Accurate Diagnosis of Lower Respiratory Infections Using Host Response and Respiratory Microbiome from a Single Metatranscriptome Test of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid.

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) diagnosis is challenging because noninfectious diseases mimic its clinical features. The altered host response and respiratory microbiome following LRTIs have the potential to differentiate LRTIs from noninfectious respiratory diseases (non-LRTIs). Patients suspected of having LRTIs are retrospectively enrolled and a clinical metatranscriptome test is performed on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).

TNFα alters occludin and cerebral endothelial permeability: Role of p38MAPK.

Occludin is a key tight junction (TJ) protein in cerebral endothelial cells (CECs) playing an important role in modulating blood-brain barrier (BBB) functions. This protein (65kDa) has been shown to engage in many signaling pathways and phosphorylation by both tyrosine and threonine kinases. Despite yet unknown mechanisms, pro-inflammatory cytokines and endotoxin (lipopolysaccharides, LPS) may alter TJ proteins in CECs and BBB functions.

Enhanced delivery of human growth hormone across cell membrane by Tat-PTD.

In this study, we utilized the HIV protein Tat protein transduction domain (Tat-PTD) to enhance the intestinal absorption of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) delivered by oral administration. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), the key factor in the GH signal transduction pathway, was differentially affected at the mRNA level by various concentrations of rhGH. At high rhGH concentrations (500 ng/ml), IGF-1 was downregulated, while low concentrations (5 ng/ml) caused IGF-1 upregulation.

Caspofungin-induced severe toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Objective: To report a case of suspected caspofungin-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).

Case Summary: An 86-year-old man had a right femur intertrochanteric fracture and right proximal humerus fracture due to an accidental fall. Disseminated Candida krusei infection complicated the postoperative course.