Cross-Trait Meta-Analysis Reveals a Genetic Link between Inflammation and Aging in Giant Cell Arteritis.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a complex inflammatory disease affecting individuals over 50 suggesting a strong link with aging-related immune and vascular changes. However, the precise mechanisms underlying this age-related susceptibility remain poorly understood. Considering the relevance of aging in GCA, genetic factors influencing biological aging markers, such as telomere shortening and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), might also contribute to its development.

Unraveling the molecular landscape of Erdheim-Chester disease: new insights from methylome and transcriptome integration.

Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD) is a rare histiocytosis characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Although somatic mutations have been involved in ECD, its etiology remains poorly understood. This study aimed to identify novel molecular mechanisms involved in ECD through the first integrated methylome and transcriptome analysis.

Genome-wide DNA methylation study reveals specific signatures in the affected arterial tissue of giant cell arteritis patients.

Objectives: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large-vessel vasculitis, potentially causing complications such as blindness and strokes. This study aims to gain insights into the pathogenesis of GCA by identifying specific DNA methylation signatures in the arterial tissue of patients with this vasculitis.

Methods: DNA methylation profiling was analyzed in 79 temporal artery biopsy samples (69 patients with GCA and 10 controls) by performing an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS).

COVID-19 serological survey utilizing antenatal serum samples in British Columbia.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, highlighted the need for accurate and timely data on virus spread and immune responses at a population level. Serological surveys offer a comprehensive view of population-level immune response to SARS-CoV-2 post- infection and/or vaccination. Here, we performed a serial cross-sectional study from residual serum samples collected from pregnant individuals in British Columbia during their first trimester antenatal screening.

Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 Do Not Cross-React with Endemic Coronaviruses in a Pediatric Population: Data from a Bangladesh Cohort.

There is a limited understanding of the immunological differences between children and adults that protect children from developing severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Previous infection with endemic human coronaviruses (HCoVs) has been suggested as a factor. In this study, we used 100 paired residual samples collected before and during the COVID-19 pandemic from children in Bangladesh.

Maternal oxygenation and fetal-neonatal mortality among patients with COVID-19 requiring advanced respiratory support in ICU: A multicenter prospective cohort study.

Objective: To explore the association of maternal characteristics, oxygenation, and mechanical ventilatory parameters with fetal and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: The present study was a multicenter, binational (Argentina/Colombia), prospective, cohort study, conducted in 21 intensive care units (ICUs) and including pregnant or postpartum patients with COVID-19 pneumonia requiring advanced respiratory support and their fetuses/neonates. Advanced respiratory support was defined as high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).

The effect of cycloplegia in the accuracy of autorefraction, keratometry and axial length using the Myopia Master.

Background: Assessing refractive errors under cycloplegia is recommended for paediatric patients; however, this may not always be feasible. In these situations, refraction has to rely on measurements made under active accommodation which may increase measurements variability and error. Therefore, evaluating the accuracy and precision of non-cycloplegic refraction and biometric measurements is clinically relevant.

Combining ranger records and biogeographical models to identify the current and potential distribution of an expanding mesocarnivore in southern Europe.

Human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) are increasing and are potentially harmful to both people and wildlife. Understanding the current and potential distribution of wildlife species involved in HWC, such as carnivores, is essential for implementing management and conservation measures for such species. In this study, we assessed both the current distribution and potential distribution (forecast) of the Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) in the central part of the Iberian Peninsula.

Early-life infection depletes preleukemic cells in a mouse model of hyperdiploid B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Epidemiological studies report opposing influences of infection on childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Although infections in the first year of life appear to exert the largest impact on leukemia risk, the effect of early pathogen exposure on the fetal preleukemia cells (PLC) that lead to B-ALL has yet to be reported. Using cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection as a model early-life infection, we show that virus exposure within 1 week of birth induces profound depletion of transplanted E2A-PBX1 and hyperdiploid B-ALL cells in wild-type recipients and in situ-generated PLC in Eμ-ret mice.

Decoding CD4 T cell transcriptome in giant cell arteritis: Novel pathways and altered cross-talk with monocytes.

Background: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an immune-mediated large-vessels vasculitis with complex etiology. Although the pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood, a central role for CD4 T cells has been demonstrated. In this context, understanding the transcriptome dysregulation in GCA CD4 T cells will yield new insights into its pathogenesis.

Risk loci involved in giant cell arteritis susceptibility: a genome-wide association study.

Background: Giant cell arteritis is an age-related vasculitis that mainly affects the aorta and its branches in individuals aged 50 years and older. Current options for diagnosis and treatment are scarce, highlighting the need to better understand its underlying pathogenesis. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have emerged as a powerful tool for unravelling the pathogenic mechanisms involved in complex diseases.

Single-cell transcriptomic profiling reveals a pathogenic role of cytotoxic CD4 T cells in giant cell arteritis.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis mediated by an aberrant immunological response against the blood vessel wall. Although the pathogenic mechanisms that drive GCA have not yet been elucidated, there is strong evidence that CD4 T cells are key drivers of the inflammatory process occurring in this vasculitis. The aim of this study was to further delineate the role of CD4 T cells in GCA by applying single-cell RNA sequencing and T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire profiling to 114.

Uptake of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination among structurally-marginalized people who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada.

We sought to evaluate the rates and predictors of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination among members of a structurally-marginalized population of people who use drugs (PWUD) during a targeted, community-wide, vaccination campaign in Vancouver, Canada. Interviewer-administered data were collected from study participants between June 2021 and March 2022. Generalized estimating equation analysis was used to identify factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccine uptake, ascertained through a province-wide vaccine registry.

Mucosal Immune Defence Gene Polymorphisms as Relevant Players in the Pathogenesis of IgA Vasculitis?

(rs11150612, rs11574637), rs17019602, rs4077515, (rs2738048, rs10086568), and rs2412971 are mucosal immune defence polymorphisms, that have an impact on IgA production, described as risk for IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Since IgAN and Immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV) share molecular mechanisms, with the aberrant deposit of IgA1 being the main pathophysiologic feature of both entities, we assessed the potential influence of the seven abovementioned polymorphisms on IgAV pathogenesis. These seven variants were genotyped in 381 Caucasian IgAV patients and 997 matched healthy controls.

CTLA-4 Pathway Is Instrumental in Giant Cell Arteritis.

Background: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) causes severe inflammation of the aorta and its branches and is characterized by intense effector T-cell infiltration. The roles that immune checkpoints play in the pathogenesis of GCA are still unclear. Our aim was to study the immune checkpoint interplay in GCA.

Determining the Optimal SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Dosing Interval for Maximum Immunogenicity.

Objective: Emerging evidence indicates that longer SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dosing intervals results in an enhanced immune response. However, the optimal vaccine dosing interval for achieving maximum immunogenicity is unclear.

Methods: This study included samples from adult paramedics in Canada who received two doses of either BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccines and provided blood samples six months (170 to 190 days) after the first vaccine dose.