Coexistence of sickle cell disease and systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with quantitative and qualitative impairments in circulating regulatory B cells.

The incidence of connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), in adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), appears to be increasing. The exact causes underlying this increased risk are still unknown, but a link with B regulatory (Breg) cells is possible as these cells suppress inflammatory responses, and maintain tolerance. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of circulating Breg cells were performed in a cohort of SCD patients with SLE, and their levels were correlated with key soluble mediators promoting autoreactive B cells.

Impact of extra-corporeal life support (ECLS) cannulation strategy on outcome after durable mechanical circulation support system implantation on behalf of durable MCS after ECLS Study Group.

Background: The literature on outcomes of patients requiring durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) after extra-corporeal life support (ECLS) is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of preoperative ECLS cannulation on postoperative outcome after durable MCS implantation.

Methods: The durable MCS after ECLS registry is a multicenter retrospective study that gathered data on consecutive patients who underwent durable MCS implantation after ECLS between January 2010 and August 2018 in eleven high volume European centers.

Minimally invasive ventricular assist device implantation.

Durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) systems are established therapy option in patients with end-stage heart failure, with increasing importance during the last years due to donor organ shortage. Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are traditionally implanted through median sternotomy (MS). However, improvement in the pump designs during the last years led to evolvement of new surgical approaches that aim to reduce the invasiveness of the procedure.

Acrodermatitis Enteropathica: A Case Report.

Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a rare autosomal recessive disease caused by a genetic mutation leading to zinc deficiency. Clinical manifestation includes skin lesions, diarrhea, and alopecia. We report the case of a two-month-old girl, admitted with erythematous scaly lesions in the neck and vesiculopustular lesions in the perioral region, associated with alopecia and diarrhea.

Methylphenidate improves executive functions in patients with traumatic brain injuries: a feasibility trial via the idiographic approach.

Background: Road traffic accidents are known to be the main cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is also a leading cause of death and disability. This study, by means of the idiographic approach (single-case experimental designs using multiple-baseline designs), has examined whether methylphenidate (MPH - trade name Ritalin) had a differential effect on cognitive measures among patients with TBI with the sequel of acute and chronic post-concussion syndromes.