Deletion of the Natural Killer Cell Receptor NKG2C Encoding Gene and Kidney Transplant Outcome.

Natural killer (NK) cells may contribute to antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) of renal allografts. The role of distinct NK cell subsets in this specific context, such as NK cells expressing the activating receptor NKG2C, is unknown. Our aim was to investigate whether gene deletion variants which determine NKG2C expression affect the pathogenicity of donor-specific antibodies (DSA) and, if so, influence long-term graft survival.

Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of monoclonal CD38 antibody felzartamab in late antibody-mediated renal allograft rejection: study protocol for a phase 2 trial.

Background: Antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) is a cardinal cause of renal allograft loss. This rejection type, which may occur at any time after transplantation, commonly presents as a continuum of microvascular inflammation (MVI) culminating in chronic tissue injury. While the clinical relevance of ABMR is well recognized, its treatment, particularly a long time after transplantation, has remained a big challenge.

Anti-interleukin-6 antibody clazakizumab in late antibody-mediated kidney transplant rejection: effect on cytochrome P450 drug metabolism.

Targeting interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a promising strategy to counteract antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR). In inflammatory states, IL-6 antagonism was shown to modulate cytochrome P450 (CYP), but its impact on drug metabolism in ABMR treatment was not addressed so far. We report a sub-study of a phase 2 trial of anti-IL-6 antibody clazakizumab in late ABMR (ClinicalTrials.

A randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of a brief computerized anxiety sensitivity reduction intervention for health anxiety.

It is estimated that individuals with severe health anxiety (HA) utilize 41 %-78 % more healthcare resources than individuals with identified medical diagnoses. Thus, identifying targets for intervention and prevention efforts for HA that are appropriate for primary care or specialty clinic settings is imperative. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of a single-session, computerized anxiety sensitivity (AS) intervention on AS and HA.

Hydroxychloroquine versus lopinavir/ritonavir in severe COVID-19 patients : Results from a real-life patient cohort.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with a high mortality. To date no trial comparing hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/RTV) has been performed.

Methods: Hospitalized patients ≥18 years old with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were treated with either HCQ or LPV/RTV if they had either respiratory insufficiency (SpO ≤ 93% on room air or the need for oxygen insufflation) or bilateral consolidations on chest X‑ray and at least 2 comorbidities associated with poor COVID-19 prognosis.

ELBW infants receive inadvertent sodium load above the recommended intake.

Background: To determine total sodium load, including inadvertent load, during the first 2 postnatal weeks, and its influence on serum sodium, morbidity, and mortality in extremely low birth weight (ELBW, birth weight <1000 g) infants and to calculate sodium replacement models.

Methods: Retrospective data analysis on ELBW infants with a gestational age <28 + 0/7 weeks.

Results: Ninety patients with a median birth weight of 718 g and a median gestational age of 24 + 6/7 weeks were included.

Factors associated with physiotherapists' preference for MRI in primary care patients with low back and leg pain.

Background: Criticisms about overuse of MRI in low back pain are well documented. Yet, with the exception of suspicion of serious pathology, little is known about factors that influence clinicians' preference for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at first consultation.

Objective: To explore factors associated with physiotherapists' preference for MRI for patients consulting with benign low back and leg pain (LBLP) including sciatica.

Osteopontin dysregulation and lytic bone lesions in multiple myeloma.

Osteopontin (OPN), a secreted phosphoprotein involved in immune regulation and bone homeostasis, is a major component of bone, the natural habitat of long-lived plasma cells and multiple myeloma (MM). We show that only some MM cell lines and primary patient samples express OPN at high levels. High OPN expression inversely correlates with bone disease.