Maternal-Fetal Transfer of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Amniotic Fluid: Insights from Maternal Vaccination and COVID-19 Infection.

: As the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, understanding maternal-fetal antibody transfer remains crucial for optimizing vaccination strategies. This study evaluates anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in amniotic fluid following maternal BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination and/or COVID-19 infection during early pregnancy, focusing on the first and second trimesters. : A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary university-affiliated hospital, involving 149 pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis.

Maternal and Cord Anti-SARS-CoV-2-Spike IgG following COVID-19 Vaccination versus Infection during Pregnancy: A Prospective Study, Israel October 2021-March 2022.

Objective: Defining how pregnant women respond to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and vaccination is critical to optimize vaccination strategies that protect mother and infant at the epidemic. This study aimed to compare anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) of vaccinated versus infected women and to determine the optimal timing of maternal vaccination during pregnancy at the time of epidemic.

Study Design: We collected maternal/cord blood at delivery (October 2021-March 2022) and measured anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike IgG geometric mean concentrations (IgG-GMCs) using a quantitative immunoassay.

Baseline moderate-range albuminuria is associated with protection against severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is considered a leading contributor to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Aim: To characterize differences between hospitalized diabetic patients with without COVID-19, and parameters associated with COVID-19 severity for prediction.

Methods: This case-control study included 209 patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus hospitalized at the Galilee Medical Center (Nahariya, Israel) and recruited between September 2020 and May 2021, 65 patients with COVID-19 infection in dedicated wards and 144 COVID-19-negative patients in internal medicine wards hospitalized due to other reasons.

Increased serum level of alpha-2 macroglobulin and its production by B-lymphocytes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most common adult's leukemia in the western world, is caused in 95% of the cases by uncontrolled proliferation of monoclonal B-lymphocytes. The complement system in CLL is chronically activated at a low level the classical pathway (CP). This chronic activation is induced by IgG-hexamers, which are formed after binding to alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M).

Unified platform for genetic and serological detection of COVID-19 with single-molecule technology.

The COVID-19 pandemic raises the need for diverse diagnostic approaches to rapidly detect different stages of viral infection. The flexible and quantitative nature of single-molecule imaging technology renders it optimal for development of new diagnostic tools. Here we present a proof-of-concept for a single-molecule based, enzyme-free assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2.

Serum albumin levels and inflammation.

Albumin is the most abundant protein in the plasma and has a regulatory role in the distribution of body fluids, acid-base physiology, and binding of essential components in the bloodstream. C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced by hepatocytes and is commonly used to assess inflammation. It was previously noted that acute-phase concentrations of proteins, such as CRP, tend to rise in inflammatory conditions, while albumin concentrations tend to decline.

Unified platform for genetic and serological detection of COVID-19 with single-molecule technology.

The COVID-19 pandemic raises the need for diverse diagnostic approaches to rapidly detect different stages of viral infection. The flexible and quantitative nature of single-molecule imaging technology renders it optimal for development of new diagnostic tools. Here we present a proof-of-concept for a single-molecule based, enzyme-free assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2.

Subclinical hypothyroidism or isolated high TSH in hospitalized patients with chronic heart-failure and chronic renal-failure.

Sub-clinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is common in heart failure (HF) and advanced renal failure (RF), but it is unclear whether there is a thyroid disease or a transient increase in TSH level. This is a retrospective study of hospitalized patients in medical departments. All patients with SCH and a TSH level up to less than 12 mIU/L were identified.

The Role of Alpha 2 Macroglobulin in IgG-Aggregation and Chronic Activation of the Complement System in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in adults in the western world. One of the treatments offered for CLL is immunotherapy. These treatments activate various cellular and biochemical mechanisms, using the complement system.

The significance of high thyroxine in hospitalized patients with low thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Purpose: There is scarce data about the interpretation of high thyroid hormone levels in hospitalized patients. We wished to investigate the significance of high thyroxine (T4) in hospitalized patients with low TSH.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of data from patients in nonsurgical departments.

Cell-free IgG-aggregates in plasma of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia cause chronic activation of the classical complement pathway.

Therapy regimens for Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) commonly include chemotherapy and immunotherapy, which act through complement-mediated-cytotoxicity (CDC) and other mechanisms. CDC depends on several factors, including the availability and activity of the complement classical pathway (CP). Recently, a significant decrease in CP activity was shown to be associated with an immunoglobulin-C5a complex (Ig-C5a) and other markers of chronic CP activation in 40% of the patients.

Low brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein levels and single-nucleotide polymorphism Val66Met are associated with peripheral neuropathy in type II diabetic patients.

Background: Studies by our group demonstrated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in blood and BDNF-Val66met-SNP as potential biomarkers in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Here, we evaluate symptoms of peripheral neuropathy (PN) and depression in patients with type II diabetes mellitus in search of an association with serum BDNF levels and the Val66Met-SNP.

Methods: In total, 90 patients enrolled in the study; 23 (25.

Reduction of Traumatic Brain Damage by Tspo Ligand Etifoxine.

Experimental studies have shown that ligands of the 18 kDa translocator protein can reduce neuronal damage induced by traumatic brain injury by protecting mitochondria and preventing metabolic crisis. Etifoxine, an anxiolytic drug and 18 kDa translocator protein ligand, has shown beneficial effects in the models of peripheral nerve neuropathy. The present study investigates the potential effect of etifoxine as a neuroprotective agent in traumatic brain injury (TBI).

A C5a-Immunoglobulin complex in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients is associated with decreased complement activity.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common adult leukemia in the Western world. The therapeutic approach to CLL includes chemotherapeutic regimens and immunotherapy. Complement-mediated cytotoxicity, which is one of the mechanisms activated by the therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, depends on the availability and activity of the complement (C) system.

Associations of Peritoneal Glucose Load With Male Sexual Dysfunction and Depression in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

This cross-sectional study examined possible associations of peritoneal glucose load with male sexual dysfunction and depression in peritoneal dialysis patients. Compared to patients with peritoneal glucose load ≤3 g/kg per day, those with load >3 g/kg per day had higher Beck Depression Inventory scores, (18.9 ± 5.

The relationship between hydration status, male sexual dysfunction and depression in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Disturbances in sexual function are common among dialysis patients. Normal erections require a complex balance of physiological, psychological, emotional, hormonal, neurological and vascular factors. This study examined a possible association of overhydration (OH) with male sexual dysfunction and depression in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

[INVOLVEMENT OF EPIGENETIC REGULATION IN CEREBRAL CELL DEATH FOLLOWING TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN A RAT MODEL].

Introduction: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a major cause of mortality and disability among young adults. TBI are characterized by primary injury, the result of a mechanical impact to the cranium and a secondary injury, a series of molecular mechanism processes developing thereafter. Cerebral cells modify their gene and protein expression as a result of the injury.

Investigation of the mechanisms of neuroprotection mediated by Ro5-4864 in brain injury.

Increasing evidence has established the involvement of the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) in the process of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and subsequent apoptosis through modulation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Recent studies have shown that treatment with Ro5-4864, a TSPO ligand, resulted in a neuroprotective effect in traumatic brain injury. Yet, the nature of this effect remained uncertain as mature neurons are considered to be lacking the TSPO protein.

Post-traumatic cytotoxic edema is directly related to mitochondrial function.

Cerebral edema represents a major threat following traumatic brain injury. However, therapeutic measures for control of intracranial pressure alone have failed to restore cerebral metabolism and improve neurological outcome. Since mitochondrial damage results in ATP depletion and deactivation of membrane ionic pumps, we hypothesized that modulation of ATP bioavailability may directly affect cytotoxic edema.