Plant polysaccharides can exert immunomodulatory activities. In this study we provided chemical characterization of wheat cell culture-derived polysaccharides (WCCPS) and assessed their capacity to modulate inflammatory responses in mouse macrophages. The total sample (T-010) contained arabinogalactans, arabinans, glucans and xyloglucans. Fractionation by anion-exchange chromatography rendered a bound acidic fraction (B-010) and an unbound neutral fraction (UB-010). The B-010 fraction was enriched in arabinogalactans and arabinans, with some galactans, homogalacturonans, and arabinoxylans. The neutral UB-010 fraction was composed of glucans and xyloglucans. None of the WCCPS preparations triggered cytokine production on their own, but each potentiated different macrophage responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The total WCCPS in T-010 increased LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 secretion, whereas the acidic arabinogalactan-rich fraction B-010 boosted IL-6 release and selectively upregulated nitric oxide synthase 2 (Nos2) and cholesterol 25-hydroxylase (Ch25h) expression in response to LPS. In contrast, the neutral UB-010 fraction enhanced IL-6 levels and induced Nos2 expression without altering Ch25h expression. These results suggest that WCCPS can modulate distinct aspects of the inflammatory response, with their effects shaped by their composition and structural features. Future research will focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory activity of WCCPS.

Introduction: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains the most significant complication of extreme prematurity, affecting long-term respiratory outcomes. Because current diagnostic criteria identify only established lesions at 36 weeks postmenstrual age, early non-invasive biomarkers are needed. This pilot study aimed to identify a candidate salivary miRNA panel associated with BPD risk and to explore its pathogenetic relevance through in silico analysis. Methods: Saliva was collected from 20 preterm infants (10 with BPD and 10 controls), and miRNA expression was profiled using the GeneChip™ miRNA 4.1 Array Plate. Discriminatory performance was explored by ROC analysis within this discovery cohort, together with power and Spearman correlation analyses. Results: Expression of hsa-let-7b-5p, hsa-let-7c-5p, and hsa-miR-4454 was significantly elevated in the BPD group (p < 0.05, log2FC ≥ 1.0), with no significant correlation with gestational age or birth weight. Bootstrap-corrected AUC values ranged from 0.905 to 0.937 and were supported by leave-one-out cross-validation. All three miRNAs showed very large effect sizes exceeding the minimum detectable effect at 80% power. Conclusions: In this pilot study, salivary miRNAs represent a hypothesis-generating candidate biomarker signal for BPD that requires external validation in larger, independent cohorts before any diagnostic or prognostic application can be considered.

Natural polysaccharides (PSs) have shown inhibitory effects on differentiated cancer cells (DCCs), but their activity against cancer stem cells (CSCs) remains poorly understood. Here, we report that PSs from wheat cell cultures (WCCPSs) inhibit the proliferation of both DCCs and CSCs derived from HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells. Among them, NA and DC fractions showed the strongest anti-CSC activity. NA, rich in xylose, was effective at lower concentrations, while DC, enriched in xylose and galacturonic acid (GalUA), exhibited higher potency, with a lower IC50 and preferential activity against CSCs at higher doses. WCCPSs reduced β-catenin levels, and some fractions also downregulated Ep-CAM, CD44, and c-Myc. Notably, DC increased caspase-3 without inducing cytochrome C and caspase-8 overexpression, suggesting a mechanism promoting CSC differentiation rather than apoptosis. Correlation analysis linked xylose content to reduced c-Myc expression, and GalUA levels to increased caspase-3. These results suggest that WCCPS bioactivity may be related to their monosaccharide composition. Overall, our findings support the potential of wheat-derived PSs as CSC-targeting agents that suppress self-renewal and promote differentiation, offering a promising approach to reduce tumor aggressiveness and recurrence.

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of post-infection fatigue (PVFS) over one year after COVID-19. Material and methods: 165 people who had COVID-19 more than a year ago were interviewed. A Fatigue Assessment Scale was used to assess the degree of fatigue. Chemiluminescent analysis was carried out to detect antibodies to Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) antigens. For statistical analysis Fisher's exact test and Spearman correlation were conducted. Results: Among people with PVFS, there were 4.1 times more women than men (80.4% vs. 19.6%), people over 45 years old (76%), and people who needed hospitalization for COVID-19 (76%). The average fatigue duration was 573±18,3 days. Among individuals without PVFS, there were significantly more individuals under the age of 45 compared with the group of individuals with PVFS (40% and 24%, respectively, p=0.007) and there were significantly more individuals who did not need hospitalization compared with the group of individuals with PVFS (52% vs. 24%, p=0.005). EBV reactivation was determined in almost half of the individuals with PVFS (48%), while none of the individuals without PVFS had EBV reactivation. A statistically significant negative mean correlation was found between the duration of PVFS and the severity of PVFS (r=-0.357, p=0.007). A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the PVFS duration and the PVFS severity (r=-0.357, p=0.007). Conclusion: PVFS is a prevalent symptom after COVID-19. The duration of PVFS can reach and not be limited to 1.5 years. PVFS is more typical of women, people over 45 years of age and people who have had moderate and severe COVID-19. Over time, the severity of PVFS decreases. Key words: COVID-19, post-infection fatigue, Epstein-Barr virus

There is a global need to discover effective anti-cancerous compounds from natural sources. Cultivated wheat cells can be a valuable source of non-toxic or low toxic plant-derived polysaccharides. In this study, we evaluated the anti-cancer ability of seven fractions of wheat cell culture polysaccharides (WCCPSs) in the HCT-116 colon cancer cell line. Almost all (6/7) fractions had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of colon cancer cells, and two fractions (A-b and A-f) had considerable therapeutic indexes. The WCCPS fractions induced cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase and induced different rates of apoptosis (≤48%). Transmission and scanning electron microscopy revealed that WCCPS fractions caused apoptotic changes in the nucleus and cytoplasm, including damage to mitochondria and external morphological signs of apoptosis. In addition, the WCCPSs induced an increase in the levels of Bax, cytochrome c, and caspases 8 and 3, indicating that cell death progressed through intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis. Furthermore, some fractions caused a significant decrease of c-Myc, b-catenin, NFkB2, and HCAM (CD 44) levels, indicating enhanced cell differentiation. Thus, for the first time, our results provide a proof of concept of the anti-cancer capacity of WCCPS fractions in colorectal cancer.

Objectives: High accuracy diagnostic screening tests for tuberculosis (TB) are required to improve the diagnosis of both active TB and latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection (LTBI). The novel IGRA LIOFeron (R) TB/LTBI assay was tested and its accuracy was compared to the QuantiFERON (R)-TB Gold Plus assay. Methods: A total of 389 subjects were enrolled in two cohorts and classified as healthy, active TB or LTBI persons. The blood of all the patients was tested with LIOFeron (R) TB/LTBI assay, containing MTB alanine dehydrogenase, able to differentiate active TB from LTBI diagnosis. The results obtained with both IGRAs, performed on the same 250 samples, were finally compared. Results: The two assays demonstrated an excellent concordance of their results with patients' diagnosis of MTB infection. ROC analysis for QuantiFERON (R)-TB Gold Plus showed sensitivity and specificity respectively of 98% and 97% in diagnosing active TB patients and 85% and 94% in diagnosing LTBI subjects. LIOFeron (R) TB/LTBI assay showed sensitivity and specificity respectively of 90% and 98% in diagnosing active TB patients and 94% and 97% in diagnosing LTBI subjects. Conclusions: The two IGRAs displayed the same high accuracy in diagnosing MTB infection/TB disease, and LIOFeron (R) TB/LTBI assay demonstrated higher sensitivity than QuantiFERON (R)-TB Gold Plus test in LTBI detection. (c) 2019 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases.

The problem of the prevalence of tuberculosis is still relevant to this day. Moreover, multidrug forms of this disease are increasingly recorded. To date, many scientific centers conduct research in order to identify significant genetic predictors of both development and course of tuberculosis. A large number of studies aim to examine polymorphisms of Toll-like receptors (TLR) of innate immunity cells. Polymorphisms in genes of the innate immune system have a decisive influence on the occurrence, development and outcome of infectious disease. The review provides information on the latest immunogenetic studies in this area. In particular, studies of susceptibility to TB in different populations have been carried out. As the analysis of the literature showed, the results of research are diverse and sometimes contradictory. Their systematization allowed to identify several gene polymorphisms of TLR, prospective for further study and possible use as predictors of the development and course of tubercular process. Of the many examined polymorphisms, TLR2 rs5743708 (2258G/A genotype) and TLR1 rs4833095 (743A/G genotype) seem to be most interesting for further study. The first is a polymorphism "promoting" the development of the disease. The second can be referred to "preventing" the pathological process by influencing the functional activity of receptors of innate immunity. The accumulation of information in this field in the world is just beginning. Great interest is the question of the contribution of TLRs genetic polymorphisms in susceptibility to tuberculosis process in general and to its various forms, including MDR.

The role of polymorphic alleles of cytokines in infectious process is shown in the survey. In particular, the cytokine genes and their variants that determine the course and outcome of chronic viral hepatitis were stadied. Also, the state of post-vaccination is stadied.