The aim of this study is to summarize studies on statins used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) and its underlying mechanisms. We searched some representing databases. Some studies were included if the effects of statins were tested on MS and EAE. The methodological quality was evaluated by the Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies checklist. Studies have confirmed that statins have immunomodulatory, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, and can be used in combination with immunomodulators of different mechanisms to treat MS and EAE. Statins have been shown to improve the following symptoms MS, reduce the number of attacks and the number of lesions, through immunomodulatory, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, and has a good safety profile. In short, statins represent an attractive new measure for treating MS. Some studies indicate that in addition to immunomodulatory effects, statins may have neuroprotective and neuro-repairing effects. The combination of statins with other immunosuppressive drugs has also produced encouraging results. This can be broadly prospects prospected to treat MS and EAE. It is hoped that in the near future, a combination of statins with less adverse reactions and high efficacy combined with other immunomodulators will bring exact results to patients with MS.

Natural compounds are found to play an essential role in diverse inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Orientin, a flavonoid compound, is closely related to diverse pathological processes. Nevertheless, the role of orientin in RA is still unknown. The cell viability was tested through cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay, and the number of cell colonies was calculated via colony formation assay. In addition, flow cytometry assay was employed to detect apoptosis rate in human RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS). Besides, Transwell assay was introduced to determine cell migratory and invasive abilities. Moreover, the level of cytokines (IL-8, IL-1β, and IL-6) was estimated with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assay. Furthermore, western blotting analysis was used to test the protein levels of cleaved-caspase-3, Bax, BCL-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase, p-P38, and phospho-extracellular signal-related kinase. Orientin inhibited cell viability, migration as well as invasion in a concentration- dependent manner in human RA-FLS. Additionally, treatment of orientin facilitated apoptosis and decreased the secretion of cytokines induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in human RA-FLS. Moreover, orientin inactivated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-related signaling pathway, notably in human RA-FLS. These findings confirmed that orientin inhibited human RA-FLS development and decreased TNF-α-induced inflammatory factors, at least partly, by modulating MAPK-signaling pathway, which implied that orientin might be an effective agent for treating RA.

Temporary henna tattoos have become increasingly popular, particularly among children and teenagers. The word "henna" is of Persian origin, and it is prepared from the plant Lawsonia inermis belonging to the family Lythraceae. Concerning allergic reactions, natural henna paste is rarely responsible for contact dermatitis, which is more frequent if paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is added to the paste. The authors present a case of female child with erythematous exanthems that appeared after the application of black henna tattoo. A diagnosis of contact dermatitis to black henna tattoo was hypothesised. Epicutaneous tests were performed at the Immunoalergology Department of the Coimbra University Hospital using standard European battery and natural henna paste. The tests revealed positive reaction to PPD.

Wenyang Pingchuan Formula (WPCF) is an empirical formula for the treatment of acute childhood asthma. However, the "time-effect" relationship of this prescription is not clear. This paper explores the relationship between Janus activated kinase signal transducer and activator of transcriptions (JAK/STAT), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and microRNA (miR-19a), and also preliminarily determines the best time-effect relationship of WPCF in reducing the airway inflammation in asthmatic mice. 80 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: control (CON) group, model (MDL) group, dexamethasone (DEX) group, and WPCF group. MDL group was established through intraperitoneal injection of 10% ovalbumin (OVA) and Al(OH)3 solution and the inhalation of aerosolized 5% OVA solution. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), real-time PCR and Western blot were conducted to determine the levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), contents of miR-19a mRNA and STAT6, phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription 6 (p-STAT6), p65, phosphorylated p65 (p-p65), suppressors of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1), and tumor necrosis factor α-induced protein-3 (Tnfaip3) proteins after 7 and 28 days of intervention respectively. Significant down-regulation of IL-4 and IL-13 expression (P<0.05) and up-regulation of IFN-γ expression (P<0.05) in BALF have been observed for WPCF group compared with the MDL group. The significant down-regulation of miR-19a mRNA and STAT6, p-STAT6, p65, p-p65 proteins (P<0.05) and up-regulation of SOCS1 and Tnfaip3 proteins (P<0.05) in BALF was also observed for WPCF group compared to the MDL group. During the experiment, the weight of the mice in DEX group significantly decreased (P<0.05) compared with the other groups. WPCF could restore Th1/Th2 balance. The longer the intervention time, the more effective the treatment. The down-regulation of miR-19a mRNA by activating JAK/STAT and NF-κB signal pathways may be a possible mechanism by which WPCF alleviates airway inflammation.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common otolaryngologic disease with frequent episodes of sneezing, clear nasal discharge flow and nasal congestion. The mechanisms of AR are complex and considered generally caused by the immune tolerance deficiency. Regulatory B cells (Bregs) are immunosuppressive cells that can modulate immune responses by the secretion of IL-10, IL-35, and tumor growth factor-β (TGF-β) and via the interaction of membrane surface molecules. However, Bregs are numerically deficient and/or dysfunctional in airway allergic diseases such as AR and allergic asthma, and the related mechanisms remain unclear. In this review, we summarize the role of Bregs in AR pathogenesis and highlight the importance of Bregs in maintaining immune tolerance. It is believed that further research on Bregs will contribute to developing new treatments and finding specific biomarkers that could help to predict disease progression.

Lung cancer is a common malignancy. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is divided into lung squamous cancer (LUSC), large cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. More than 85% of lung cancer cases are NSCLC patients. Further exploration of the pathogenesis of lung cancer is of great significance. In this study, functions of far upstream element-binding protein 1 (FUBP1) on the proliferation and tumor immunity of LUSC cells were evaluated. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis were used to examine the overexpression levels of FUBP1 in LUSC and paracancerous tissues, LUSC cell line, and human normal lung cell line. Then, Western blot assay was employed to validate the transfection efficiency of FUBP1 knockdown in SK-MES-1 cells. Cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays were used to detect the viability and proliferation of SK-MES-1 cells. Transwell assay was used to examine the migrative and invasive abilities of SK-MES-1 cells. Finally, the xenograft tumor mice model was applied to explore the role of FUBP1 in vivo. IHC assay was used to determine the expression levels FUBP1, PD-L1, and Ki-67. Flow cytometry technology was employed to detect the proportion of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in short sequence negative control (sh-NC) and sh-FUBP1 groups. Collectively, the results first indicated that FUBP1 was up-regulated in LUSC tissues and cells. It was also demonstrated that knockdown of FUBP1 suppressed cell migration, invasion, and proliferation in lung squamous carcinoma cells. Finally, knockdown of FUBP1 regulated tumor immunity in vivo. This research suggested that FUBP1 promotes the proliferation of LUSC cells and regulates tumor immunity through programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1).

This study aimed to assess the protein expression of E-cadherin and filaggrin (FLG) in the oesophagus of paediatric and adolescent patients diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). It is a cross-sectional study conducted with 24 patients with EoE and 17 control patients, from June 2015 to June 2018. The histological analyses were performed by a trained pathologist. The protein expression of E-cadherin and FLG in oesophageal biopsy fragments was determined using an immunohistochemical technique. The epidemiological data were retrieved from medical records. There were no statistical differences in age and sex between case-patients and control patients. Food allergy was significantly higher in patients with EoE, as was the number of eosinophils present in the oesophageal biopsy materials. The immunohistochemical studies did not indicate FLG expression in any patient from the two groups. E-cadherin showed significantly reduced expression in patients with EoE. We concluded that FLG did not seem to play an important role in the mucosal alteration in EoE and that E-cadherin under expression could be a promising marker of epithelial damage in these patients.

The attitude and behaviors of parents are important in the management of children with food allergy (FA). The aim of this study is to evaluate the experiences and attitudes of parents of children with allergy to cow's milk and other FA. The parents of children with FA were asked to complete an 18-item questionnaire to evaluate the FA history and experiences during diagnosis, treatment, and follow up. The data from 558 (91.2%) survey questionnaire that were filled completely were analyzed. The mean age of the parents was 33.4+4.9. It was found that most common food allergen was cow's milk (85.3%). The mean time to diagnosis from the onset of symptoms was 10.9±18.4 months. Around 229 parents (41.6%) admitted to at least four different physicians and 68 (12.3%) parents admitted to at least five different physicians before diagnosis. The median time to diagnosis from the onset of symptoms was five (1-108) months in the patients admitted to four or more physicians, but it was one (1-48) month in the patients that admitted to less physicians (p˂0.001). The most common symptoms were dermatitis and mucus-bloody stool, the least common ones were cardiovascular symptoms. Only 21.1% of the patients were able to use hypoallergenic formulas (HAF) in accordance with the recommendation of the physician. Delayed diagnosis of FA is a major concern, and during this period the patients admit many physicians. A majority of the patients with CMPA experience difficulties while using HAFs, and only one-fifth of them is able to use formula regularly.

Respiratory infections (RI) significantly burden society, mainly when there are recurrent respiratory infections (RRI). Thus, there is a need to prevent RI in clinical practice. In this regard, the modulation of the immune system and resolution of the inflammatory cascade could represent an ideal way to prevent RI. Stimunex® gocce, a multicomponent food supplement, contains Sambucus nigra extract, β-glucan, Zinc, and Vitamin D3. This study investigated its ability to prevent RRI in children using a real-world setting: the pediatric primary care. Two hundred and ninety-eight children with RRI were enrolled in the current study. The food supplement was randomly prescribed to 160 children with RRI daily for 4 months (Active group); the remaining 138 children with RRI were treated only with standard therapy for RI (Control group). The number and duration of RI, parental perception of symptom severity and treatment efficacy, use of medications, and school and working absence were evaluated. Children treated with Stimunex® gocce had significantly less RI than the Control group, both concerning upper and lower RI (p˂0.001 and 0.003, respectively) during the follow-up period. Moreover, children in the Active group experienced shorter RI duration during the treatment and follow-up phases (p˂0.001 for both). In addition, parents of treated children perceived less severe symptoms and better treatment efficacy during the first and follow-up phases (p˂0.001 for all). The food supplement was well tolerated and there was no adverse event. The current real-world study demonstrated that Stimunex® gocce supplementation in children with RRI might safely prevent RI episodes and reduce RI duration. These outcomes should be highlighted as obtained during the COVID-19 pandemic era, characterized by a dramatic reduction of RI.

Background: Inactivated vaccines against coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) offer an effective public health intervention to mitigate this devastating pandemic. However, little is known about their safety in patients with wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA). Methods: We recruited 72 WDEIA patients and 730 healthy matched controls who received an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. Participants were monitored for 4 weeks after each immunization for adverse reactions and completed questionnaires regarding local and systemic reactions at 7 and 28 days after each vaccination. For those who had received the COVID-19 vaccine prior to enrollment, adverse event data were obtained retrospectively. Results: Local and systemic adverse events occurred at similar rates in the WDEIA group and the control group. In both groups, injection-site pain and fatigue were the most common local and systemic reactions, respectively. Compared with healthy controls, more allergic events were reported in the WDEIA group (after dose 1, 0.5% vs. 4.2%, p=0.019; after dose 2, 0% vs. 1.4%, p=0.089). Allergic reactions mainly manifested as rash, urticaria, and edema, which were mild and controllable. No serious allergic events were reported. Conclusions: The adverse event profile of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine did not differ between WDEIA patients and healthy controls. The risk of allergic reactions in patients with WDEIA seems higher, but no anaphylaxis was reported, and the allergic reactions were controllable. Inactivated COVID-19 vaccines appear to be well-tolerated in WDEIA patients, but patients with potential allergy risks should be cautious.