A factor analysis of associations among self-reported immune related symptoms in a large twin sample

Twin Research ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-77
Author(s):  
David L Duffy ◽  
Diana Battistutta ◽  
John D Mathews ◽  
Nicholas G Martin

AbstractWe examined the cumulative prevalences of 22 symptoms thought to reflect immune system function reported in a questionnaire mailed to 7616 Australian twins. The associations between symptoms and demographic variables were expressed in terms of polychoric or polyserial correlations, and a principal components analysis performed. Factors representing underlying propensities respectively to allergic disease, various minor infections, diseases associated with aging such as arthritis, skin disease, and respiratory tract infection were extracted. Possible processes underlying these symptom clusters and the relative strengths and weaknesses of this type of analysis are discussed.

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 118
Author(s):  
Anna Skarpańska-Stejnborn ◽  
Mirosława Cieślicka ◽  
Hanna Dziewiecka ◽  
Sławomir Kujawski ◽  
Anita Marcinkiewicz ◽  
...  

An intensive physical exercise program could lead to a decrease in immune system function. Effects of long-term supplementation of bovine colostrum on the response of immune function on physical exercise test in athletes were examined. Twenty-seven elite female basketball players (age 16–19) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. Eventually, n = 11 athletes completed intervention in the experimental group (3.2 g bovine colostrum orally twice a day for 24 weeks), while n = 9 athletes in the control group were given a placebo. Before the supplementation, after 3 and 6 months, subjects performed the physical exercise stress test. Before, just after, and 3 h after physical exercise testing, blood was drawn and immune system indicators were examined. Plasma interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-2, IL-10, IL-13, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, creatine kinase (CK MM), immunoglobulin G (IgG), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and WBC, lymphocyte (LYM), monocyte (MON), and granulocyte (GRA) were measured. A statistically significant change in IL-10 in response to the exercise program during the supplementation period in both groups was observed (p = 0.01). However, the results of the rest of the comparisons were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Contrary to our initial hypothesis, there were no significant effects of bovine supplementation on the dynamics of immune system function indicators.


Cancer ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 539-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian S. Fairey ◽  
Kerry S. Courneya ◽  
Catherine J. Field ◽  
John R. Mackey

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea McConico ◽  
Kim Butters ◽  
Karen Lien ◽  
Bruce Knudsen ◽  
Xiaosheng Wu ◽  
...  

Trafficking of cells between mother and fetus during the course of normal pregnancy is well documented. Similarly, cells are known to travel between twins that share either a placenta (i.e. monozygotic) or associated chorion (i.e. monochorionic). Transferred cells are thought to be channelled via the vessels of the placenta or vascular connections established via the chorion and the long-term presence of these cells (i.e. microchimerism) can have important consequences for immune system function and reparative capacity of the host. Whether cells can be transferred between twins with separate placentas and separate chorions (i.e. no vascular connections between placentas) has not been investigated nor have the biological consequences of such a transfer. In the present study, we tested the possibility of this type of cell transfer by injecting human cord blood-derived cells into a portion of the littermates of swine and probing for human cells in the blood and tissues of unmanipulated littermates. Human cells were detected in the blood of 78% of unmanipulated littermates. Human cells were also detected in various tissues of the unmanipulated littermates, including kidney (56%), spleen (33%), thymus (11%) and heart (22%). Human cells were maintained in the blood until the piglets were sacrificed (8 months after birth), suggesting the establishment of long-term microchimerism. Our findings show that the transfer of cells between fetuses with separate placentas and separate chorions is significant and thus such twins may be subject to the same consequences of microchimerism as monozygotic or monochorionic counterparts.


2009 ◽  
Vol 183 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan H. Esensten ◽  
Michael R. Lee ◽  
Laurie H. Glimcher ◽  
Jeffrey A. Bluestone

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krista Salli ◽  
Markus J. Lehtinen ◽  
Kirsti Tiihonen ◽  
Arthur C. Ouwehand

Xylitol has been widely documented to have dental health benefits, such as reducing the risk for dental caries. Here we report on other health benefits that have been investigated for xylitol. In skin, xylitol has been reported to improve barrier function and suppress the growth of potential skin pathogens. As a non-digestible carbohydrate, xylitol enters the colon where it is fermented by members of the colonic microbiota; species of the genus Anaerostipes have been reported to ferment xylitol and produce butyrate. The most common Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species do not appear to be able to grow on xylitol. The non-digestible but fermentable nature of xylitol also contributes to a constipation relieving effect and improved bone mineral density. Xylitol also modulates the immune system, which, together with its antimicrobial activity contribute to a reduced respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, and otitis media risk. As a low caloric sweetener, xylitol may contribute to weight management. It has been suggested that xylitol also increases satiety, but these results are not convincing yet. The benefit of xylitol on metabolic health, in addition to the benefit of the mere replacement of sucrose, remains to be determined in humans. Additional health benefits of xylitol have thus been reported and indicate further opportunities but need to be confirmed in human studies.


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