ORCID Profile
0000-0002-1719-2139
Current Organisation
National University of Singapore
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Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 20-02-2021
Abstract: Collecting real-world evidence via ‘at home’ assessments in ambulatory patients or healthy volunteers is becoming increasingly important, both for research purposes and in clinical practice. However, given the mobile technology that is frequently used for these assessments, concise assessments are preferred. The current study compared single-item ratings with multiple-item subscale scores of the same construct, by calculating the corresponding Bland and Altman 95% limits of agreement interval. The analysis showed that single-item ratings are usually in good agreement with assessments of their corresponding subscale. In the case of more complex multimodal constructs, single-item assessments were much less often in agreement with multiple-item questionnaire outcomes. The use of single-item assessments is advocated as they more often incorporate assessments of all aspects of a certain construct (including the presence, severity, and impact of the construct under investigation) compared to composite symptom scores.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 26-06-2014
Publisher: The American Association of Immunologists
Date: 04-2013
Abstract: Human mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a T cell population characterized by the expression of a semi-invariant TCR capable of recognizing bacterial products in the context of MR1. MAIT cells are enriched in the human liver, which is constantly exposed to bacterial products from the intestine. Whether this specific parenchymal localization influences their function remains unknown. We analyzed MAIT cells resident in the vascular bed of livers and showed that they represented the majority of T cells expressing NK markers and the dominant IL-17A+ T cell subset in the human liver sinusoids. In comparison with MAIT cells purified from peripheral blood, intrasinusoidal MAIT cells expressed markers of T cell activation however, TCR-mediated cytokine production was equally suppressed in both circulating and intrasinusoidal MAIT cells. MAIT cells also expressed high levels of IL-7R, and we showed that IL-7, a cytokine produced by hepatocytes during inflammation, regulated TCR-mediated activation of MAIT cells, licensing them to dramatically increase Th1 cytokines and IL-17A production. Our quantitative and functional data indicate that MAIT cells are a specialized cell population highly adapted to exert their immune functions in the vascular network of the liver.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-05-2023
DOI: 10.1007/S11357-023-00813-6
Abstract: Targeting molecular processes of aging will enable people to live healthier and longer lives by preventing age-related diseases. Geroprotectors are compounds with the potential to increase healthspan and lifespan. Even though many of them have been tested in animal models, the translation to humans is limited. Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AKG) has been studied widely in model animals, but there are few studies testing its geroprotective properties in humans. ABLE is a double blinded placebo-controlled randomized trial (RCT) of 1 g sustained release Ca-AKG versus placebo for 6 months of intervention and 3 months follow up including 120 40–60-year-old healthy in iduals with a higher DNA methylation age compared to their chronological age. The primary outcome is the decrease in DNA methylation age from baseline to the end of the intervention. A total of 120 participants will be randomized to receive either sustained release Ca-AKG or placebo. Secondary outcomes include changes in the inflammatory and metabolic parameters in blood, handgrip strength and leg extension strength, arterial stiffness, skin autofluorescence, and aerobic capacity from baseline to 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months. This study will recruit middle-aged participants with an older DNA methylation age compared to their chronological age, and test whether supplementation with Ca-AKG can reduce DNA methylation age. This study is unique in its inclusion of biologically older participants.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2012
DOI: 10.1053/J.GASTRO.2012.06.009
Abstract: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection acquired perinatally or in early childhood has been associated with a prolonged phase of immune tolerance from viral exposure into early adulthood. The immune-tolerant phase of the disease is characterized by high levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and normal liver biochemistry, with minimal or no fibrosis. We investigated whether the age of patients with CHB affects their antiviral immunity and whether children and young adults have a veritable state of immunologic tolerance. We isolated T cells from different age groups of patients with CHB and used flow cytometric methods to measure production of effector and inflammatory cytokines (interferon, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin [IL]-17A, IL-22, and IL-8), T-helper (Th)2 cytokines (IL-10, IL-4), Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and IL-21), and the CC chemokine CCL3 (MIP-1). We also measured markers of T-cell exhaustion or inhibition (PD-1, LAG-3, TIM3, LAIR-1, and CTLA-4) and HBV-specific T cells. Young patients with CHB have a Th1-cell cytokine profile and a partial profile of T-cell exhaustion. Direct quantification of the HBV-specific T-cell response showed that young patients with CHB have more HBV-specific T cells with the ability to proliferate and produce cytokines than adult patients with CHB. HBV infection in younger patients is not associated with an immune profile of T-cell tolerance. On the contrary, children and young adults with chronic HBV infection have an HBV-specific immune profile that is less compromised than that observed in older patients.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 14-01-2019
DOI: 10.1155/2019/3687416
Abstract: Background . Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) and salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) have been proposed as biomarkers for research on the mucosal immune system and on stress. Expression of both sAA and sIgA has been described to follow opposing diurnal patterns. This knowledge is crucial for the interpretation of studies using these biomarkers. Aim . It was hypothesized that sAA and sIgA display diurnal patterns in children and that this is independent of food intake or demographic factors. Methods . Whole saliva was collected from 78 healthy children (15-39 months old) in the morning and evening for two random nonconsecutive days. The s les have been analysed for sAA and sIgA. The total daily energy, fat, saturated fat, protein, carbohydrate and fibre, mineral, and vitamin consumption were analysed based on the two-day weighed food records collected by the parents. Results . It was demonstrated that most young children followed the diurnal pattern when sAA increased and sIgA decreased from morning to evening. No correlation was observed between the intake of any of the nutrients and morning or evening values for both salivary proteins. The morning and evening values of sAA and sIgA did not correlate with age, sex, Asian ethnicity, and BMI of the children. Conclusion . Diurnal patterns of sAA and sIgA exist in healthy young children and are not affected by their nutrient intake, sex, Asian ethnicity, and BMI. Scientists including sIgA and sAA in their research must consider the diurnal pattern that these markers exhibit and design the study accordingly.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 2014
DOI: 10.1155/2014/249784
Abstract: Food allergy is an aberrant immune-mediated reaction against harmless food substances, such as cow’s milk proteins. Due to its very early introduction, cow’s milk allergy is one of the earliest and most common food allergies. For this reason cow’s milk allergy can be recognized as one of the first indications of an aberrant inflammatory response in early life. Classically, cow’s milk allergy, as is true for most other allergies as well, is primarily associated with abnormal humoral immune responses, that is, elevation of specific immunoglobulin E levels. There is growing evidence indicating that cellular components of both innate and adaptive immunity play significant roles during the pathogenesis of cow’s milk allergy. This is true for the initiation of the allergic phenotype (stimulation and skewing towards sensitization), development and outgrowth of the allergic disease. This review discusses findings pertaining to roles of cellular immunity in allergic inflammation, and tolerance induction against cow’s milk proteins. In addition, a possible interaction between immune mechanisms underlying cow’s milk allergy and other types of inflammation (infections and noncommunicable diseases) is discussed.
No related grants have been discovered for Elena Sandalova.