Role of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory B cells promoting immune protection after booster vaccination in solid organ transplantation.

Introduction: Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients display weak seroconversion and neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination and remain at risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While B-cell memory is the hallmark of serological immunity, its role in driving successful vaccine responses and providing immune protection in SOT patients remains unclear.

Methods: We investigated the function and interplay of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory B cells (mBc), different cytokineproducing T cells, and cross-reactive NAb in driving seroconversion and protection against COVID-19 in two cohorts.

Expression of Rejection-Associated Transcripts in Early Protocol Renal Transplant Biopsies Is Associated with Tacrolimus Exposure and Graft Outcome.

Subclinical inflammation in protocol biopsies relates to tacrolimus exposure and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching. We aimed to characterize transcripts associated with rejection and tacrolimus exposure and the latter's association with transplant outcomes. We tested whether gene expression is associated with rejection using strictly normal protocol biopsies (n = 17) and biopsies with T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) or antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) according to Banff criteria (n = 12).

Did our cochlear implant program make any difference in the lives of our patients? Achievements of 30 patients with long term follow-up averaging 20 years after cochlear implantation.

Background: Cochlear implants are standard of care for the patients with sensorineural hearing loss not benefited from hearing aids.

Aims: Evaluate qualitatively the impact of cochlear implantation in the long-term.

Materials-methods: Thirty middle-class patients with similar patterns of loss and social environment averaging 20 years post-implantation responded to 52 questions that evaluated psychosocial benefits from cochlear implantation.

How to measure human leukocyte antigen-specific B cells.

Purpose Of Review: The implementation of highly sensitive immune assays measuring anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies has modified alloimmune risk stratification and diagnosis of rejection. Nonetheless, anti-HLA antibodies represent the downstream effector mechanism of the B-cell response. Better characterizing the cellular components of the humoral immune response (including memory B cells (mBCs) and long-lived plasma cells) could help to further stratify the alloimmune risk stratification and enable discovery of new therapeutic targets.

A global public health convention for the 21st century.

As shown by COVID-19, infectious diseases with a pandemic potential present a grave threat to health and wellbeing. Although the International Health Regulations provide a framework of binding legal obligations for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, many countries do not comply with these regulations. There is a need for a renewed framework for global collective action that ensures conformity with international regulations and promotes effective prevention and response to pandemic infectious diseases.

[Imaging approach to acute aortic syndrome].

Acute aortic syndromes include a spectrum of life-threatening aortic conditions. A review of the diagnostic aspects of the acute aortic syndrome was made, from the perspective of the imaging techniques available for this purpose. The advantages and disadvantages of each technique and its diagnostic performance were evaluated.

Fast-Track Cities: striving to end urban HIV epidemics by 2030.

Purpose Of Review: To provide a summary of progress achieved, lessons learned, and best practices employed in select Fast-Track Cities striving to attain and surpass the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 targets.

Recent Findings: The 90-90-90 targets have served as a catalyst to galvanize political, programmatic, and funding support for urban HIV responses, while prompting increased community engagement. More than 300 cities and municipalities have joined the Fast-Track Cities network, pledging to attain and surpass the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets.

Pattern, Determinants, and Impact of HIV Spending on Care and Treatment in 38 High-Burden Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Unlabelled: : Achieving the 90-90-90 targets by 2020 requires increased focus, resources, and efficiency to provide earlier access to antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods: We used 2009 to 2013 National AIDS Spending Assessment data to assess HIV care and treatment spending in 38 high-burden, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Results: In 2013, 23 of the 38 high-burden countries spent less than 50% of total HIV spending on care and treatment.

[Treatment of a severe Clostridium difficile infection with colonic lavages. Report of one case].

A loop ileostomy with intraoperative anterograde colonic lavage has been described as an alternative to colectomy in the management of cases of Clostridium difficile infection refractory to medical treatment. We report a 69 years old diabetic women admitted with a septic shock. An abdominal CAT scan showed a pan-colitis that seemed to be infectious.

Trends in AIDS Deaths, New Infections and ART Coverage in the Top 30 Countries with the Highest AIDS Mortality Burden; 1990-2013.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression, mortality and transmission. We assess the impact of expanded HIV treatment for the prevention of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)-related deaths and simulate four treatment scenarios for Nigeria and South Africa.

Methods: For 1990-2013, we used the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) database to examine trends in AIDS deaths, HIV incidence and prevalence, ART coverage, annual AIDS death rate, AIDS death-to-treatment and HIV infections to treatment ratios for the top 30 countries with the highest AIDS mortality burden and compare them with data from high-income countries.

HIV provider-patient communication regarding cardiovascular risk: results from the AIDS Treatment for Life International Survey.

Design: Few global studies have assessed HIV clinician-patient communication regarding cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks.

Methods: We conducted a multicountry, comparative, cross-sectional survey of HIV-infected individuals in 12 countries on 5 continents in 2010, with 100 to 200 enrollees per country. HIV-infected adults >17 years and on antiretroviral therapy were recruited in clinics and community organizations and surveyed via direct interview, telephone encounter, or online.

[Giant Meckel's diverticulum in an adult].

Meckel's diverticulum results from a partial persistence of the omphalomesenteric duct and is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, affecting about 2% of the general population. Its presentation as a giant Meckel's diverticulum (>5 cm) is rare and is associated with major complications. We report a case of a 53 year-old woman with constipation for at least ten years.

Leveraging HIV treatment to end AIDS, stop new HIV infections, and avoid the cost of inaction.

We have the tools at our disposal to significantly bend AIDS-related morbidity and mortality curves and reduce human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence. It is thus essential to redouble our efforts to reach the goal of placing 15 million people on life-saving and -enhancing antiretroviral therapy (ART) by 2015. In reaching this milestone, we can write a new chapter in the history of global health, demonstrating that a robust, multidimensional response can succeed against a complex pandemic that presents as many social and political challenges as it does medical ones.

Controlling the HIV epidemic with antiretrovirals: moving from consensus to implementation.

The second Controlling the HIV With Antiretrovirals evidence summit was held 22-24 September 2013, in London, England. This preface summarizes the summit's background and key themes, and is an introduction to a series of articles written by select summit faculty and featured in this supplement. In many respects, the supplement can serve as a roadmap for how to move from general consensus around to wider scale implementation of a comprehensive menu of interventions to control the HIV epidemic.

HIV provider-patient communication regarding cardiovascular risk: results from the AIDS Treatment for Life International Survey.

Design: Few global studies have assessed HIV clinician-patient communication regarding cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks.

Methods: We conducted a multicountry, comparative, cross-sectional survey of HIV-infected individuals in 12 countries on 5 continents in 2010, with 100 to 200 enrollees per country. HIV-infected adults >17 years and on antiretroviral therapy were recruited in clinics and community organizations and surveyed via direct interview, telephone encounter, or online.