A Novel AGR2 Variant Causing Aberrant Monomer-Dimer Equilibrium Leading to Severe Respiratory and Digestive Symptoms.

Anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) is a protein disulfide isomerase that is important for protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and is essential for mucin production in the digestive and respiratory tracts. Bi-allelic AGR2 variants were recently found to cause recurrent respiratory infections and failure to thrive with or without diarrhea (RIFTD; MIM # 620233), although the mechanisms behind this condition remain unclear. To date, at least 15 patients with homozygous AGR2 variants have been reported.

The impact of circulating nucleosomes on inflammation in acute lung injury.

Extracellular histones are released in two major forms: free histones and nucleosomes (DNA-bound histones). However, little distinction has been made between these two forms of circulating extracellular histones. Our study detected increased circulating nucleosomes in acute lung injury patients.

PDGFRα-positive cell-derived TIMP-1 modulates adaptive immune responses to influenza A viral infection.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) is a physiologic inhibitor of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), but little is known about the role of TIMP-1 in regulating the pathogenesis of influenza A virus (IAV) infection. Here, we performed both in vivo and in vitro experiments to investigate the regulation and function of TIMP-1 during IAV infection. Specifically, plasma levels of TIMP-1 are significantly increased in human subjects and wild-type (WT) mice infected with 2009 H1N1 IAV compared with levels in uninfected controls.

Oral Health Research in the WHO African Region between 2011 and 2022: A Scoping Review.

The status of oral health research in the World Health Organization (WHO) African region is unclear, yet the need for such information is central to moving an oral health agenda forward. Such an agenda is essential for effectively translating research into actionable practices and supporting regional strategies. The aim of this scoping review was to provide data on the scope and output of oral health research in the WHO African region to be used as a starting point for establishing a research agenda that can affect oral health in the region.

Role of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory B cells promoting immune protection after booster vaccination in solid organ transplantation.

Introduction: Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients display weak seroconversion and neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination and remain at risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While B-cell memory is the hallmark of serological immunity, its role in driving successful vaccine responses and providing immune protection in SOT patients remains unclear.

Methods: We investigated the function and interplay of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory B cells (mBc), different cytokineproducing T cells, and cross-reactive NAb in driving seroconversion and protection against COVID-19 in two cohorts.

Mast cells promote pathology and susceptibility in tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the bacterium (), infects approximately one-fourth of the world's population. While most infected individuals are asymptomatic, latent TB infection (LTBI) can progress to cause pulmonary TB (PTB). We recently reported an increased accumulation of mast cells (MCs) in lungs of macaques with PTB, compared with LTBI in macaques.

Construction of a Theoretical Model of Chronic Disease Self-Management: Self-Management Within a Syndemic.

The purpose of this article is to describe a model of chronic disease self-management that incorporates the complexity of social and environmental interactions experienced by people who self-manage chronic conditions. This study combines quantitative data from a large national research cohort and qualitative interviews to test and refine a self-management model. The self-management within a syndemic model depicts the contextual, psychological, and social factors that predict self-management behaviors and clinical and long-term outcomes.

Club Cell Secretory Protein-16 (CC16) as a Prognostic Biomarker for COVID-19 and H1N1 Viral Infections.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and H1N1 viruses are inflammatory lung pathogens that can lead to acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ALI/ARDS are still life-threatening diseases in critically ill patients with 30-40% mortality in the last decade. Currently, there are no laboratory tests for the early diagnosis or prognosis of ALI/ARDS.

Statistical accuracy of molecular dynamics-based methods for sampling conformational ensembles of disordered proteins.

The characterization of the statistical ensemble of conformations of intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) is a great challenge both from experimental and computational points of view. In this respect, a number of protocols have been developed using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to sample the huge conformational space of the molecule. In this work, we consider one of the best methods available, replica exchange solute tempering (REST), as a reference to compare the results obtained using this method with the results obtained using other methods, in terms of experimentally measurable quantities.

Anti-HLA serologic response to CD38-targeting desensitization therapy is challenged by peripheral memory B cells in highly sensitized kidney transplant candidates.

High human leukocyte antigen (HLA) sensitization limits access to compatible transplantation. New CD38-targeting agents have been shown to reduce anti-HLA antibodies, although with important interpatient variability. Thus, pretreatment identification of responder and nonresponder (NR) patients is needed for treatment decision-making.

Predicting return of lung function after a pulmonary exacerbation using the cystic fibrosis respiratory symptom diary-chronic respiratory infection symptom scale.

Background: Pulmonary exacerbations (PExs) in people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) are associated with increased healthcare costs, decreased quality of life and the risk for permanent decline in lung function. Symptom burden, the continuous physiological and emotional symptoms on an individual related to their disease, may be a useful tool for monitoring PwCF during a PEx, and identifying individuals at high risk for permanent decline in lung function. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the degree of symptom burden severity, measured by the Cystic Fibrosis Respiratory Symptom Diary (CFRSD)- Chronic Respiratory Infection Symptom Scale (CRISS), at the onset of a PEx can predict failure to return to baseline lung function by the end of treatment.

Prosthetic home intervention induces cortical plasticity in paediatrics with congenital limb reduction.

Paediatrics with congenital upper-limb reduction deficiency often face difficulties with normal development such as motor skills, needing assistance with daily activities such as self-care limitations with certain movements, sports, or activities. The purpose of this non-randomized longitudinal controlled trial was to assess, using intent-to-treat analysis, the effects of an 8-week home intervention of prosthetic use on the sensorimotor cortex in paediatrics with congenital upper-limb reduction deficiency. A paediatric population with congenital upper-limb reduction deficiency ( = 14) who were aged 6-18 years and who had a 20° or greater range of motion in the appropriate joint of the affected arm to move the body-powered prosthesis were enrolled.

The rs11684747 and rs55790676 SNPs of ADAM17 influence tuberculosis susceptibility and plasma levels of TNF, TNFR1, and TNFR2.

Introduction: The proteolytic activity of A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) regulates the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and TNF receptors (TNFRs) from cell surfaces. These molecules play important roles in tuberculosis (TB) shaping innate immune reactions and granuloma formation.

Methods: Here, we investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ADAM17 influence TNF and TNFRs levels in 224 patients with active TB (ATB) and 118 healthy close contacts.

Symptom phenotyping in people with cystic fibrosis during acute pulmonary exacerbations using machine-learning K-means clustering analysis.

Introduction: People with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) experience frequent symptoms associated with chronic lung disease. A complication of CF is a pulmonary exacerbation (PEx), which is often preceded by an increase in symptoms and a decline in lung function. A symptom cluster is when two or more symptoms co-occur and are related; symptom clusters have contributed meaningful knowledge in other diseases.

Development of Luminescent Biosensors for Calprotectin.

Calprotectin, a metal ion-binding protein complex, plays a crucial role in the innate immune system and has gained prominence as a biomarker for various intestinal and systemic inflammatory and infectious diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and tuberculosis (TB). Current clinical testing methods rely on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), limiting accessibility and convenience. In this study, we introduce the Fab-Enabled Split-luciferase Calprotectin Assay (FESCA), a novel quantitative method for calprotectin measurement.

Microbiome in the nasopharynx: Insights into the impact of COVID-19 severity.

Background: The respiratory tract harbors a variety of microbiota, whose composition and abundance depend on specific site factors, interaction with external factors, and disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 severity and the nasopharyngeal microbiome.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study in Mexico City, collecting nasopharyngeal swabs from 30 COVID-19 patients and 14 healthy volunteers.

In-vivo 3-dimensional spine and lower body gait symmetry analysis in healthy individuals.

Background: Numerous research studies have delved into the biomechanics of walking, focusing on the spine and lower extremities. However, understanding the symmetry of walking in individuals without health issues poses a challenge, as those with normal mobility may exhibit uneven movement patterns due to inherent functional differences between their left and right limbs. The goal of this study is to examine the three-dimensional kinematics of gait symmetry in the spine and lower body during both typical and brisk overground walking in healthy individuals.

Expression of Rejection-Associated Transcripts in Early Protocol Renal Transplant Biopsies Is Associated with Tacrolimus Exposure and Graft Outcome.

Subclinical inflammation in protocol biopsies relates to tacrolimus exposure and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching. We aimed to characterize transcripts associated with rejection and tacrolimus exposure and the latter's association with transplant outcomes. We tested whether gene expression is associated with rejection using strictly normal protocol biopsies (n = 17) and biopsies with T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) or antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) according to Banff criteria (n = 12).

Pressure ulcer prevention and treatment interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review.

Background: The high burden of pressure ulcers (PUs) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), coupled with the limited resources, underscores the need for preventive and context-specific treatment strategies.

Purpose: Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review was to establish and elucidate PU prevention and treatment interventions tested in SSA.

Methods: This systematic review of the literature used, PRISMA to guide the search.