Cryptococcal Pneumonia in a Patient on Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy: How Common Is It?

Cryptococcal pneumonia is identified as a fungal infection of the lungs, with and as the most common culprits.  primarily affects immunocompromised individuals while infections occur mostly in immunocompetent hosts. We present a 76-year-old male on ibrutinib due to a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia who had multiple hospitalizations for pneumonia and was later diagnosed with cryptococcal pneumonia through positive bronchoalveolar lavage fungal culture and lymph node biopsy.

Protumorigenic role of the atypical cadherin FAT1 by the suppression of PDCD10 via RelA/miR221-3p/222-3p axis in glioblastoma.

The atypical cadherin FAT1 function either as a pro or antitumorigenic in tumors of different tissue origins. Our group previously demonstrated the protumorigenic nature of FAT1 signaling in glioblastoma (GBM). In this study, we investigated how FAT1 influences the expression of clustered oncomiRs (miR-221-3p/miR-222-3p) and their downstream effects in GBM.

Deep Learning Classification of Tuberculosis Chest X-rays.

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium . It primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other organs, such as the kidneys, bones, and brain. TB is transmitted through the air when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or speaks, releasing tiny droplets containing the bacteria.

Pneumoperitoneum in a Patient With COVID-19 and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Without Pneumothorax.

We present a case report of pneumoperitoneum, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous emphysema in a patient with COVID-19 pneumonia-causing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) without any pneumothorax occurring. Pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous emphysema are known complications of barotrauma due to positive pressure from mechanical ventilation which is necessary for patients suffering from a severe case of COVID-19. In our literature search, we could not find any reported case of pneumoperitoneum without pneumothorax occurring.

Incidence of Barotrauma in COVID-19 Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation: A Retrospective Study in a Community Hospital.

Background and aim Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe complication of COVID-19 and traditional ventilation strategies using ARDSNet protocol, including low tidal volumes, appear to cause barotrauma in COVID-19 patients at a higher rate than non-COVID-19 ARDS patients. The purpose of our study was to determine if COVID-19 patients with ARDS undergoing mechanical ventilation at St. Joseph's Medical Center (SJMC) developed barotrauma at a higher rate than non-COVID-19 ARDS patients.

Upregulation of Atypical Cadherin FAT1 Promotes an Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment TGF-β.

FAT atypical cadherin 1 (FAT1) promotes glioblastoma (GBM) by promoting protumorigenic inflammatory cytokine expression in tumor cells. However, tumors also have an immunosuppressive microenvironment maintained by mediators such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β cytokines. Here, we have studied the role of FAT1 in tumor immune suppression.

Impact of C1q fixing donor-specific antibodies on renal transplant outcome.

Not all anti-HLA donor-specific antibodies (HLA-DSAs) are detrimental to renal allograft. In this context, the C1q complement activating ability of antibodies appears to be an important parameter to distinguish clinically inert versus detrimental DSAs. We evaluated sera of 206 consecutive primary live donor renal transplant recipients before transplant and at post-operative day 7, 30, 90, 180 and at the time of graft dysfunction for quantifying HLA-DSAs using single antigen bead assay on a Luminex platform.

Randomised controlled trials for COVID-19: evaluation of optimal randomisation methodologies-need for data validation of the completed trials and to improve ongoing and future randomised trial designs.

During the emerging COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, initially there were no proven treatment options. With the release of randomised controlled trial (RCT) results, we are beginning to see possible treatment options for COVID-19. The RECOVERY trial showed an absolute risk reduction in mortality by 2.

Clinical relevance of major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related molecule A (MICA) antibodies in live donor renal transplantation - Indian Experience.

Antibody-mediated rejections (AMR) in the absence of circulating anti-HLA-DSA have highlighted the role of non-HLA antibodies, particularly those directed against endothelial cells. Of these, MICA (major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related molecule A) antibodies are the most notable and important because of their potential in promoting graft rejections. Limited studies have focused on the impact of MICA donor-specific antibodies (DSA) on graft outcome as compared to those that are not donor-specific (NDSA).

Soluble Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I related Chain A (sMICA) levels influence graft outcome following Renal Transplantation.

Background: Since soluble isoforms of MICA play an important role in modulating the immune response, we evaluated a possible correlation between their levels and development of acute rejection following renal transplantation.

Methods: Serum samples collected at pre- and different time points post-transplant from 137 live related donor renal transplant recipients were evaluated retrospectively for sMICA levels and for the presence of MICA antibodies. Samples from 30 healthy volunteers were also tested as controls.

Comparative analysis of Luminex-based donor-specific antibody mean fluorescence intensity values with complement-dependent cytotoxicity & flow crossmatch results in live donor renal transplantation.

Background & Objectives: Antibodies specific to donor human leucocyte antigen (HLA) play a critical role in graft rejection and graft loss. In recent years, techniques for their detection have evolved significantly providing an ever-increasing degree of sensitivity and specificity, from the conventional cell-based assays to the advanced solid-phase system based on the Luminex platform. Consensus is still evolving on the routine employment of all these methods, either stand alone or in combination.

Clinical relevance of antibody development in renal transplantation.

The detection and characterization of anti-HLA antibodies and the clinical impact of their appearance following renal transplantation are areas of immense interest. In particular, de novo development of donor-specific antibodies (DSA) has been associated with acute and chronic antibody-mediated graft rejection (AMR). Recently, methods for antibody detection have evolved remarkably from conventional cell-based assays to advanced solid phase systems.

Management of calcium channel antagonist overdose with hyperinsulinemia-euglycemia therapy: case series and review of the literature.

Calcium channel antagonists (CCAs) are commonly involved in drug overdoses. Standard approaches to the management of CCA overdoses, including fluid resuscitation, gut decontamination, administration of calcium, glucagon, and atropine, as well as supportive care, are often ineffective. We report on two patients who improved after addition of hyperinsulinemia-euglycemia (HIE) therapy.

How far have we reached in tuberculosis vaccine development?

Tuberculosis, a bacterial disease prevalent since ancient times, continues to cause the most deaths globally compared with all other diseases. The causative agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis is responsible for different types of tuberculosis in humans; however, pulmonary tuberculosis is the most common and causes the most deaths. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an intracellular pathogenic bacterium, which has developed sophisticated mechanisms to survive inside host mononuclear phagocytes and thus evade the host immune system.