IL-1 receptor 1 signaling shapes the development of viral antigen-specific CD4 T cell responses following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.

Background: The innate immune cytokine interleukin (IL)-1 can affect T cell immunity, a critical factor in host defense. In a previous study, we identified a subset of human CD4 T cells which express IL-1 receptor 1 (IL-1R1). However, the expression of such receptor by viral antigen-specific CD4 T cells and its biological implication remain largely unexplored.

Defining Clinical and Immunological Predictors of Poor Immune Responses to COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines in Patients with Primary Antibody Deficiency.

Immune responses to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccines in primary antibody deficiencies (PADs) are largely unknown. We investigated antibody and CD4 T-cell responses specific for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) before and after vaccination and associations between vaccine response and patients' clinical and immunological characteristics in PADs. The PAD cohort consisted of common variable immune deficiency (CVID) and other PADs, not meeting the criteria for CVID diagnosis (oPADs).

Concurrent use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor and tyrosine kinase inhibitor in ankylosing spondylitis and myeloid neoplasm.

Biologic disease-modifying agents (bDMARDs) are highly effective in controlling the symptoms of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The decision on whether to continue bDMARDs following a cancer diagnosis can be challenging for patients and physicians. Here, we describe a case of a middle-aged male with ankylosing spondylitis who was controlled on infliximab (IFX) and found to have a myeloid neoplasm with Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor Beta rearrangement.

Update on gout management: what is old and what is new.

Purpose Of Review: The global burden of gout is rising, as are the prevalence of associated comorbidities, all-cause mortality and societal costs. In this review, we discuss recent advances in epidemiology and treatment strategies for gout.

Recent Findings: Genetic factors and obesity are prominent contributors to hyperuricemia and gout, while dietary factors contribute to less variance in serum urate, though can still have some contribution to population attributable risk.

A distinct association of inflammatory molecules with outcomes of COVID-19 in younger versus older adults.

Aging can alter immunity affecting host defense. COVID-19 has the most devastating clinical outcomes in older adults, raising the implication of immune aging in determining its severity and mortality. We investigated biological predictors for clinical outcomes in a dataset of 13,642 ambulatory and hospitalized adult COVID-19 patients, including younger (age < 65, n = 566) and older (age ≥ 65, n = 717) subjects, with in-depth analyses of inflammatory molecules, cytokines and comorbidities.

Community Private Practice Clinical Experience with Peanut Oral Immunotherapy.

Background: Peanut oral immunotherapy is an effective treatment for desensitizing peanut-allergic patients, but the frequency of adverse reactions has limited its widespread use.

Objective: To review the frequency of adverse reactions that patients on peanut oral immunotherapy experience during build-up and maintenance phases and explore factors that may contribute to adverse events.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of children and adults with peanut allergy undergoing peanut oral immunotherapy at the New England Food Allergy Treatment Center in West Hartford, Conn was performed.

Aberrant progranulin, YKL-40, cathepsin D and cathepsin S in Gaucher disease.

In Gaucher disease, several macrophage-specific biomarkers have been validated for use in the clinic. However, Gaucher disease is more complex involving system-wide pathophysiology beyond the macrophage, and based on gene array analysis in our Gaucher disease mouse model and other emerging pathophysiologic insights, we evaluated serum levels of cathepsins D and S, YKL-40 and progranulin in Gaucher disease patients. We assessed their biomarker potential in Gaucher disease and compared them to established Gaucher disease biomarkers, chitotriosidase, chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18), and other indicators of disease severity and response to therapy.

Low Fasting Oxytocin Levels Are Associated With Psychopathology in Anorexia Nervosa in Partial Recovery.

Objective: Anorexia nervosa (AN), a psychiatric disorder characterized by restriction of food intake despite severe weight loss, is associated with increased comorbid anxiety and depression. Secretion of oxytocin, an appetite-regulating neurohormone with anxiolytic and antidepressant properties, is abnormal in AN. The link between oxytocin levels and psychopathology in AN has not been well explored.

Use of Wireless Capsule Endoscopy for the Diagnosis and Grading of Esophageal Varices in Patients With Portal Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Esophageal variceal bleeding is a severe complication of portal hypertension with significant morbidity and mortality. Although traditional screening and grading of esophageal varices has been performed by endogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), wireless video capsule endoscopy provides a minimally invasive alternative that may improve screening and surveillance compliance.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of the study was to perform a systematic review and structured meta-analysis of all eligible studies to evaluate the efficacy of wireless capsule endoscopy for screening and diagnosis of esophageal varices among patients with portal hypertension.

The efficacy and safety profile of albumin administration for patients with cirrhosis at high risk of hepatorenal syndrome is dose dependent.

Background: Albumin is a critical component in the standard therapeutic approach to acute renal failure (ARF) and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in the setting of ascites. However, data regarding the safety and minimum effective dose are limited.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with decompensated cirrhosis who received albumin within the first 48 hours of hospitalization at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center between 2010 and 2013.

Segmental isotope labeling of proteins for NMR structural study using a protein S tag for higher expression and solubility.

A common obstacle to NMR studies of proteins is sample preparation. In many cases, proteins targeted for NMR studies are poorly expressed and/or expressed in insoluble forms. Here, we describe a novel approach to overcome these problems.