Molecular basis of hemoglobin binding and heme removal in .

To successfully mount infections, nearly all bacterial pathogens must acquire iron, a key metal cofactor that primarily resides within human hemoglobin. causes the life-threatening respiratory disease diphtheria and captures hemoglobin for iron scavenging using the surface-displayed receptor HbpA. Here, we show using X-ray crystallography, NMR, and in situ binding measurements that selectively captures iron-loaded hemoglobin by partially ensconcing the heme molecules of its α subunits.

Assessment of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.

The background of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is complex, and its influence on adverse pregnancy outcomes is inconsistently reported. We performed a multi-institutional, retrospective analysis using de-identified electronic health records from the TriNetX Research Network to compare various pregnancy outcomes in women with and those without H.

Clinical outcomes following shock team implementation for cardiogenic shock: a systematic review.

Background: Cardiogenic shock is a critical cardiac condition characterized by low cardiac output leading to end-organ hypoperfusion and associated with high in-hospital mortality rates. It can manifest following acute myocardial infarction or acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure. Despite advancements, mortality rates remain elevated, prompting interest in multidisciplinary approaches to improve outcomes.

Association between body mass index and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in young individuals: a nationwide population‑based cohort study.

Body mass index (BMI) is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk. We investigated the association between BMI and the risk of COPD among young individuals. Using the Korean National Health Information Database, we screened individuals aged 20-39 years who participated in the national health examination between 2009 and 2012.

Association of uveitis with pediatric autoimmune diseases based on a TriNetX study.

To investigate for the risk of uveitis among such patients. A retrospective cohort study utilized the TriNetX database and recruited pediatric autoimmune patients diagnosed between January 1st 2004 and December 31st 2022. The non-autoimmune cohort were randomly selected control patients matched by sex, age, and index year.

Oxidized phospholipid and transcriptomic signatures of THC-related vaping associated lung injury.

E-cigarette/vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) is strongly associated with vitamin E acetate and often occurs with concomitant tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use. To uncover pathways associated with EVALI, we examined cytokines, transcriptomic signatures, and lipidomic profiles in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from THC-EVALI patients. At a single center, we prospectively enrolled mechanically ventilated patients with EVALI from THC-containing products (N = 4) and patients with non-vaping acute lung injury and airway controls (N = 5).

The survival of B cells is compromised in kidney disease.

Antibody-mediated protection against pathogens is crucial to a healthy life. However, the recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has shown that pre-existing comorbid conditions including kidney disease account for compromised humoral immunity to infections. Individuals with kidney disease are not only susceptible to infections but also exhibit poor vaccine-induced antibody response.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced severe epidermal necrolysis mediated by macrophage-derived CXCL10 and abated by TNF blockade.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) represent new anticancer agents and have been used worldwide. However, ICI can potentially induce life-threatening severe cutaneous adverse reaction (SCAR), such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), hindering continuous ICI therapy. We examine 6 cohorts including 25 ICI-induced SJS/TEN patients and conduct single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis, which shows overexpression of macrophage-derived CXCL10 that recruits CXCR3 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in blister cells from ICI-SJS/TEN skin lesions.

Downregulation of semaphorin 4A in keratinocytes reflects the features of non-lesional psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a multifactorial disorder mediated by IL-17-producing T cells, involving immune cells and skin-constituting cells. Semaphorin 4A (Sema4A), an immune semaphorin, is known to take part in T helper type 1/17 differentiation and activation. However, Sema4A is also crucial for maintaining peripheral tissue homeostasis and its involvement in skin remains unknown.

JAK inhibition decreases the autoimmune burden in Down syndrome.

Background: Individuals with Down syndrome (DS), the genetic condition caused by trisomy 21 (T21), display clear signs of immune dysregulation, including high rates of autoimmunity and severe complications from infections. Although it is well established that T21 causes increased interferon responses and JAK/STAT signaling, elevated autoantibodies, global immune remodeling, and hypercytokinemia, the interplay between these processes, the clinical manifestations of DS, and potential therapeutic interventions remain ill defined.

Methods: We report a comprehensive analysis of immune dysregulation at the clinical, cellular, and molecular level in hundreds of individuals with DS, including autoantibody profiling, cytokine analysis, and deep immune mapping.

BLOC1S1 Control of Vacuolar Organelle Fidelity Modulates Murine T2 Cell Immunity and Allergy Susceptibility.

Background: The levels of biogenesis of lysosome organelles complex 1 subunit 1 (BLOC1S1) control mitochondrial and endolysosome organelle homeostasis and function. Reduced fidelity of these vacuolar organelles is increasingly being recognized as important in instigating cell-autonomous immune cell activation. We reasoned that exploring the role of BLOC1S1 in CD4 T cells may further advance our understanding of regulatory events linked to mitochondrial and/or endolysosomal function in adaptive immunity.

Silent Inflammation: A Case of Blurry Vision Raising Diagnostic Challenges in an Elderly Patient.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large vessel vasculitis with cranial and extracranial vessel involvement. Clinicians suspect GCA when a patient exhibits symptoms or exam findings of temporal headache with sudden vision loss, jaw or tongue claudication, scalp tenderness, abnormal temporal artery exam, and diagnostic findings, including elevated inflammatory markers. We present a case, which highlights that, despite established diagnostic measures, challenges persist.

Functional MRGPRX2 expression on peripheral blood-derived human mast cells increases at low seeding density and is suppressed by interleukin-9 and fetal bovine serum.

Primary human mast cells (MC) obtained through culturing of blood-derived MC progenitors are the preferred model for the study of MRGPRX2- IgE-mediated MC activation. In order to assess the impact of culture conditions on functional MRGPRX2 expression, we cultured CD34-enriched PBMC from peripheral whole blood (PB) and buffy coat (BC) samples in MethoCult medium containing stem cell factor (SCF) and interleukin (IL)-3, modified through variations in seeding density and adding or withholding IL-6, IL-9 and fetal bovine serum (FBS). Functional expression of MRGPRX2 was assessed after 4 weeks via flow cytometry.

Anti-IL-4Ra therapy is superior to other biologic classes in treating allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Background: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a disease resulting from an overactive type 2 response to . Initial studies suggest that asthma biologics can effectively treat ABPA, but it is unclear which biologic class is superior.

Objective: We sought to compare the effectiveness of asthma biologics in the treatment of ABPA.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergy.

Food allergy is defined as an adverse immunologic response to a food. Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated reactions to foods are associated with a broad range of signs and symptoms that may involve any of the following body systems: the skin, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and cardiovascular system. IgE-mediated food allergy is a leading cause of anaphylaxis.

Association between allergic rhinitis and development of autoimmune thyroid diseases in Egyptian patients.

Background: Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) and allergic rhinitis (AR) are prevalent conditions; however, limited research has investigated their association. This study aimed to evaluate whether AR can be considered a risk factor for developing AITD.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study analyzed the records of AITD patients who visited Alexandria University Students Hospital between January 2017 and December 2021.

Clinical significance of various pathogens identified in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD: a multi-center study in South Korea.

Background: Respiratory infection is a major cause of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). We investigated the presence of bacterial and viral pathogens and clinical features in patients with AECOPD.

Methods: This retrospective study included 1,186 patients diagnosed with AECOPD from 28 hospitals in South Korea between 2015-2018.

Effect of Corticosteroid Premedication on Adrenal Vein Sampling in Patients with Primary Aldosteronism and Iodinated Contrast Allergy.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of corticosteroid premedication on the performance of adrenal vein sampling (AVS) in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) and allergy to iodinated contrast media (ICM).

Materials And Methods: Patients who underwent AVS for PA, between September 1990 and October 2023, were retrospectively identified. Patients with ICM allergy who received corticosteroid pre-medication were matched 1:1 with patients without contrast allergy.

Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and Venous Thromboembolic Events Between Patients With Psoriasis or Psoriatic Arthritis on Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors, Interleukin-17 Inhibitors, Interleukin-12/23 Inhibitors and Interleukin-23 Inhibitors: An Emulated Target Trial Analysis.

Background: The risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in patients with psoriatic disease receiving biologics is not fully understood.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether novel biologic therapies (IL-17, IL-12/23, and IL-23 inhibitors) for biologic-naïve patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are associated with differences in the risks of MACE and VTE compared with those with TNF inhibitors.

Methods: An emulated target trial was designed by a nationwide cohort using data from the TriNetX Research Network.