Cryptococcal Pneumonia in Multiple Myeloma: A Case Report.

Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) often experience infections due to aberrant immunoglobulin production by malignant plasma cells and immunosuppressive therapeutic interventions that are used to treat the condition. A rare but serious infection that may occur in these patients is Cryptococcus, an encapsulated fungus that typically infects immunocompromised individuals. Cryptococcus infections often present as pneumonia but can disseminate to the central nervous system, potentially causing meningitis.

Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Cancer Treatment Referrals in Patients Living with HIV in the United States: A Narrative Review.

Introduction: This narrative review aims to identify and explore the social determinants that prevent people living with HIV (PWH) from accessing specialized cancer centers in the United States and compare to patient experiences in other countries.

Methods: The review includes randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, qualitative studies, case series, and non-peer reviewed articles. The risk of bias was assessed using standardized tools, and data were synthesized narratively due to the heterogeneity of study designs and outcomes.

iPLA2-VIA is required for healthy aging of neurons, muscle, and the female germline in Drosophila melanogaster.

Neurodegenerative disease (ND) is a growing health burden worldwide, but its causes and treatments remain elusive. Although most cases of ND are sporadic, rare familial cases have been attributed to single genes, which can be investigated in animal models. We have generated a new mutation in the calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) VIA gene CG6718, the Drosophila melanogaster ortholog of human PLA2G6/PARK14, mutations in which cause a suite of NDs collectively called PLA2G6-associated neurodegeneration (PLAN).

Initial Findings From the North American COVID-19 Myocardial Infarction Registry.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted many aspects of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) care, including timely access to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

Objectives: The goal of the NACMI (North American COVID-19 and STEMI) registry is to describe demographic characteristics, management strategies, and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with STEMI.

Methods: A prospective, ongoing observational registry was created under the guidance of 3 cardiology societies.

Will Mary Jane Leave You Heartbroken? Marijuana Use and Risk of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is prevalent in 2% of patients who present with symptoms suggestive of acute myocardial infarction. It may be triggered by stressful events, resulting in catecholamine surges, myocardial stunning, and disturbances in contractility. TTC in males has been associated with marijuana use and leads to a fivefold increased risk of cardiac events.