Eirini Irene Tsilioni

Eirini Irene Tsilioni
Tufts University | Tufts · Immunology

Ph.D.

About

79
Publications
11,074
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Introduction
Eirini "Irene" Tsilioni currently works as a Research Assistant Professor at the Department of Immunology at Tufts University School of Medicine. Her research interests include studies on the role of neuroinflammation and exosomes in intercellular communication in a variety of diseases including Long-COVID syndrome.
Additional affiliations
January 2007 - December 2012
University of Thessaly

Publications

Publications (79)
Article
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Neuroinflammation is involved in various neurological and neurodegenerative disorders in which the activation of microglia is one of the key factors. In this study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of the flavonoids nobiletin (5,6,7,8,3′,4′-hexamethoxyflavone) and eriodictyol (3′,4′,5,7-tetraxydroxyflavanone) on human microglia cell line a...
Article
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Objective Long COVID is a major health concern because many patients develop chronic neuropsychiatric symptoms, but the precise pathogenesis is unknown. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) can disrupt neuronal connectivity and be elevated in patients with long COVID. Methods In this study, MMP-9 was measured in the serum of long COVID patients and...
Article
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Background: Only one study has reported the presence of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in COPD patients’ sputum. Thus, we aimed to isolate and characterize EVs from COPD and healthy individuals’ sputum. Methods: A total of 20 spontaneous sputum samples from COPD patients (m/f: 19/1) and induced sputum samples from healthy controls (m/f: 8/2) were use...
Article
Introduction: Mast cells are known for their involvement in allergic reactions but also in inflammatory reactions via secretion of numerous pro-inflammatory chemokines, cytokines, and enzymes. Drug development has focused on antiproliferative therapy for systemic mastocytosis and not on inhibitors of mast cell activation. The only drug available a...
Preprint
Full-text available
Long-COVID is a major health concern because many patients develop chronic neuropsychiatric symptoms, but the precise pathogenesis is unknown. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) can disrupt neuronal connectivity and was elevated in patients with COVID-19. MMP-9 was measured in the serum of long COVID patients and healthy controls, as well as in the...
Article
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Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disease and the world’s primary cause of dementia among the elderly population. The aggregation of toxic amyloid-beta (Aβ) is one of the main pathological hallmarks of the AD brain. Recently, neuroinflammation has been recognized as one of the major features of AD, which involves a network o...
Article
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SARS-CoV-2 infects cells via its spike (S) protein binding to its surface receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on target cells and results in acute symptoms involving especially the lungs known as COVID-19. However, increasing evidence indicates that SARS-CoV-2 infection produces neuroinflammation associated with neurological, neuropsych...
Article
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SARS-CoV-2 infects cells via its spike (S) protein binding to its surface receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and results in the production of multiple proinflammatory cytokines, especially in the lungs, leading to what is known as COVID-19. However, the cell source and the mechanism of secretion of such cytokines have not been adequate...
Preprint
Full-text available
SARS-CoV-2 infects cells via its spike (S) protein binding to its surface receptor Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) on target cells and results in acute symptoms involving especially the lungs known as COVID-19. However, increasing evidence indicates that SARS-CoV-2 infection produces neuroinflammation associated with neurological, neuropsych...
Article
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating disease that presents with fatigue, sleep disturbances, malaise, and cognitive problems. The pathogenesis of ME/CFS is presently unknown and serum levels of potential biomarkers have been inconsistent. Here we show that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) associated with serum exos...
Article
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Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-secreted, lipid membrane-enclosed nanoparticles without functional nucleus. EV is a general term that includes various subtypes of particles named microvesicles, microparticles, ectosomes or exosomes. EVs transfer RNA, DNA and protein cargo between proximal and distant cells and tissues, thus constituting an or...
Preprint
Full-text available
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating disease that presents with fatigue, sleep disturbances, malaise and cognitive problems. The pathogenesis of ME/CFS is presently unknown and serum levels of potential biomarkers have been inconsistent. Here we show that serum mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), associated with exos...
Article
Background and aim Pleural effusions (PE) are a common clinical entity resulting from pathologies that affect the pleural space such as congestive heart failure, malignancy and pneumonia. The osmolality of the pleural fluid has never been studied as well as the effects of its changes on the pleural membrane. The purpose of this study was to identif...
Article
Objective: The aim of this study was to compare IL-1β levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from healthy and periodontitis sites of IL-1B(3954)-Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) positive and IL-1B(3954)-SNP negative periodontitis subjects in association with their bacterial profiles. Background: Susceptibility to periodontitis has been as...
Preprint
Full-text available
Background: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating disease that presents with fatigue, sleep disturbances, malaise and cognitive problems. The pathogenesis of ME/CFS is presently unknown and serum levels of potential biomarkers have been inconsistent. Methods: Exosomes were purified from serum obtained from pa...
Article
Significance These findings indicate the important role of IL-38 in the inihibition of neurotensin-stimulated activation of microglia and the resulting release of proinflammatory molecules. Moreover, the reduced expression of IL-38 in the amygdala indicates that it may not be sufficient to prevent inflammation, and that its administration could ser...
Article
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an upper motor neuron disease with an unknown pathogenesis and no effective treatment. A recent study found that treatment of a mouse model of ALS (TgSOD1 mice) intraperitoneally with the mast-cell blocker disodium chromoglycate (cromolyn) had a small but significant effect on disease onset, improvement of neu...
Article
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Background This study was conducted to investigate whether high-tidal-volume mechanical ventilation is associated with increased lung inflammation compared with low-tidal-volume mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients with no evidence of lung injury. Methods In this prospective, single-blind, randomized (1:1), parallel-group study, 18 cr...
Article
Significance IL-37, an antiinflammatory cytokine, is increased along with the proinflammatory cytokine IL-18 and its receptor IL-18R in the amygdala and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). IL-37 inhibits neurotensin (NT)-stimulated secretion and gene expression of IL-1β and CXCL8 from cultured human micro...
Article
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This pilot study was undertaken to isolate and quantify substance P (SP) and hemokinin 1 (HK-1) in the nasal lavage fluid of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps to better elucidate the pathophysiology underlying this inflammatory process, which remains poorly understood. Mucus samples were collected from this introductory cohort...
Article
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MiR‐155p5 is a pro‐inflammatory microRNA reported to be involved in several neurol‐inflammatory diseases. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impaired social interactions and communication, as well as stereotypic movements. Inflammation of the brain due to activation of microglia has been reported in AS...
Article
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Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a disorder of chronic, generalized muscular pain, accompanied by sleep disturbances, fatigue and cognitive dysfunction. There is no definitive pathogenesis except for altered central pain pathways. We previously reported increased serum levels of the neuropeptides substance P (SP) and its structural analogue hemokinin...
Article
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Mast cells are unique immune cells involved in allergic reactions, but also in immunity and inflammation. Interleukin 37 (IL-37) has emerged as an important regulatory cytokine with ability to inhibit immune and inflammatory processes. IL-37 is made primarily by macrophages upon activation of toll-like receptors (TLR) leading to generation of matur...
Article
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition characterized by impaired communication and obsessive behavior that affects 1 in 59 children. ASD is expected to affect 1 in about 40 children by 2020, but there is still no distinct pathogenesis or effective treatments. Prenatal stress has been associated with higher risk of developing AS...
Article
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a dietary supplement containing primarily an extract of salmon's milt (semen) on symptoms and blood levels of proinflammatory molecules in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), a chronic, painful musculoskeletal disease without a distinct pathogenesis or treatment. We recently repo...
Article
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder affecting 1/3000 individuals worldwide. It results from germline mutations of the neurofibromin gene and it is fully penetrant by the age of 5. Neurofibromin is a 2818 amino acid protein that is produced in many cell types, but its levels are especially high in the nervous system.
Article
Introduction: An increasing number of patients present with multiple symptoms affecting many organs including the brain due to multiple mediators released by mast cells. These unique tissue immune cells are critical for allergic reactions triggered by IgE, but are also stimulated (not activated) by immune, drug, environmental, food, infectious, and...
Article
Background: Most neurodegenerative and other brain disorders, especially Myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continue to elude objective biomarkers and effective treatments. Increasing evidence indicates that such diseases involve focal inflammation of the brain. Objective: To review th...
Article
Psoriasis is characterized by keratinocyte proliferation and chronic inflammation, but the pathogenesis is still unclear. Dysregulated mitochondria (mt) could lead to reduced apoptosis and extracellular secretion of mtDNA, acting as “innate pathogen” triggering inflammation. Serum was obtained from healthy volunteers and psoriatic patients. Mitocho...
Article
Significance Mast cells are mandatory for allergic reactions and participate in inflammatory responses in which the peptide substance P (SP) and the cytokine IL-33 are involved. This report shows that SP administered together with IL-33 to cultured human mast cells causes a marked increase in the secretion and gene expression of IL-1β. These respon...
Article
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Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been associated with brain inflammation as indicated by the activation of microglia, but the triggers are not known. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted from many cells in the blood and other biological fluids and carry molecules that could influence the function of target cells. EVs have...
Article
Full-text available
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex disease characterized by debilitating fatigue, lasting for at least 6 months, with severe impairment of daily functioning and associated symptoms. A significant percentage of ME/CFS patients remains undiagnosed, mainly due to the complexity of the disease and the lack of relia...
Article
Purpose: The effects of air pollutants have been receiving increased attention both clinically and in the media. One such pollutant is mold, fungal growth in the form of multicellular filaments known as hyphae. The growth of molds is omnipresent not only in outdoor settings but also in indoor environments containing excessive amounts of moisture....
Article
Cachexia is a wasting condition associated with late stages of many chronic illnesses and may be present in up to 80% of patients with advanced cancers. Cachexia is a metabolic derangement resulting in a disturbance to the homeostasis of muscle breakdown and synthesis, favoring catabolism and muscle loss. Despite making strides in treating cancer i...
Article
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Background: Cytokine interleukin (IL) 31 has emerged as an important component of allergic and inflammatory diseases associated with pruritus, such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and mastocytosis. Mast cells (MC) are stimulated by allergic and nonallergic triggers, and play a critical role in such diseases by secreting histamine and tryptase as well as...
Chapter
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by deficits in sociability and communication, as well as severe anxiety and stereotypic movements. Moreover, over 50 % of children with ASD experience atopic symptoms indicative of mast cell (MC) activation (asthma, eczema, food allergies and/or intolerance) which correlate with the presence of brai...
Article
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Background The aim was to investigate whether the use of N-acetylcysteine and ascorbic acid reduce contrast-induced nephropathy incidence in critical care patients. Methods This was a one-center, two-arm, prospective, randomized, open-label, controlled trial in the Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital of Larissa, Greece. Patients with st...
Article
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease characterized by keratinocyte hyper-proliferation and chronic inflammation. The pathogenesis of psoriasis involves pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), but the mechanism of keratinocyte activation is not well understood. Here we show that TNF (10 or 50 ng/mL) stimulates significant...
Article
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As many as 40% of people have sensitive skin and at least half of them suffer from pruritus associated with allergies, atopic dermatitis (AD), chronic urticaria (CU), cutaneous mastocytosis (CM), and psoriasis. Unfortunately, the available topical formulations contain antihistamines that are often not as effective as those containing corticosteroid...
Article
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Significance Human microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, express only the neurotensin (NT) receptor-3/sortilin. NT significantly increases microglia synthesis and release of proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 8 (CXCL8), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), and CCL5 via NTR3/sortilin. A soluble form of t...
Article
Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in carcinogenesis. Serum levels of OPN, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were measured by ELISA in 90 lung cancer patients. OPN levels were elevated in patients compared to controls (p <.0001). Smokers, patients with worse performance status, a...
Article
Full-text available
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) affect as many as 1 in 45 children and are characterized by deficits in sociability and communication, as well as stereotypic movements. Many children also show severe anxiety. The lack of distinct pathogenesis and reliable biomarkers hampers the development of effective treatments. As a result, most children with A...
Article
Purpose: Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are extremely thin (50-200 nm), actin-containing cell surface protrusions up to a few microns in length that can develop rapidly and connect various cell types. Mast cells (MCs) are unique immunomodulatory cells that are found perivascularly in all tissues. MCs communicate with many other cell types through the...
Article
Objectives: Sestrin-2 (Sesn2) belongs to a family of highly conserved antioxidant proteins that were discovered as p53-inducible proteins and inhibits cell growth and proliferation. Our aim was to assess the levels of Sesn2 in malignant pleural effusions of lung cancer patients compared to benign pleural effusions. Design and methods: We enrolle...
Article
Full-text available
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a chronic, idiopathic condition of widespread musculoskeletal pain, affecting more women than men. Even though clinical and laboratory studies have provided evidence of altered central pain pathways, the lack of definitive pathogenesis or objective diagnostic markers has hampered development of effective treatments. H...
Article
Full-text available
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have been associated with brain inflammation as indicated by microglia activation, as well as brain expression and increased plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Here we report that serum levels of IL-6 and TNF were elevated (61.95±94.76 pg ml−1 and 313.8±444.3 pg ml−1, respectively...
Article
Full-text available
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a chronic, idiopathic condition of widespread musculoskeletal pain, affecting primarily women. It is clinically characterized by chronic, non-articular, pain and a heightened response to pressure along with sleep disturbances, fatigue, bowel and bladder abnormalities, as well as cognitive dysfunction. The diagnostic c...
Article
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Objectives: DJ-1 is a multifunctional protein implicated in redox dependent cell fate decisions. The aim of our study was to determine the pleural fluid (PF) levels of DJ-1 in malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) secondary to lung cancer. Additionally, we opted to assess potential correlations of DJ-1 PF levels with the PF levels of superoxide dismu...
Article
Background: Interleukin-27 (IL-27) has been proposed to be useful for diagnosing tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE). Adenosine deaminase (ADA) has been long used for the same purpose. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of IL-27, ADA, and their product (IL-27 • ADA) in the diagnosis of TPE. Methods: Pleural fluid samples from pa...
Article
Abstract The effects of Non-invasive Ventilation (NIV) on Insulin Resistance (IR) in stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients have not been fully explored. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of NIV on IR and adiponectin levels during one year application of NIV in stable COPD patients with Chronic Hypercapnic Respir...
Article
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Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by defects in communication and social interactions, as well as stereotypic behaviors. Symptoms typically worsen with anxiety and stress. ASD occur in early childhood, often present with regression and have a prevalence of 1 out of 68 children. The lack of distinct patho...
Article
Purposes: The purposes of this review were to discuss the role of exosomes in neurologic and psychiatric diseases and to propose future therapeutic approaches. Methods: PubMed was searched (2000-2014) using the terms exosomes, microvesicles, neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders, multivesicular bodies, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's di...
Article
Oxidative stress has a central role in the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The DJ-1 protein functions as a sensor of oxidative stress, acting both as a reactive oxygen species scavenger (ROS) and an antioxidative response regulator. The aim of our study is to determine the serum levels of DJ-1 in OSAS patients and assess...
Article
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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been associated with increased frequency of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Increased plasma TNF-α levels may mediate this association in adults, but conflicting results have been reported in children. We hypothesized that: (i) the higher the OSA severity in childhood, the higher the frequency of EDS and mornin...
Article
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Sarcoidosis and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) are both associated with deregulated inflammatory mechanisms partially triggered by aggravated oxidative stress. 8-isoprostane has been proposed as a reliable marker of oxidative stress, linked to several pulmonary diseases. We aimed to explore differences in 8-isoprostane le...
Article
e22202 Background: Cytokines are known to play an important role in carcinogenesis.The aim of this study is to measure pre-treatment concentrations of cytokines IL6, IL10, IL1β and IL8, in EBC and serum of lung cancer patients and to assess any possible association with clinicopathological variables and survival. Methods: From February 2010 to May...
Article
Objective: To assess the value of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) and -9 (MMP-9) as prognostic serum markers for intraperitoneal adhesions. Background: Postoperative adhesions are associated with serious complications responsible for increased patient's morbidity. Methods: Forty-eight rabbits were used and randomized into groups A, B, C, a...
Article
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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has been associated with abnormal vascular remodeling. Bone marrow derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are considered to possess lung tissue repair and vascular remodeling properties. The study aimed to assess early EPCs levels and EPCs endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in IP...
Article
Objectives: Assess whether age influences standard biochemical parameters used in the differential diagnosis of transudative and exudative pleural effusions. Design and methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from the database of our clinic from 225 patients with pleural effusions categorized based on their final diagnosis in 5 groups: transud...
Article
Purpose We aimed to investigate whether systemic oxidative stress is increased in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Methods A total of 18 patients with severe OSAS and 13 controls were included in the study. Inclusion criteria for OSAS patients were: snoring and apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) of >30 in full polysomnography, no prev...
Article
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties of the pleural mesothelial barrier and of the biological markers that facilitate or eliminate the passage of molecules through the pleura. Pleural fluid samples from sixty-five patients with heart failure were analyzed. The biological markers studied were lactate dehydrogenase (LD...
Article
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Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a component of extracellular matrix and may play a role in the pleural inflammation which is implicated in parapneumonic effusions.The aim of the current study was to investigate HA levels in serum and pleura in patients with parapneumonic effusions. We prospectively studied pleural and serum levels of HA in 58 patients with...
Article
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To assess serum amyloid alpha (SAA) pleural fluid levels in parapneumonic effusion (PPE) and to investigate SAA diagnostic performance in PPE diagnosis and outcome. We studied prospectively 57 consecutive patients with PPE (empyema (EMP), complicated (CPE), and uncomplicated parapneumonic effusion (UPE)). SAA, CRP, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels wer...
Article
The imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants is referred to as oxidative stress and has been associated with various respiratory disorders. The aim of this study was the assessment of 8-isoprostane (8-iso-PGF(2α)) and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) in exudative pleural effusions in order to examine the diagnostic accuracy of these marker...
Article
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the escalation of fibrosis and remodeling which are central to the subsequent progression of a parapneumonic pleural effusion to empyema. The aim of this study was the assessment of MMP-2, MMP-8 and MMP-9 in parapneumonic pleural effusions in order to examine their value in the differentiatio...
Article
Many patients with pneumonia develop pleural effusions. Pleural fluid vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels are known to be elevated in complicated parapneumonic effusion and seem to play a major role in the fibrotic process in the pleura. To test whether VEGF levels in pleural effusions of infectious origin correlate with the residual p...
Article
Acute exposure to cigarette smoke is related to airway and systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. Little is known about the acute effect of cigarette smoking in smoking asthmatics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effect of smoking in airway and systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in normal smokers and patients with prope...
Article
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The aim of this study was to determine the impact of HRCT-confirmed emphysema on biomarkers evaluating airway and systemic inflammation in COPD patients. Forty-nine consecutive male COPD outpatients with stable COPD were divided in two groups according to the presence or absence of emphysema on HRCT. Patients underwent pulmonary function tests, plu...
Article
Adenotonsillar tissue of children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has increased content of cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) and expression of CysLTs receptors. Furthermore, CysLTs concentrations in the nasal exhaled breath condensate of children with sleep apnea are elevated. To investigate the relationship between urine levels of...
Article
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-endopeptidases responsible for degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components including basement membrane collagen, interstitial collagen, fibronectin, and various proteoglycans, during normal remodeling and repair processes. The turnover and remodeling of ECM must be tightly regulated since exces...
Article
Acute-phase markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), have been studied in inflammatory and malignant disorders. We examined the diagnostic value of these markers for the differentiation among parapneumonic, tuberculous and malignant effusions. We studied 124 patients with pleural e...

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I've been searching the literature a lot. Can any experts offer an opinion? Thanks!
Irene

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