Ara h 2-expressing cucumber mosaic virus-like particle (VLP Peanut) induces in vitro tolerogenic cellular responses in peanut-allergic individuals.

Background: Peanut allergy (PA) is one of the most prevalent food allergies with a lack of favorable safety/efficacy treatment. A cucumber mosaic virus-like particle expressing peanut allergen component Ara h 2 (VLP Peanut) has been developed as a novel therapeutic approach for PA.

Objective: We assessed the tolerogenic properties and reactivity of VLP Peanut.

A Narrative Review of Invasive Candidiasis in the Intensive Care Unit.

species is the most common cause of invasive fungal infection in the critically ill population admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Numerous risk factors for developing invasive candidiasis (IC) have been identified, and some, like the breach of protective barriers, abound within the ICU. Given that IC carries a significant mortality, morbidity, and healthcare cost burden, early diagnosis and treatment have become an essential topic of discussion.

Antibiotic allergy de-labeling in the intensive care unit: The prospective ADE-ICU study.

Purpose: Critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are frequently prescribed antibiotics, with many reporting an antibiotic allergy label, predominantly to penicillin. Mislabeling contributes to suboptimal antibiotic use, increasing multidrug-resistant organisms and Clostridium difficile infections, and increased hospital length of stay. This prospective study implemented an antibiotic allergy assessment and testing program in the ICU, independently of clinical immunology/allergy services.

Immunological mechanisms of tolerance: Central, peripheral and the role of T and B cells.

T and B cells are key components of the adaptive immune system. Through their immune properties and their interactions with other immune cells and cytokines around them, they build a complex network to achieve immune tolerance and maintain homeostasis of the body. This is achieved through mechanisms of central and peripheral tolerance, both of which are associated with advantages and disadvantages.

Visual Search in 3D: Effects of Monoscopic and Stereoscopic Cues to Depth on the Validity of Feature Integration Theory and Perceptual Load Theory.

Previous research has successfully used feature integration theory to operationalise the predictions of Perceptual Load Theory, while simultaneously testing the predictions of both models. Building on this work, we test the extent to which these models hold up in a 3D world. In two experiments, participants responded to a target stimulus within an array of shapes whose apparent depth was manipulated using a combination of monoscopic and stereoscopic cues.

Host-pathogen interaction during mechanical ventilation: systemic or compartmentalized response?

Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) often require invasive mechanical ventilation. Ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections (VA-LRTI), either ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) or ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), are the most common complication among this patient cohort. VAT and VAP are currently diagnosed and treated as separate entities, viewed as binary disease elements despite an inherent subjectivity in distinguishing them clinically.

How Can We Distinguish Ventilator-Associated Tracheobronchitis from Pneumonia?

Ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) might represent an intermediate process between lower respiratory tract colonization and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), or even a less severe spectrum of VAP. There is an urgent need for new concepts in the arena of ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections. Ideally, the gold standard of care is based on prevention rather than treatment of respiratory infection.

Systematic review on the first line treatment of amphotericin B in critically ill adults with candidemia or invasive candidiasis.

Invasive candidiasis is the most common fungal infection affecting critically ill adults. International guidelines provide differing recommendations for first-line antifungal therapy, with echinocandins considered first-line in the majority. Amphotericin B has broad activity and low minimum inhibitory concentration resistance patterns across most Candida species and guidance away from its use should be supported by the available evidence.

Day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy: analysis of the factors allowing early discharge.

Despite a number of studies have already demonstrated that majority of patients can be safely discharged early after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, this approach did not gain widespread diffusion yet. The present study was set up to assess safety and feasibility of 24 h or same-day discharge after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to identify the prognostic factors. Perioperative variables of 229 patients undergoing cholecystectomy have been analyzed.

Major Pelvic Bleeding Following a Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection: Use of Laparoscopy as a Diagnostic Tool.

Stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) and stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) are well-established techniques for treating rectal prolapse and obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS). Occasionally, they can be associated with severe complications. We describe the case of a 59-year-old woman who underwent STARR for ODS and developed a postoperative pelvic hemorrhage.

Early Discharge After Colorectal Resection: The Positive Impact of an Enhanced Recovery Program on a Rural Colorectal Surgery Service.

Background: Enhanced recovery (ER) programs are policies and protocols meant to improve postoperative recovery after surgery. As a consequence of a smoother recovery, patients can be discharged early. This paper describes the impact of an ER program in colorectal surgery in a rural hospital.

Force-velocity relationship and stretch-shortening cycle function in sprint and endurance athletes.

This study examined the torque-velocity and power-velocity relationships of quadriceps muscle function, stretch shortening cycle function, and leg-spring stiffness in sprint and endurance athletes. Isokinetic maximal knee extension torque was obtained from 7 sprinters and 7 endurance athletes using a Con-trex isokinetic dynamometer. Torque and power measures were corrected for lean-thigh cross-sectional area and lean-thigh volume, respectively.