Impact of hyper- and hypothermia on cellular and whole-body physiology.

The incidence of heat-related illnesses and heatstroke continues to rise amidst global warming. Hyperthermia triggers inflammation, coagulation, and progressive multiorgan dysfunction, and, at levels above 40 °C, can even lead to cell death. Blood cells, particularly granulocytes and platelets, are highly sensitive to heat, which promotes proinflammatory and procoagulant changes.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major cause of thromboinflammation and inflammatory cell death in critical illnesses.

Background: Mitochondria generate the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) necessary for eukaryotic cells, serving as their primary energy suppliers, and contribute to host defense by producing reactive oxygen species. In many critical illnesses, including sepsis, major trauma, and heatstroke, the vicious cycle between activated coagulation and inflammation results in tissue hypoxia-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired mitochondrial function contributes to thromboinflammation and cell death.

Methods: A computer-based online search was performed using the PubMed and Web of Science databases for published articles concerning sepsis, trauma, critical illnesses, cell death, mitochondria, inflammation, coagulopathy, and organ dysfunction.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange for Fibrinogen-Associated Hyperviscosity: Results of the COPLEX Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is the primary intervention for treating symptomatic hyperviscosity from hypergammaglobulinemia, yet its efficacy for treating hyperviscosity related to hyperfibrinogenemia is unclear.

Objective: Define the safety and efficacy of TPE for critically ill COVID-19 patients with elevated blood viscosity from hyperfibrinogenemia.

Method: A prospective, randomized controlled trial in critically ill COVID-19 patients at a single US healthcare system.

SARS-CoV-2 immune responses in patients with multiple myeloma and lenalidomide maintenance therapy.

Introduction: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an uncontrolled plasma cell proliferation in the bone marrow, leading to immune dysregulation with impaired humoral immune responses. Conversely, cellular-based responses play a vital role in MM patients. However, the extent and duration of cellular-induced protection remain unclear to date.