, and demyelination is more aggressive in post-COVID-19 GBS patients. SARS-CoV-2 can trigger GBS via several pathways like direct neurotropism and neurovirulence, microvascular dysfunction and oxidative stress, immune system disruption, molecular mimicry, and autoantibody production. This review discusses the most recent evidence regarding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of GBS after SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disorder with variable disease courses and multiple clinical manifestations [1]. The etiology of SLE is not clear, but different environmental (ultraviolet [UV] light, infections, drugs), genetic, and hormonal factors all seem to be involved [1]. Positive family history and history of having other autoimmune illnesses are considered high-risk factors for SLE, but most SLE cases are scattered [1]. The 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria for SLE include positive ANA at least once as a mandatory entry criterion; followed by additive weighted standards grouped in seven clinical (constitutional, hematological, neuropsychiatric, serosal, musculoskeletal, renal, mucocutaneous ) and three immunological (antiphospholipid antibodies, complement proteins, SLE-specific antibodies) domains, and weighted from 2 to 10, and patients accumulating ≥10 points are classified to have SLE [2]. Herein, we report this case of neuropsychiatric lupus as it is uncommon and is a severe form of SLE.

Background: T cell chemokines and its receptors play important roles in the development and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Their involvement has been reported in inflammatory autoimmune diseases. However, their role in RA in the Ghanaian population has not been explored. We evaluated the intracytoplasmic CD4+ T cell chemokine receptors in rheumatoid arthritis patients in Ghana and determined their relationship with disease activity. Methods. This case control study included 48 newly diagnosed RA patients and 30 apparent healthy controls from the orthopaedic units of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra, Ghana. A well-structured questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic data. Blood samples were also collected and processed for flow cytometric analysis. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS version 26.0 and R programming language. Results: This study found a significant difference in age group (p < 0.0001), marital status (p ¬= 0.0210), occupation (p = 0.0140), educational level (p = 0.0210) and religion (p = 0.0100) between RA patients and healthy controls. Moreover, haemoglobin level (p = 0.0010), waist circumference (p < 0.0001) and hip circumference (p = 0.0040) were significantly different between RA patients and healthy controls. RA patients had significantly lower levels of CD4+CD183+ compared to the control group (p < 0.001), and was positively correlated with DAS score (r = 0.0397, p = 0.789). In Receiver Operator Characteristics analysis, CD4+CD183+ could significantly detect rheumatoid arthritis with a very high area under the curve (AUC = 0.687, p = 0.018). At a cut-off of 0.082, CD4+CD183+ was the best chemokine receptor for detecting RA with a sensitivity of 90.0%, specificity of 25.9%, a positive predictive value of 69.2%, and a negative predictive value of 58.3%. Conclusion: CD4+CD183+ could serve as useful diagnostics and disease-monitoring marker for rheumatoid arthritis in the Ghanaian population.

Indigofera jodhpurense sp. nov. (Fabaceae), which grows in arid places and wasteland near to the edge of Jodhpur in the direction of Pali, Rajasthan, India, is described. Although the species is similar to Indigofera cordifolia and I. jaisalmerica, it differs from these in having profusely hairy juvenile twigs, various types of trichomes on leaf surfaces, and sub-sessile flowers, straightened mucro at the tips of the leaves, and pods that are often single-seeded but can also be bi-seeded. The current communication includes a key to species, a comparative morphological analysis, and some photographs.

Physicians and scientists hope that health-data will provide new insights into improving medical care and optimizing healthcare costs. However, data protection laws in Europe often place limits on the use of patient data. During the COVID-19 pandemic, both digital immunity records and data on infections were needed for pandemic management. Using this example, the research project aims to create a system concept for vaccination, testing, and recovery proof called P3VT (Privacy Preserving Pass for Vaccination and Testing), that will make collected data available to research and policy pandemic management in real time and anonymized. P3VT was developed consistently considering the goals of privacy-by-design, data minimisation and transparency of the EU-GDPR. Expert interviews validated the system from medical, technical and privacy perspectives. P3VT offers the following advantages compared to the EU digital COVID certificate: Pseudonymized proof of vaccination, testing, and recovery, reducing misuse of sensitive personal data Transparency about the nature, timing, and purpose of the proof strengthens user trust Use of anonymous data improves pandemic management, and research P3VT is thus an exemplary solution for the comprehensive provision of health-data for research purposes in combination with high level of data protection. Further areas of application are conceivable.

Our previous research developed a novel tuberculosis (TB) DNA vaccine ag85a/b showed a significant therapeutic effect on the mouse tuberculosis model by intramuscular injection (IM) and electroporation (EP). However, the action mechanisms between these two vaccine immunization methods remain unclear. In a previous study, 96 M. tuberculosis (MTB) H37Rv-infected BALB/c mice were treated with PBS, 10μg, 50μg, 100μg, and 200μg ag85a/b DNA vaccine delivered by IM and EP three times at two-week intervals, respectively. In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 3 mice in each group were isolated to extract total RNA. The gene expression profiles were analyzed using gene microarray technology to obtain differentially expressed (DE) genes. Finally, DE genes were validated by real-time reverse transcription-quantitive PCR (RT-qPCR) and the GEO database. After MTB infection, most of the up-regulated DE genes were related to the digestion and absorption of nutrients or neuroendocrine, for example, Iapp, Scg2, Chga, Amy2a5, etc, and most of the down-regulated DE genes were related to cellular structural and functional proteins, especially the structure and function proteins of alveolar epithelial cell, for example, Sftpc, Sftpd, Pdpn, etc. Most of the abnormally up-regulated or down-regulated DE genes in the TB model group were recovered in the 100μg and 200μg ag85a/b DNA IM groups and four DNA EP groups. The pancreatic secretion pathway down-regulated and Rap1 signal pathway up-regulated had particularly significant changes during the immunotherapy of the ag85a/b DNA vaccine on the mouse TB model. The action target and mechanism of IM and EP are highly consistent. Tuberculosis infection caused rapid catabolism and slow anabolism in mice. For the first time, we found that the effective dose of the ag85a/b DNA vaccine immunized whether by IM or EP could significantly up-regulate immune-related pathways and recover the metabolic disorder and the injury caused by MTB.

Purpose: Brain tumors, whether primary or secondary, have limited information about proteomic changes despite advances in the understanding of the driver gene mutations and heterogeneity within tumor cells. The purpose of this study is to distinguish primary and secondary brain tumors based on proteomics. Experimental Design: We assembled the most common primary tumors as follows: gliomas from WHO grade II to IV with or without IDH1 mutations; and BrMs with a wide range, including lung cancer (L.C), breast cancer (B.C), ovarian cancer (O.C), and colorectal cancer (C.C). A total of 29 tissue samples were analyzed by label free quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Results: In total, 8,370 protein groups were identified, and approximately 4,000 quantified protein groups were adopted for further analysis. Proteomic analysis of metastatic tumors reveals conserved features across multiple cancers. While proteomic heterogeneities were found for discriminating low- and high-grade of gliomas, as well as IDH1 mutant and wild-type gliomas. And distinct pathway-level differences among these two types of brain malignancies were revealed. The characteristic pathways of BrMs focused on proliferation and immunomodulation after colonizing the brain, whereas invasion processes were notably activated in gliomas. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: We elucidated an extensive proteomic landscape of BrMs and gliomas, providing information for the development of potential therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for type-specific brain tumors.

Jurinea stenocarpa is described as a new species based on morphological characters. The new species is morphologically close to J. monocephala and J. sintenisii mainly by having semiglobose involucre and scapose stems but differs in plant indumentum, shape of phyllaries and features of achene and size of pappus rays. This species is a mountainous Irano-Turanian element distributed in north-west of Iran, Azarbaijan region. The specimens of this species were collected from Aqdagh Mountain in Ardabil Province (type locality) and Pir-Saqqa Mountain in Eastern Azarbaijan Province. Description, photos, distribution map and a diagnostic key to the new species and its close species are presented.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with the main clinical characteristics of multi-system and multi-organ involvement of the whole body. It is commonly seen in skin mucosa, skeletal muscle, and respiratory system while rarely involved the spleen. The etiology of SLE is complex and related to many factors such as genetics, sex hormones, and environment. In this case, we present a young female patient with SLE with the symptom of progressing splenic calcification.