Objective To describe the laboratory parameters and biomarkers of the cytokine storm syndrome associated with severe and fatal COVID-19 cases. Methods A search with standardized descriptors and ...synonyms was performed on November 28.sup.th, 2020 of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, LILACS, and IBECS to identify studies of interest. Grey literature searches and snowballing techniques were additionally utilized to identify yet-unpublished works and related citations. Two review authors independently screened the retrieved titles and abstracts, selected eligible studies for inclusion, extracted data from the included studies, and then assessed the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Eligible studies were those including laboratory parameters-including serum interleukin-6 levels-from mild, moderate, or severe COVID-19 cases. Laboratory parameters, such as interleukin-6, ferritin, hematology, C-Reactive Protein, procalcitonin, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and D-dimer, were extracted from the studies. Meta-analyses were conducted using the laboratory data to estimate mean differences with associated 95% confidence intervals. Data synthesis The database search yielded 9,620 records; 40 studies (containing a total of 9,542 patients) were included in the final analysis. Twenty-one studies (n = 4,313) assessed laboratory data related to severe COVID-19 cases, eighteen studies (n = 4,681) assessed predictors for fatal COVID-19 cases and one study (n = 548) assessed laboratory biomarkers related to severe and fatal COVID-19 cases. Lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated levels of interleukin-6, ferritin, D-dimer, aspartate aminotransferase, C-Reactive-Protein, procalcitonin, creatinine, neutrophils and leucocytes were associated with severe and fatal COVID-19 cases. Conclusions This review points to interleukin-6, ferritin, leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, C-Reactive Protein, procalcitonin, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and D-dimer as important biomarkers of cytokine storm syndrome. Elevated levels of interleukin-6 and hyperferritinemia should be considered as red flags of systemic inflammation and poor prognosis in COVID-19.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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•A variety of approaches for the extraction of lipids from microalgae were reviewed.•The bioactivity of microalgae lipids is summarized.•Innovative techniques have advantages in ...improving yield and reducing pollution.
Microalgae, as a photosynthetic autotrophic organism, contain a variety of bioactive compounds, including lipids, proteins, polysaccharides, which have been applied in food, medicine, and fuel industries, among others. Microalgae are considered a good source of marine lipids due to their high content in unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) and can be used as a supplement/replacement for fish-based oil. The high concentration of docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA) in microalgae lipids, results in important physiological functions, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immune regulation, being also a prerequisite for its development and application. In this paper, a variety of approaches for the extraction of lipids from microalgae were reviewed, including classical and innovative approaches, being the advantages and disadvantages of these methods emphasized. Further, the effects of microalgae lipids as high value bioactive compounds in human health and their use for several applications are dealt with, aiming using green(er) and effective methods to extract lipids from microalgae, as well as develop and extend their application potential.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Cumulative data suggest that neuroinflammation plays a prominent role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. The purpose of this work was to assess if patients with AD present a specific ...cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytokine profile and if it correlates to disease progression. We determined the levels of 27 cytokines in CSF of patients with AD and compared them with patients with frontotemporal dementia and nondemented controls. In addition, we correlated the cytokine levels with cognitive status and disease progression after 12 months. Patients with AD had higher levels of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (eotaxin, interleukin IL-1ra, IL-4, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-15, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, platelet-derived growth factor, tumor necrosis factor alfa) compared to nondemented controls. There was a negative correlation between the disease progression and the levels of several cytokines (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-9, IL-17A, basic fibroblast growth factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interferon gamma, macrophage inflammatory proteins-1β). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting a “protective” role of the upregulation of specific intrathecal cytokine levels in AD. This finding supports that a fine “rebalancing” of the immune system represents a new target in AD therapeutic approach.
•AD patients have high levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the CSF.•CSF inflammatory changes are less prominent in patients with frontotemporal dementia.•Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines correlated positively with cognition in AD patients.•Cytokine levels correlated negatively with disease progression in AD patients.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Both cancer and tumour-associated host cells are exposed to ionizing radiation when a tumour is subjected to radiotherapy. Macrophages frequently constitute the most abundant tumour-associated immune ...population, playing a role in tumour progression and response to therapy. The present work aimed to evaluate the importance of macrophage-cancer cell communication in the cellular response to radiation. To address this question, we established monocultures and indirect co-cultures of human monocyte-derived macrophages with RKO or SW1463 colorectal cancer cells, which exhibit higher and lower radiation sensitivity, respectively. Mono- and co-cultures were then irradiated with 5 cumulative doses, in a similar fractionated scheme to that used during cancer patients' treatment (2 Gy/fraction/day). Our results demonstrated that macrophages sensitize RKO to radiation-induced apoptosis, while protecting SW1463 cells. Additionally, the co-culture with macrophages increased the mRNA expression of metabolism- and survival-related genes more in SW1463 than in RKO. The presence of macrophages also upregulated glucose transporter 1 expression in irradiated SW1463, but not in RKO cells. In addition, the influence of cancer cells on the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory macrophage markers, upon radiation exposure, was also evaluated. In the presence of RKO or SW1463, irradiated macrophages exhibit higher levels of pro-inflammatory TNF, IL6, CCL2 and CCR7, and of anti-inflammatory CCL18. However, RKO cells induce an increase of macrophage pro-inflammatory IL1B, while SW1463 cells promote higher pro-inflammatory CXCL8 and CD80, and also anti-inflammatory VCAN and IL10 levels. Thus, our data demonstrated that macrophages and cancer cells mutually influence their response to radiation. Notably, conditioned medium from irradiated co-cultures increased non-irradiated RKO cell migration and invasion and did not impact on angiogenesis in a chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay. Overall, the establishment of primary human macrophage-cancer cell co-cultures revealed an intricate cell communication in response to ionizing radiation, which should be considered when developing therapies adjuvant to radiotherapy.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•Chars from coal and pine gasification were activated with K2CO3.•Carbons properties were not improved by previous thermal and de-ash treatments.•High ABET values (1578m2g−1) were achieved for pine ...char derived carbons.•Micropore size distributions rule acetaminophen adsorption process.•Surface chemistry is determinant for the caffeine affinity towards the solids.
The high carbon contents and low toxicity levels of chars from coal and pine gasification provide an incentive to consider their use as precursors of porous carbons obtained by chemical activation with K2CO3. Given the chars characteristics, previous demineralization and thermal treatments were made, but no improvement on the solids properties was observed. The highest porosity development was obtained with the biomass derived char (Pi). This char sample produced porous materials with preparation yields near 50% along with high porosity development (ABET≈1500m2g−1).
For calcinations at 800°C, the control of the experimental conditions allowed the preparation of samples with a micropore system formed almost exclusively by larger micropores. A mesopore network was developed only for samples calcined at 900°C. Kinetic and equilibrium acetaminophen and caffeine adsorption data, showed that the processes obey to a pseudo-second order kinetic equation and to the Langmuir model, respectively. The results of sample Pi/1:3/800/2 outperformed those of the commercial carbons. Acetaminophen adsorption process was ruled by the micropore size distribution of the carbons. The caffeine monolayer capacities suggest a very efficient packing of this molecule in samples presenting monomodal micropore size distribution. The surface chemistry seems to be the determinant factor that controls the affinity of caffeine towards the carbons.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Myocardial infarction (MI) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and results from an obstruction in the blood supply to a region of the heart. In an attempt to replenish oxygen ...and nutrients to the deprived area, affected cells release signals to promote the development of new vessels and confer protection against MI. However, the mechanisms underlying the growth of new vessels in an ischaemic scenario remain poorly understood. Here, we show that cardiomyocytes subjected to ischaemia release exosomes that elicit an angiogenic response of endothelial cells (ECs).
Exosomes secreted by H9c2 myocardial cells and primary cardiomyocytes, cultured either in control or ischaemic conditions were isolated and added to ECs. We show that ischaemic exosomes, in comparison with control exosomes, confer protection against oxidative-induced lesion, promote proliferation, and sprouting of ECs, stimulate the formation of capillary-like structures and strengthen adhesion complexes and barrier properties. Moreover, ischaemic exosomes display higher levels of metalloproteases (MMP) and promote the secretion of MMP by ECs. We demonstrate that miR-222 and miR-143, the relatively most abundant miRs in ischaemic exosomes, partially recapitulate the angiogenic effect of exosomes. Additionally, we show that ischaemic exosomes stimulate the formation of new functional vessels in vivo using in ovo and Matrigel plug assays. Finally, we demonstrate that intramyocardial delivery of ischaemic exosomes improves neovascularization following MI.
This study establishes that exosomes secreted by cardiomyocytes under ischaemic conditions promote heart angiogenesis, which may pave the way towards the development of add-on therapies to enhance myocardial blood supply.
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•Fly ash from pine gasification was used as precursor of carbon-based materials.•Materials with ABET of 1171m2g−1 were obtain by chemical activation with K2CO3.•The solids were tested ...for the removal of acetaminophen from aqueous solution.•Molecular dimensions of monomer and dimer were considered in the discussion.•The affinity of paracetamol for the carbon is maximized by pores with width of 0.7nm.
Fly ash, a residue produced from pine gasification, was used as precursor of carbon-based materials assayed in acetaminophen adsorption. Materials prepared by activation with K2CO3, presented high porosity development (ABET≈1200m2g−1) and samples calcined at 900°C presented high volumes of large micropores and mesopores. Kinetic and equilibrium acetaminophen adsorption data showed that the process obeys to the pseudo-second order kinetic equation and Langmuir model, respectively. The rate of acetaminophen adsorption depends of the presence of larger micropores. For the lab-made samples monolayer adsorption capacities attained values similar to those of commercial carbons. The influence of the micropore size distribution of the carbons in the acetaminophen adsorption process justified the lower adsorption affinities of the lab-made carbons. The importance of pores of a specific dimension (0.7nm) to enhance the affinity of the molecule towards the carbon surface was demonstrated. The increase of temperature lead to higher monolayer adsorption capacities, most likely due to the easier accessibility of the acetaminophen species to the narrowest micropores.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder, may be a risk factor for severe COVID-19. We conducted an observational retrospective study with 15 consecutive adult MG patients ...admitted with COVID-19 at four hospitals in São Paulo, Brazil. Most patients with MG hospitalized for COVID-19 had severe courses of the disease: 87% were admitted in the intensive care unit, 73% needed mechanical ventilation, and 30% died. Immunoglobulin use and the plasma exchange procedure were safe. Immunosuppressive therapy seems to be associated with better outcomes, as it might play a protective role.
This work describes an electrochemical sensor with a biomimetic plastic antibody film for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA, an important biomarker in colorectal cancer), integrated in the electrical ...circuit of a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), working in passive mode and used herein as power supply and signal transducer. In detail, the sensing layer for CEA consisted of a Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO) conductive glass substrate – connected to the negative pole side of the DMFC – with a conductive poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) layer and a polypyrrol (PPy) molecularly-imprinted polymer (MIP), assembled in-situ. This sensing element is then closed using a cover FTO-glass, hold in place with a clip, connected to the positive side of the DMFC. When compared with control DMFCs, the power curves of DMFC/Sensor integrated system showed decreased power values due to the MIP layer interfaced in the electrical circuit, also displaying high stability signals. The DMFC/Sensor was further calibrated at room temperature, in different medium (buffer, a synthetic physiological fluid model and Cormay® serum), showing linear responses over a wide concentration range, with a limit of detection of 0.08 ng/mL. The DMFC/Sensor presented sensitive data, with linear responses from 0.1 ng/mL to 100 μg/mL and operating well in the presence of human serum.
Overall, the results obtained evidenced the possibility of using a DMFC as a transducing element in an electrochemical sensor, confirming the sensitive and selective readings of the bio (sensing) imprinted film. This integration paves the way towards fully autonomous electrochemical devices, in which the integration of the sensor inside the fuel cell may be a subsequent direction.
•Passive methanol fuel cell and electrochemical biosensor integrated for the first time.•Molecularly-imprinted polymer generated in situ for carcinoembryonic antigen detection.•Two-electrode configuration electrochemical cell as the biosensor.•Power of the fuel cell is carcinoembryonic antigen concentration dependent.•The use of passive methanol fuel cell allows point-of-care applications.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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