Interleukin-23p19 expression in patients with ulcerative colitis and its relation to disease severity

SummaryBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine whether the mucosal expression of interleukin (IL)-23p19 has a role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis, and to determine its relation to disease severity.MethodsThis study was performed on 50 patients with ulcerative colitis and 10 normal individuals as the controls. They were divided into Group I (27 patients with mild to moderate disease), Group II (23 patients with severe disease), and Group III (10 normal individuals). All patients and the controls were subjected to histopathological study, IL-23p19 immunohistochemical staining, IL-23R expression by flow cytometry, and serum IL-23 by enzyme-linked immunoassay.ResultsThere was a significant increase in IL-23p19 gene expression and IL-23R level in patients with ulcerative colitis, compared to the controls. A significant positive correlation was detected between increased expression of the IL-23p19 gene, IL-23R, high serum IL-23, and the severity of the disease.ConclusionIncreased expression of the IL-23p19 gene has a role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Targeted therapy directed against IL-23p19 may be effective in its treatment. Increased expression of the IL-23p19 gene and IL-23R with high serum IL-23 is correlated positively with disease severity

Moderating Gut Microbiome/Mitochondrial Axis in Oxazolone Induced Ulcerative Colitis: The Evolving Role of β-Glucan and/or, Aldose Reductase Inhibitor, Fidarestat

A mechanistic understanding of the dynamic interactions between the mitochondria and the gut microbiome is thought to offer innovative explanations for many diseases and thus provide innovative management approaches, especially in GIT-related autoimmune diseases, such as ulcerative colitis (UC). β-Glucans, important components of many nutritious diets, including oats and mushrooms, have been shown to exhibit a variety of biological anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating actions. Our research study sought to provide insight into the function of β-glucan and/or fidarestat in modifying the microbiome/mitochondrial gut axis in the treatment of UC. A total of 50 Wistar albino male rats were grouped into five groups: control, UC, β-Glucan, Fidarestat, and combined treatment groups. All the groups were tested for the presence of free fatty acid receptors 2 and 3 (FFAR-2 and -3) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) mRNA gene expressions. The reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and ATP content were found. The trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels were also examined. Nuclear factor kappa β (NF-kβ), nuclear factor (erythroid-2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2) DNA binding activity, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1 (PGC-1) were identified using the ELISA method. We observed a substantial increase FFAR-2, -3, and TFAM mRNA expression after the therapy. Similar increases were seen in the ATP levels, MMP, SCFA, PGC-1, and Nrf2 DNA binding activity. The levels of ROS, TMAO, and NF-kβ, on the other hand, significantly decreased. Using β-glucan and fidarestat together had unique therapeutic benefits in treating UC by focusing on the microbiota/mitochondrial axis, opening up a new avenue for a potential treatment for such a complex, multidimensional illness

Moderating Gut Microbiome/Mitochondrial Axis in Oxazolone Induced Ulcerative Colitis: The Evolving Role of β-Glucan and/or, Aldose Reductase Inhibitor, Fidarestat

A mechanistic understanding of the dynamic interactions between the mitochondria and the gut microbiome is thought to offer innovative explanations for many diseases and thus provide innovative management approaches, especially in GIT-related autoimmune diseases, such as ulcerative colitis (UC). β-Glucans, important components of many nutritious diets, including oats and mushrooms, have been shown to exhibit a variety of biological anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating actions. Our research study sought to provide insight into the function of β-glucan and/or fidarestat in modifying the microbiome/mitochondrial gut axis in the treatment of UC. A total of 50 Wistar albino male rats were grouped into five groups: control, UC, β-Glucan, Fidarestat, and combined treatment groups. All the groups were tested for the presence of free fatty acid receptors 2 and 3 (FFAR-2 and -3) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) mRNA gene expressions. The reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and ATP content were found. The trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels were also examined. Nuclear factor kappa β (NF-kβ), nuclear factor (erythroid-2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2) DNA binding activity, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1 (PGC-1) were identified using the ELISA method. We observed a substantial increase FFAR-2, -3, and TFAM mRNA expression after the therapy. Similar increases were seen in the ATP levels, MMP, SCFA, PGC-1, and Nrf2 DNA binding activity. The levels of ROS, TMAO, and NF-kβ, on the other hand, significantly decreased. Using β-glucan and fidarestat together had unique therapeutic benefits in treating UC by focusing on the microbiota/mitochondrial axis, opening up a new avenue for a potential treatment for such a complex, multidimensional illness

Correction: Epidemiology and outcomes of early-onset AKI in COVID-19-related ARDS in comparison with non-COVID-19-related ARDS: insights from two prospective global cohort studies (Critical Care, (2023), 27, 1, (3), 10.1186/s13054-022-04294-5)

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors identified that the collaborating authors part of the collaborating author group CCCC Consortium was missing. The collaborating author group is available and included as Additional file 1 in this article

Stroke in critically ill patients with respiratory failure due to COVID-19: Disparities between low-middle and high-income countries

Purpose: We aimed to compare the incidence of stroke in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) versus high-income countries (HICs) in critically ill patients with COVID-19 and its impact on in-hospital mortality. Methods: International observational study conducted in 43 countries. Stroke and mortality incidence rates and rate ratios (IRR) were calculated per admitted days using Poisson regression. Inverse probability weighting (IPW) was used to address the HICs vs. LMICs imbalance for confounders. Results: 23,738 patients [20,511(86.4 %) HICs vs. 3,227(13.6 %) LMICs] were included. The incidence stroke/1000 admitted-days was 35.7 (95 %CI = 28.4–44.9) LMICs and 17.6 (95 %CI = 15.8–19.7) HICs; ischemic 9.47 (95 %CI = 6.57–13.7) LMICs, 1.97 (95 %CI = 1.53, 2.55) HICs; hemorrhagic, 7.18 (95 %CI = 4.73–10.9) LMICs, and 2.52 (95 %CI = 2.00–3.16) HICs; unspecified stroke type 11.6 (95 %CI = 7.75–17.3) LMICs, 8.99 (95 %CI = 7.70–10.5) HICs. In regression with IPW, LMICs vs. HICs had IRR = 1.78 (95 %CI = 1.31–2.42, p < 0.001). Patients from LMICs were more likely to die than those from HICs [43.6% vs 29.2 %; Relative Risk (RR) = 2.59 (95 %CI = 2.29–2.93), p < 0.001)]. Patients with stroke were more likely to die than those without stroke [RR = 1.43 (95 %CI = 1.19–1.72), p < 0.001)]. Conclusions: Stroke incidence was low in HICs and LMICs although the stroke risk was higher in LMICs. Both LMIC status and stroke increased the risk of death. Improving early diagnosis of stroke and redistribution of healthcare resources should be a priority. Trial registration: ACTRN12620000421932 registered on 30/03/2020