A new perspective on therapies involving B-cell depletion in autoimmune diseases.

It has been rediscovered in the last fifteen years that B-cells play an active role in autoimmune etiology rather than just being spectators. The clinical success of B-cell depletion therapies (BCDTs) has contributed to this. BCDTs, including those that target CD20, CD19, and BAFF, were first developed to eradicate malignant B-cells.

A chemometric approach based on response surface methodology for optimization of antibiotic and organic dyes removal from water samples.

In this study, the FeO/rGO/Ag magnetic nanocomposite was synthesized and employed as an adsorbent for the removal of tetracycline (TC), crystal violet (CV), and methylene blue (MB) from water samples. The influential parameters in the removal process were identified and optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Characterization of the product was performed through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis.

A Comprehensive Survey of COVID-19 Detection Using Medical Images.

The outbreak of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused the death of a large number of people and declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Millions of people are infected by this virus and are still getting infected every day. As the cost and required time of conventional Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests to detect COVID-19 is uneconomical and excessive, researchers are trying to use medical images such as X-ray and Computed Tomography (CT) images to detect this disease with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based systems, to assist in automating the scanning procedure.

ATF3 expression in cardiomyocytes and myofibroblasts following transverse aortic constriction displays distinct phenotypes.

Background: Activating transcription 3 (ATF3) is a member of the basic leucine zipper family of transcription factors. ATF3 is an immediate early gene expressed following various cellular stresses. ATF3 acts through binding to cyclic AMP response elements found in the promoters of key regulatory proteins that determine cell fate.

Factors Diminishing Cytoadhesion of Red Blood Cells Infected by Plasmodium falciparum in Arterioles.

Cytoadhesion of red blood cells infected by Plasmodium falciparum (Pf-IRBCs) is predominantly found in postcapillary venules, rather than in arterioles. However, factors influencing this phenomenon remain unclear. Here, we conduct a systematic study using a numerical model coupling the fluid and solid mechanics of the cells and cellular environment with the biochemical ligand-receptor interaction.

Biochemical and biological characterization of a dermonecrotic metalloproteinase isolated from Cerastes cerastes snake venom.

A dermonecrotic metalloproteinase (CcD-II) was isolated from C. cerastes venom. Venom fractionation was performed using three chromatographic steps (molecular exclusion on Sephadex G-75, ion-exchange on DEAE-Sephadex A-50, and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on C8 column).

Reduced risk trajectory planning in image-guided keyhole neurosurgery.

Purpose: The authors present and evaluate a new preoperative planning method and computer software designed to reduce the risk of candidate trajectories for straight rigid tool insertion in image-guided keyhole neurosurgery.

Methods: Trajectories are computed based on the surgeon-defined target and a candidate entry point area on the outer head surface on preoperative CT/MRI scans. A multiparameter risk card provides an estimate of the risk of each trajectory according to its proximity to critical brain structures.

Altered dendritic cells with tolerizing phenotype in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Earlier we showed the generation of tolerizing human monocyte-derived DC following interaction with iC3b-opsonized apoptotic cells. In this study we examine the generation of DC with our previously described tolerogenic phenotype in patients with the systemic autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Monocyte-derived DC were generated in 71 SLE patients, characterized, and then tested for clearance of iC3b-opsonized 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl-indocarbocyanineperchlorate-stained apoptotic cells using flow cytometry, and for autologous T-cell activation using autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR), at the same time as controls.

Acute otitis media in the first two months of life: characteristics and diagnostic difficulties.

Objective: To assess the clinical and laboratory features of acute otitis media (AOM) in infants younger than 2 months, to look for factors predicting bacterial otitis, and to evaluate the accuracy of AOM diagnosis among paediatricians.

Methods: The study population comprised a cohort of 277 hospitalised infants up to 61 days old that were treated for the first episode of AOM in a paediatric department. We reviewed their medical records and analysed the demographic, clinical and laboratory data, and the diagnosis made by both paediatricians and otolaryngologists.

Sludge ball, pseudolithiasis, cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis from intrauterine life to 2 years: a 13-year follow-up.

Objective: Evaluation and follow-up of infants with cholelithiasis and pseudolithiasis in a pediatric ward.

Patients & Methods: Prospective study from April 1990 to October 2003 identified hospitalized infants younger than 2 years with ultrasonographic findings of cholelithiasis, choledocholithiasis or pseudolithiasis. Associated abnormalities or contributory factors were recorded and patients were followed for from 6 months to 13 years (mean, 4 years).

The clinical course of bronchiolitis associated with acute otitis media.

Background: Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common bacterial co-infection of viral bronchiolitis.

Aims: To evaluate the influence of AOM on the clinical course of bronchiolitis.

Subjects: 150 children younger than 24 months old, diagnosed with bronchiolitis, hospitalised between December 1997 and May 1999.

[Meningitis due to Streptococcus bovis type II].

Meningitis due to Streptococcus bovis is rare. Only 14 cases having been reported in the English literature. All patients (including the patient described) had an underlying disease or were treated by pharmacological agents that predisposed the patient to the infection.

[Successful single-lung transplantation in emphysema].

Lung transplantation is now considered acceptable therapy for end-stage lung disease. Until recently therapy for emphysema was disappointing, but lung transplantation has brought new hope for those terminally ill with the disease. We present our early experience with single-lung transplantation in 5 men and 1 woman with emphysema, 40-61 years old.

In vitro fertilization for women with pure tubal occlusion: the impact of short gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a short GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) protocol on follicular and luteal characteristics and treatment outcome in women undergoing IVF for isolated pure tubal occlusion.

Design: A prospective randomized study.

Patients: Eighty patients with pure tubal occlusion undergoing IVF for the first time.