Systems Immunology Approaches to Understanding Immune Responses in Acute Infection of Yellow Fever Patients.

In the 2018 yellow fever (YF) outbreak in Brazil, we generated new transcriptomic data and combined it with clinical and immunological data to decode the pathogenesis of YF. Analyzing 79 patients, we found distinct gene expression patterns between acute YF, other viral infections, and the milder YF-17D vaccine infection. We identified a critical role for low-density, immature neutrophils in severe outcomes, marked by the downregulation of genes essential for neutrophil migration and maturation, such as PADI4, CSF3R, and ICAM1, in deceased patients.

Validation of arteriovenous access stage (AVAS) classification: a prospective, international multicentre study.

Background: The arteriovenous access stage (AVAS) classification provides evaluation of upper extremity vessels for vascular access (VA) suitability. It divides patients into classes within three main groups: suitable for native fistula (AVAS1) or prosthetic graft (AVAS2), and patients not suitable for conventional native or prosthetic VA (AVAS3). We validated this system on a prospective dataset.

Chikungunya-Driven Gene Expression Linked to Osteoclast Survival and Chronic Arthralgia.

Chikungunya fever (CHIKF), caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), manifests as acute febrile illness often associated with polyarthritis and polyarthralgia. Although the acute symptoms resolve within two weeks, many patients experience prolonged joint pain and inflammation, resembling rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aimed to identify molecular markers related to joint pain and chronicity in CHIKV-infected individuals by analyzing blood transcriptomes using bulk RNA sequencing.

[COVID-19 and Lupus Nephritis Flares in Unvaccinated Patients: A Case Report and Literature Review].

Viral infections are one of the most common triggers of Systemic Lupus Nephritis (SLE) flare-ups. COVID-19 pneumonia can be severe in patients affected by SLE representing a risk factor for lupus nephritis flare. We report the case of a 28-year-old woman with a history of lupus nephritis (LN), who relapsed with severe nephritic-nephritic syndrome after the resolution of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus bloodstream infection successfully managed with oritavancin and fosfomycin as sequential treatment.

Bloodstream infections caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococci are increasingly reported and a consensus therapy does not exist. Oritavancin has shown good antimicrobial activity against VRE, but its use is mainly limited to skin, soft tissue, and/or bone infections. Fosfomycin is increasingly used for enterococcal infections (including bloodstream infections and endocarditis) as a partner drug given its anti-biofilm and synergistic properties.

Pioglitazone, a PPAR-y agonist, as one of the new therapeutic candidates for C3 glomerulopathy.

Background: C3-glomerulopathy (C3G) is a rare pediatric kidney disease characterised by dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway, with glomerular deposition of C3. C3G may often present as a steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), and there is no established effective therapy: the usual treatment involves corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. Pioglitazone, a PPAR-γ agonist with a protective action on podocytes, was reported in a few cases as helpful in reducing proteinuria when combined with steroids.

Effects of the timing and intensity of treatment on septic shock patients treated with CytoSorb: Clinical experience.

Introduction: A group of adult septic shock patients treated with hemoperfusion (HA) with the Cytosorb associated with CVVHD were studied to determine (a) the effects of this technique on different clinical variables; and (b) the impact of the pre CytoSorb interval and its intensity on the outcome.

Methods: The catecholamine index (CI) and the pressure-catecholamine Index (PCAI) were used to assess the amount of catecholamine administered at baseline and during the procedure, respectively. The pre-treatment time was calculated since the onset of the septic-shock related hypotension and the initiation of the first session and the intensity was assessed considering either the total volume of blood processed and the duration of the HA.

[Droghe d'abuso e rene].

Here we present a case of acute renal failure needing dialysis in a heroin addict patient chronically treated with Metadone. This give us the opportunity to review the renal effects of the main drugs of abuse, highlighting the shift occured from the four "old sisters" (Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin and Amphetamine) to the news synthetic drugs (chiefly Synthetic Cathinones and Cannabinoids), that poses problems due to large diffusion, easy procurement, legal non-regulation and difficult analytical identification, raising medical and forensic questions. From a Nephrological point of view is essential to take great care over the need to diagnose this kind of pathology and to widen the search trying anyway to recognize the substances potentially involved.

Tracheal necrosis following thyroid radiofrequency ablation.

Introduction: Radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules has a low rate of complications in experienced hands for selected indications, but tracheal necrosis is a major complication.

Case Report: A 60 year-old female patient underwent percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of an unesthetic benign isthmic thyroid nodule. The procedure was performed with a cooled electrode, using the "moving shot" technique on a trans-isthmic approach, under general anesthesia.

miRNAs may play a major role in the control of gene expression in key pathobiological processes in Chagas disease cardiomyopathy.

Chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC), an especially aggressive inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy caused by lifelong infection with the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major cause of cardiomyopathy in Latin America. Although chronic myocarditis may play a major pathogenetic role, little is known about the molecular mechanisms responsible for its severity. The aim of this study is to study the genes and microRNAs expression in tissues and their connections in regards to the pathobiological processes.

The Combined Use of Tocilizumab and Hemoadsorption in a Patient with SARS-COV-2-19-Associated Pneumonia: A Case Report.

The SARS-COV-2-19-associated respiratory involvement is caused by the massive release of inflammatory cytokines ultimately leading to interstitial pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In the absence of an effective antiviral treatment, a reasonable causal approach could be constituted by the neutralization of these substances. The authors describe the clinical course of a patient with SARS-COV-2-19 interstitial pneumonia treated with the combination of an anti-interleukin 6 (IL-6) agent (tocilizumab) and hemoadsorption (HA).

Coupled Plasma Filtration Adsorption for Treatment of Capillary Leak Syndrome Superimposed to Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustolosis: A Case Report.

Coupled plasma filtration adsorption (CPFA) is an extracorporeal supportive therapy based on nonspecific adsorption of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators combined with continuous renal replacement therapy. The main field of CPFA application is septic shock, and there are limited data about its efficacy in the treatment of other acute conditions characterized by a dysregulation in immune homeostasis. Capillary leak syndrome (CLS) defines a life-threatening condition sustained by hypercytokinemia and characterized by abrupt onset of increased capillary permeability leading to severe generalized edema and hypovolemic shock refractory to fluid administration.

The polyphenol quercetin induces cell death in leukemia by targeting epigenetic regulators of pro-apoptotic genes.

Background: In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the pro-apoptotic effects of quercetin (Qu) by evaluating the effect of Qu treatment on DNA methylation and posttranslational histone modifications of genes related to the apoptosis pathway. This study was performed in vivo in two human xenograft acute myeloid leukemia (AML) models and in vitro using HL60 and U937 cell lines.

Results: Qu treatment almost eliminates DNMT1 and DNMT3a expression, and this regulation was in part STAT-3 dependent.

[EBV-ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA IN PATIENT WITH GRANULOMATOSIS WITH POLYANGIITIS (GPA) IN IMMUNOSOPPRESSIVE THERAPY TREATED WITH ACICLOVIR].

Granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA) is an ANCA-related vasculitis (AAV) whose clinical manifestations mainly concern the respiratory tract (upper and lower) and the kidney. The treatment of GPA (as well as other AAV) includes the use of immunosuppressive drugs with numerous side effects; the most frequent complications are infectious and neoplastic. GPA frequently relapses.

Antitumor activities of Quercetin and Green Tea in xenografts of human leukemia HL60 cells.

Quercetin is one of the most abundant flavonoids, present in fruits and vegetables and has been shown to have multiple properties capable of reducing cell growth in cancer cells. Green tea is a widely consumed beverage, known for a potential source of free radical scavenging and anti-cancer activities. Herein, we investigate the in vivo antitumor efficacy of quercetin and green tea in human leukemia.

Transcriptional Up-Regulation of APE1/Ref-1 in Hepatic Tumor: Role in Hepatocytes Resistance to Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis.

Objective: Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most frequent neoplasm worldwide and the most serious complication of long-standing chronic liver diseases (CLD). Its development is associated with chronic inflammation and sustained oxidative stress. Deregulation of apurinic apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox effector factor 1 (APE1/Ref-1), a master regulator of cellular response to oxidative stress, has been associated with poor prognosis in several cancers including HCC.

Investigation of Oxytocin Secretion in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa: Relationships to Temperament Personality Dimensions.

Published studies suggested an implication of oxytocin in some temperament characteristics of personality. Therefore, we measured oxytocin secretion in 23 women with anorexia nervosa (AN), 27 with bulimia nervosa (BN) and 19 healthy controls and explored the relationships between circulating oxytocin and patients' personality traits. Plasma oxytocin levels were significantly reduced in AN women but not in BN ones.

Warfarin-related nephropathy: possible role for the warfarin pharmacogenetic profile.

Warfarin-related nephropathy (WRN) is a renal complication of warfarin treatment associated with over-anticoagulation. We describe a case of a 73-year-old man affected by chronic kidney disease, essential hypertension and atrial fibrillation treated with warfarin. The patient presented a rapid course of kidney failure after many episodes of over-anticoagulation, and renal biopsy demonstrated WRN.

Small molecule membrane transporters in the mammalian podocyte: a pathogenic and therapeutic target.

The intriguingly complex glomerular podocyte has been a recent object of intense study. Researchers have sought to understand its role in the pathogenesis of common proteinuric diseases such as minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerular sclerosis. In particular, considerable effort has been directed towards the anatomic and functional barrier to macromolecular filtration provided by the secondary foot processes, but little attention has been paid to the potential of podocytes to handle plasma proteins beyond the specialization of the slit diaphragm.