Flares and Predicting Factors of Flares in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Associated with Different Doses and Types of COVID-19 Vaccines.

: To compare disease activity and flares among different doses and types of COVID-19 vaccines in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. SLE patients in a lupus cohort, who received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (inactivated virus, adenovirus-vectored, or mRNA vaccines) between March and October 2022 joined this study. The data regarding disease activity and flares after each dose were reviewed and compared.

Integrated Approaches for the Delivery of Maternal and Child Health Services with Childhood Immunization Programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Systematic Review Update 2011-2020.

: The integration of maternal and child health services (MCH) with routine immunization is an important global health strategy, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, evidence is lacking regarding the best practices for service integration and the effect of integration on immunization and linked health service outcomes. : We searched publication databases and gray literature for articles published between 2011 and 2020 that include approaches to integrating MCH services with immunizations during the first two years of life in LMICs.

Nutraceutical Properties of Thai Mulberry ( L.) and Their Effects on Metabolic and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Individuals with Obesity: A Randomized, Single-Blind Crossover Trial.

: Mulberries exhibit antioxidant properties that may attenuate metabolic abnormalities. Kamphaeng Saen mulberry (KPS-MB-42-1) contains anthocyanins, polyphenols, and nutrients, but few studies have explored its benefits for human health. This study investigated the effects of a concentrated mulberry drink (CMD) from the KPS-MB-42-1 cultivar on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in obese individuals.

The Small GTPase Ran Increases Sensitivity of Ovarian Cancer Cells to Oncolytic Vesicular Stomatitis Virus.

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer, and with the majority of patients dying within the first five years of diagnosis, new therapeutic options are required. The small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) Ras-related nuclear protein (Ran) has been reported to be highly expressed in high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOCs) and associated with poor outcomes. Blocking Ran function or preventing its expression were shown to be promising treatment strategies, however, there are currently no small molecule inhibitors available to specifically inhibit Ran function.

Evaluating the Binding Potential and Stability of Drug-like Compounds with the Monkeypox Virus VP39 Protein Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Free Energy Analysis.

Monkeypox is a re-emerging viral disease with features of infectiously transmitted zoonoses. It is now considered a public health priority because of its rising incidence and transmission from person to person. Monkeypox virus (MPXV) VP39 protein is identified as an essential protein for replication of the virus, and therefore, it is a potential target for antiviral drugs.

Enhancement of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Specific CD8 T Cell Responses with TIGIT Blockade Involves Trogocytosis.

Natural killer (NK) and CD8 T cell function is compromised in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection by increased expression of inhibitory receptors such as TIGIT (T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains). Blocking inhibitory receptors or their ligands with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) has potential to improve antiviral immunity in general and facilitate HIV eradication strategies. We assessed the impact of TIGIT engagement and blockade on cytotoxicity, degranulation, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production by CD8 T cells from persons living with HIV (PLWH).

BLV-CoCoMo Dual qPCR Assay Targeting LTR Region for Quantifying Bovine Leukemia Virus: Comparison with Multiplex Real-Time qPCR Assay Targeting Region.

The proviral load (PVL) of the bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is a useful index for estimating disease progression and transmission risk. Real-time quantitative PCR techniques are widely used for PVL quantification. We previously developed a dual-target detection method, the "Liquid Dual-CoCoMo assay", that uses the coordination of common motif (CoCoMo) degenerate primers.

Seasonal Dynamics of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Republic of Korea.

Tick-borne diseases are a public health problem and a significant burden on the livestock industry. The seasonal abundance of ticks and tick-borne pathogens strongly correlates with the prevalence of these diseases. To investigate the seasonal variation in ticks and tick-borne pathogens, ticks were collected from Gangwon State, Korea, and the tick-borne pathogens , , , and were examined.

Infection in Canada: A Retrospective Laboratory Study and Systematic Review of the Literature.

is a body-louse-borne bacterium. Canadian disease has been reported primarily in populations experiencing homelessness and in Indigenous communities with limited access to water. We sought to understand the epidemiology of in Canada.

Clinical Utility of Induced Sputum and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cultures in Diagnosing Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease.

Diagnosing non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) in patients unable to produce sputum spontaneously requires invasive procedures to obtain valid respiratory specimens. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the results of microbiological tests performed on respiratory samples of 132 patients affected by NTM-PD. In the diagnostic workout, 98 patients performed both induced sputum (IS) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and were enrolled in our study.

Examining Infant and Child Neurodevelopmental Outcomes After Lyme Disease During Pregnancy.

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. Recent environmental and socioecological changes have led to an increased incidence of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, which enhances the urgency of identifying and mitigating adverse outcomes of Lyme disease exposure. Lyme disease during pregnancy, especially when untreated, may lead to adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes; however, long-term child outcomes following utero exposure to Lyme disease have not yet been systematically assessed.

Prevalence of Non-Viral Bloodborne Pathogens Among Healthy Blood Donors in Western Mexico: Problems and Failures of Public Health Policy.

Background And Objectives: Non-viral bloodborne diseases are a group of infections that are a public health problem worldwide. The incidence of diseases such as brucellosis and syphilis is increasing in the Americas and Europe. Chagas disease is an endemic problem in Latin America, the United States and Europe.

The Phytochemical Properties of Low-Grade Longan Syrup and Its Potential Use as a Dietary Supplement for Honey Bees.

Climate change significantly affects honey bee populations and their access to natural food sources, demanding alternative economic feed sources. Longan stands out as the most important fruit crop in Southeast Asia, but with a surplus of low-grade fruit that is not suitable for the market. This study investigates the potential of longan syrup as an alternative carbohydrate source for honey bees by measuring sugar composition, phytochemical profiles, feed, and survival, as well as the resulting gut microbial changes.

Insights into Within-Host Evolution and Dynamics of Oral and Intestinal Streptococci Unveil Niche Adaptation.

The oral-gut axis is a complex system linking the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract, impacting host health and microbial composition. This study investigates genetic changes and adaptive mechanisms employed by streptococci-one of the few genera capable of colonizing oral and intestinal niches-within the same individual. We conducted whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on 218 streptococcal isolates from saliva and fecal samples of 14 inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and 12 healthy controls.

Compared Inhibitory Activities of Tamoxifen and Avenanthramide B on Liver Esterase and Correlation Based on the Superimposed Structure Between Porcine and Human Liver Esterase.

Exposure to tamoxifen can exert effects on the human liver, and esterases process prodrugs such as antibiotics and convert them to less toxic metabolites. In this study, the porcine liver esterase (PLE)-inhibitory activity of tamoxifen has been investigated. PLE showed inhibition of a PLE isoenzyme (PLE5).

Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Hemodialysis Patients in the Era of Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment: Observational Study and Narrative Review.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global public health concern, particularly in hemodialysis (HD) patients. This study aims to evaluate the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of HCV-positive patients undergoing HD and assess the long-term impact of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) on patient outcomes. Moreover, a narrative review aims to summarize the current knowledge regarding HCV treatment in HD patients.

Cathelicidin in Urinary Tract Diseases: Diagnostic, Prognostic and Therapeutic Potential of an Evolutionary Conserved Antimicrobial Protein.

Despite being one of the most common infectious diseases, urinary tract infections (UTIs) still represent a challenge for clinicians to diagnose and treat, especially in the era of growing antibiotic resistance among uropathogenic bacteria. Recent studies investigating the pathophysiology of UTIs have discovered the prominent role of antimicrobial peptides in the urinary tract defense system. Cathelicidin is an evolutionary conserved antimicrobial peptide encoded by one single gene in humans.

Patterns of C1-Inhibitor Plasma Levels and Kinin-Kallikrein System Activation in Relation to COVID-19 Severity.

Background: Although more than four years have passed since the pandemic began, SARS-CoV-2 continues to be of concern. Therefore, research into the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the development of the disease, especially in more severe forms, remains a priority. Sustained activation of the complement (CS), contact (CAS), and fibrinolytic and kinin-kallikrein systems (KKS) has been shown to play a central role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Genomic Medicine in the Developing World: Cancer Spectrum, Cumulative Risk and Survival Outcomes for Lynch Syndrome Variant Heterozygotes with Germline Pathogenic Variants in the and Genes.

: Although genetic testing has improved our ability to diagnose Lynch syndrome (LS), there is still limited information on the extent of variations in the clinical and genetic landscape among LS variant heterozygotes (LSVH) in Africa. We sought to investigate the cancer spectrum, cumulative risk, and survival outcomes of LSVH with pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (P/LPVs) in the and genes using a LS registry in South Africa over the last 30 years. : A retrospective study was conducted to retrieve demographic, clinical, and genetic data of all LSVH with P/LPVs in the and genes from our LS registry.

A 15-Year Observational Cohort of Acute Empyema at a Single-Center in Japan.

Despite the advancements in diagnostic methods and antibiotic treatment, empyema is a critical respiratory infection, showing a high mortality rate of 10-25%. To evaluate the bacterial etiology and prognostic factors of acute empyema, we conducted this long-term retrospective cohort study at our institute between 2008 and 2022. A total of 80 patients were enrolled in this cohort.

Severe Panton-Valentine-Leukocidin-Positive Infections in Pediatric Age: A Case Report and a Literature Review.

Infections caused by S. aureus strains encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL-SA) have become increasingly relevant in community settings and can cause severe conditions in pediatric populations. We present the pediatric case of an invasive disease caused by PVL-SA and provide a literature review of severe manifestations caused by these strains in children.

Assessing the Theoretical Efficacy of Combination Therapy Against Gram-Negative Infections in Neutropenic Pediatric Cancer Patients: Insights from the Statistical Analysis of Survey Data.

: Empirical antibacterial therapy for febrile neutropenia reduces mortality due to Gram-negative blood stream infections (BSIs). Pediatric guidelines recommend monotherapy with an antipseudomonal beta-lactam or a carbapenem and to add a second anti-Gram-negative agent in selected situations. We evaluated the changes in the proportions of resistance of beta-lactam monotherapies vs.

Unveiling the Dynamics of Antimicrobial Resistance: A Year-Long Surveillance (2023) at the Largest Infectious Disease Profile Hospital in Western Romania.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health threat, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. This study aimed to identify the most common bacterial pathogens and their resistance profiles from 2179 positive clinical cultures from inpatients at "Victor Babes" Hospital of Infectious Disease and Pneumoftiziology Timisoara in 2023. Samples were collected from sputum, bronchial aspiration, hemoculture, urine, wound secretions, catheter samples, and other clinical specimens.

Repurposed Drugs and Plant-Derived Natural Products as Potential Host-Directed Therapeutic Candidates for Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of death due to infectious disease. It is a treatable disease; however, conventional treatment requires a lengthy treatment regimen with severe side effects, resulting in poor compliance among TB patients. Intermittent drug use, the non-compliance of patients, and prescription errors, among other factors, have led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant TB, while the mismanagement of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) has eventually led to the development of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB).