LentiGlobin Administration to Sickle Cell Disease Patients: Effect on Serum Markers and Vaso-Occlusive Crisis.

LentiGlobin, an innovative gene therapy, introduces a modified beta-globin gene that yields an anti-sickling hemoglobin variant. It boosts total hemoglobin levels, mitigates hemolysis, curtails inflammation, and addresses iron overload by reducing transfusion requirements. These changes, in turn, provide insights into disease mechanisms and treatment outcomes.

Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in the Presence of a Urinary Tract Infection: A Rare Pediatric Case.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a type of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia that rarely presents in the pediatric population. This life-threatening disorder manifests as severe consumptive thrombocytopenia and disseminated micro-thromboemboli, leading to organ ischemia. Here, we present a case of an acute first-time episode of acquired TTP in a 17-year-old African American female with a past medical history of obesity, recurrent urinary tract infections, and dysfunctional uterine bleeding managed with oral contraceptives.

Anchoring on Hyperglycemia and Sepsis in the Presence of an Unforeseen Thyroid Storm.

Thyroid storm (TS) is a relatively rare but life-threatening complication of an overactive thyroid that can manifest in a myriad of ways due to its multisystem involvement. Due to its relatively high mortality rate, it is essential that TS is recognized and treated promptly. TS can occur due to trauma, drugs, and sepsis.

Severe COVID-19 Infection in an Infant With 8p Inverted Duplication/Deletion Syndrome: Is Vaccination Still a Debate?

Despite having a milder course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in comparison to adults, children are at risk for more significant complications, including acute neurological, renal, respiratory, and cardiovascular complications. Acute complications can manifest as encephalopathy, renal injury, interstitial pneumonia, and heart failure. However, the most severe complication is multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, which often requires intensive care to manage the subsequent respiratory failure.

Anticoagulation Options for Cranial Procedures: A Comparative Review of Aspirin, Plavix, and Aggrastat.

Anticoagulation therapy is critical to avoiding thrombotic events in patients following cranial surgery. Although Aspirin, Plavix, and Aggrastat are used as anticoagulants for this purpose, there is no consensus on which agent is the most effective and safe. In this comparative study, we analyze the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of these three anticoagulants in the context of cranial surgeries.

A Novel Do-It-Yourself Approach to Simulating Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery.

In 2008, the American Board of Surgery required residents to pass a laparoscopic fundamentals examination to sit for the boards. As such, minimally invasive surgery became the newest addition as a requisite skill for surgical trainees. To assist in preparing trainees for future surgery, simulation devices have been integrated into training programs to develop proficiency with laparoscopic and arthroscopic techniques.

Recent Advancements in Epidural Etanercept for Pain Management in Radiculopathy: A Literature Review.

The most common etiology of low back and neck pain is associated with spinal cord pathologies. Regardless of origin, low back and neck pain are some of the most common causes of disability worldwide. Mechanical compression due to spinal cord diseases, such as degenerative disc disorders, can lead to radiculopathy, which manifests as numbness or tingling and can progress to loss of muscle function.

The Potential Role of Etanercept in the Management of Post-stroke Pain: A Literature Review.

Strokes are the second leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The brain injury resulting from stroke produces a persistent neuroinflammatory response in the brain, resulting in a spectrum of neurologic dysfunction affecting stroke survivors chronically, also known as post-stroke pain. Excess production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of stroke survivors has been implicated in post-stroke pain.

A Scoping Review of the Impact of COVID-19 on Kidney Transplant Patients in the United States.

SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, is a highly infectious virus that quickly became and continues to be a public health emergency, given the severe international implications. Immunocompromised patients, such as those undergoing kidney transplantation, are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and require hospitalization for more aggressive treatment to ensure survival. COVID-19 has been infecting kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), affecting their treatment protocols, and threatening their survival.

Ethical Perspectives of Therapeutic Human Genome Editing From Multiple and Diverse Viewpoints: A Scoping Review.

Human genome editing has been increasingly explored to determine if it can be used to eradicate genetic diseases like sickle cell disease, but it has also been surrounded by a wide variety of ethical dilemmas. The purpose of this review was to conduct a scoping review of the ethics of therapeutic human genome editing in terms of philosophy, theology, public perspectives, and research ethics. A systemized search of PubMed, Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, and Web of Science was conducted.

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment and the Management of Headaches: A Scoping Review.

Headaches have been studied and treated since nearly 7,000 BC because of their significant global impact. Current headache treatment modalities are various and have a wide variety of targets, but medications are the most common. Since conventional medical treatments have several side effects, alternative remedies such as osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) should be considered.

COVID-19 Misinformation on Social Media: A Scoping Review.

Social media allows for easy access and sharing of information in real-time. Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, social media has been used as a tool for public health officials to spread valuable information. However, many Internet users have also used it to spread misinformation, commonly referred to as "fake news.