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Journal of Investigative Medicine High... 2024Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) secondary to is rare, impacting <1% globally, with a mortality rate of up to 31%. Herein, we present a rare case of HLH... (Review)
Review
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) secondary to is rare, impacting <1% globally, with a mortality rate of up to 31%. Herein, we present a rare case of HLH secondary to , affecting a 57-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis. Extensive investigations were unrevealing and despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, her condition worsened, leading to respiratory failure requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, shock requiring multiple vasopressors, and acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring hemodialysis. Diagnosis confirmed disseminated histoplasmosis (DHP), prompting Amphotericin B and methylprednisolone treatment, resulting in significant improvement and discharge with posaconazole therapy. Secondary HLH, primarily arising from severe infections like DHP, is discussed. Limited research exists on this condition in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seronegative individuals. Diagnosis involves HLH-2004 and HScore criteria. Managing histoplasmosis-associated HLH remains challenging due to multiorgan failure risks and treatment complexities and needs further research.
Topics: Humans; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic; Histoplasmosis; Female; Middle Aged; Antifungal Agents; Histoplasma; Amphotericin B
PubMed: 38813977
DOI: 10.1177/23247096241258074 -
Heliyon May 2024Leishmaniasis is a major infectious disease having high mortality which could be attributed to lack of a suitable vaccine candidate. We propose a novel approach to...
Leishmaniasis is a major infectious disease having high mortality which could be attributed to lack of a suitable vaccine candidate. We propose a novel approach to design multiepitope vaccine to leishmaniasis exploiting specific membrane proteome from infected macrophage from host. The MHC-I, MHC-II and BC epitopes predicted for unique proteins from the infected macrophages and and a MEV designed in various combinations (1a-1m). The epitope arrangements 1a, 1k, 1l, and 1 m showed a strong antigenicity profile and immune response. The molecular dynamics simulation indicate the 1k, 1l, and 1 m constructs have strong affinity toward TLR-2, TLR-3, and TLR-4. Overall the structural and immunogenicity profile suggests 1k is top candidate. Further, a computational model system with TLR-2, TLR-3, TLR-4, BCR, MHC-I and MHC-II was generated for 1k construct to understand the MEV interactions with immune components. Dihedral distribution and distance was enumerated to understand the movement of immune components towards 1k. The results indicate 1k has strong affinity for the immune response molecules especially TLR-3, BCR and MHC-II are coming in close contact with the MEV through the simulation. The study suggests that designed multi-epitope vaccine 1k has potential to induce proper immune response but warrants further studies.
PubMed: 38813178
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31306 -
SAGE Open Medical Case Reports 2024A 33-year-old female was admitted for community-acquired pneumonia. On presentation, she was tachypneic and tachycardic and leukocytosis at 28,900/µL. Chest imaging...
A 33-year-old female was admitted for community-acquired pneumonia. On presentation, she was tachypneic and tachycardic and leukocytosis at 28,900/µL. Chest imaging showed dense consolidation on the right upper lobe. Due to refractory worsening respiratory failure, she was intubated with mechanical ventilation. Initial bronchoscopy with culture data was negative. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was pursued on the fourth day. Repeat bronchoscopy revealed targetoid ulcerative lesions with erythema in the right middle, lower lobes and left lower lobe. We describe a case of herpes simplex virus pneumonia in an immunocompetent patient that occurred in the setting of acute bacterial infection.
PubMed: 38812833
DOI: 10.1177/2050313X241256858 -
Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences 2024Intestinal neomucosa formation is a technique defined for the treatment of short bowel syndrome. This study evaluates the effect of glutamine and omega-3 fatty acids on...
BACKGROUND/AIM
Intestinal neomucosa formation is a technique defined for the treatment of short bowel syndrome. This study evaluates the effect of glutamine and omega-3 fatty acids on the growth of intestinal neomucosa on the colonic serosal surface has been evaluated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham, control, glutamine, and omega-3. Laparotomy was performed on all groups. For rats other than the sham group, a 1-cm full-thickness incision was made 4 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve, and colonic serosal surface was sutured as a serosal patch over these openings. By using the oral gavage technique, the glutamine group was ingested with 200 mg/kg/day of glutamine, and the omega-3 group was ingested with 100 mg/kg/day of omega-3 fatty acids. At the end of 14 days, the rats were euthanized, blood specimens were collected, and intestinal segments, including serosal patches, were excised.
RESULTS
Transforming growth factor-beta was significantly lower in the glutamine group compared to the control group. Similarly, fibroblast growth factor-2 was significantly lower in the glutamine group compared to the sham group. Intestinal neomucosa formation was observed in 100% of rats in the glutamine group. In the control and omega-3 groups, intestinal neomucosa formation was observed in 57.1% and 60% of rats, respectively. The inflammatory response, granulation tissue formation, and fibroblastic activity were more severe in the rats of the glutamine and omega-3 groups.
CONCLUSION
The intestinal neomucosa formation is an experimental technique, and both glutamine and omega-3 fatty acids have the potential to positively affect inflammatory response, granulation tissue formation, and fibroblastic activity. Specifically, glutamine has a favorable effect on intestinal neomucosa formation.
Topics: Animals; Glutamine; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Male; Rats; Colon; Short Bowel Syndrome; Serous Membrane; Intestinal Mucosa
PubMed: 38812652
DOI: 10.55730/1300-0144.5766 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024Tembusu virus (TMUV) is an important infectious disease, causing economic losses in duck production. Since the first report of TMUV infection in Vietnam in 2020, the...
Tembusu virus (TMUV) is an important infectious disease, causing economic losses in duck production. Since the first report of TMUV infection in Vietnam in 2020, the disease has persisted and affected poultry production in the country. This study conducted epidemiological and genetic characterization of the viral strains circulating in north Vietnam based on 130 pooled tissue samples collected in six provinces/cities during 2021. The TMUV genome was examined using conventional PCR. The results indicated that 21 (16.15%) samples and 9 (23.68%) farms were positive for the viral genome. The positive rate was 59.26% for ducks at ages 2-4 weeks, which was significantly higher than for ducks at ages >4 weeks and < 2 weeks. Genetic analysis of the partial envelope gene (891 bp) sequences indicated that the five Vietnamese TMUVs shared 99.55-100% nucleotide identity, while the rates were in the range 99.59-100% based on the pre-membrane gene sequences (498 bp). The five Vietnamese TMUV strains obtained formed a novel single subcluster. These strains were closely related to Chinese strains and differed from the vaccine strain, suggesting that Vietnamese TMUV strains were field viruses. It needs to be further studied on vaccine development to prevent effects of TMUV infection on poultry production across Vietnam.
PubMed: 38812564
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1366904 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024Serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and creatinine are commonly used biomarkers of renal function in cats. We hypothesize that the serum analytes creatinine and SDMA...
INTRODUCTION
Serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and creatinine are commonly used biomarkers of renal function in cats. We hypothesize that the serum analytes creatinine and SDMA are equally effective at detecting impaired renal function caused by meloxicam-induced renal injury in cats. Our primary objective was to compare serum concentrations of SDMA and creatinine in cats before, during, and after induction of renal injury from repeated dosages of meloxicam in the context of a small pilot study.
METHODS
This follow-up study results from data collected in a well-controlled study that included 12 healthy female adult purpose-bred cats. Cats in the treatment group received meloxicam 0.3 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) every 24 h for 31 days. Cats in the control group received saline (0.1 mL SC). Renal injury was defined as the presence of tubular damage, basement membrane damage, and/or interstitial inflammation in histological sections of kidney tissue. Serum creatinine and SDMA concentration were measured every 4 days.
RESULTS
In the control group, no cats developed renal azotemia. In the treatment group, four out of six cats developed elevated serum creatinine and histopathological evidence of renal injury. Three of these cats developed an elevation in serum SDMA. The time to the development of renal azotemia using serum creatinine or SDMA was not significantly different ( > 0.05).
DISCUSSION
In this pilot study, there was no evidence that serum SDMA was superior to serum creatinine at detecting impaired renal function caused by meloxicam-induced renal injury in cats.
PubMed: 38812562
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1395505 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024The purpose of this study was to improve the quality of frozen-thawed Piedmontese bull semen by incorporating MitoTEMPO (MT) in extended semen before cryopreservation....
The purpose of this study was to improve the quality of frozen-thawed Piedmontese bull semen by incorporating MitoTEMPO (MT) in extended semen before cryopreservation. Semen was collected from 4 fertile bulls, using an artificial vagina, once weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. Semen samples were pooled, diluted with Bullxcell extender, and supplemented with different concentrations of MT (0 as control, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 μM) before cooling, equilibration, and freezing procedures. The frozen-thawed semen was assessed for motility, vitality, acrosome intactness, plasma membrane integrity, DNA integrity, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular ROS level and fertilizing capability. The results showed that MT at concentrations of 10, 20, and 40 μM improved the total, progressive, and rapid motility directly after thawing while, at the highest tested concentration (80 μM), it decreased the progressive and rapid motility after 1, 2, and 3 h of incubation. The sperm kinetics including STR and LIN were noticeably increased at concentrations of 10, 20, and 40 μM directly after thawing (0 h), whereas the MT effect was variable on the other sperm kinetics during the different incubation periods. MitoTEMPO improved the sperm vitality at all tested concentrations, while the acrosomal and DNA integrity were improved at 20 μM and the mitochondrial membrane potentials was increased at 80 μM. The cleavage and blastocyst formation rates were significantly increased by using semen treated with 20 μM MT compared with controls. These findings suggest a potential use of MT mainly at a concentration of 20 μM as an additive in the cryopreservation media of bull semen to improve sperm quality.
PubMed: 38812559
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1376057 -
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience Apr 2024The genome of the Nipah virus (NiV) encodes a variety of structural proteins linked to a diverse array of symptoms, including fevers, headaches, somnolence, and... (Review)
Review
The genome of the Nipah virus (NiV) encodes a variety of structural proteins linked to a diverse array of symptoms, including fevers, headaches, somnolence, and respiratory impairment. In instances of heightened severity, it can also invade the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in more pronounced problems. This work investigates the effects of NiV on the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the vital physiological layer responsible for safeguarding the CNS by regulating the passage of chemicals into the brain selectively. To achieve this, the researchers (MMJAO, AM and MNMD) searched a variety of databases for relevant articles on NiV and BBB disruption, looking for evidence of work on inflammation, immune response (cytokines and chemokines), tight junctions (TJs), and basement membranes related to NiV and BBB. Based on these works, it appears that the affinity of NiV for various receptors, including Ephrin-B2 and Ephrin-B3, has seen many NiV infections begin in the respiratory epithelium, resulting in the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. The virus then gains entry into the circulatory system, offering it the potential to invade brain endothelial cells (ECs). NiV also has the ability to infect the leukocytes and the olfactory pathway, offering it a "Trojan horse" strategy. When NiV causes encephalitis, the CNS generates a strong inflammatory response, which makes the blood vessels more permeable. Chemokines and cytokines all have a substantial influence on BBB disruption, and NiV also has the ability to affect TJs, leading to disturbances in the structural integrity of the BBB. The pathogen's versatility is also shown by its capacity to impact multiple organ systems, despite particular emphasis on the CNS. It is of the utmost importance to comprehend the mechanisms by which NiV impacts the integrity of the BBB, as such comprehension has the potential to inform treatment approaches for NiV and other developing viral diseases. Nevertheless, the complicated pathophysiology and molecular pathways implicated in this phenomenon have offered several difficult challenges to researchers to date, underscoring the need for sustained scientific investigation and collaboration in the ongoing battle against this powerful virus.
Topics: Blood-Brain Barrier; Nipah Virus; Humans; Henipavirus Infections; Animals; Viral Tropism
PubMed: 38812392
DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2305090 -
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience May 2024Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a prominent cause of neonatal mortality and neurodevelopmental disorders; however, effective therapeutic interventions remain... (Review)
Review
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a prominent cause of neonatal mortality and neurodevelopmental disorders; however, effective therapeutic interventions remain limited. During neonatal hypoxic-ischemic injury events, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and decreased antioxidant levels lead to the induction of oxidative stress, which plays a pivotal role in the pathological process of neonatal HIE. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key endogenous antioxidant transcription factor that protects against oxidative stress by promoting the transcription of various antioxidant genes. It has been demonstrated that Nrf2 signaling pathway activation by different compounds may protect against neonatal HIE. This review outlines the role of oxidative stress in neonatal HIE and summarizes the impact of antioxidants on neonatal HIE via activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway. In conclusion, Nrf2 signaling pathway potentially exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic and antiferroptotic effects, thereby emerging as a focal point for future neonatal HIE treatment strategies.
Topics: Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain; Humans; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Infant, Newborn; Animals; Oxidative Stress; Antioxidants; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 38812389
DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2305103 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... May 2024Changes in myocardial mitochondrial morphology and function in premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)-induced cardiomyopathy (PVCCM) remain poorly studied. Here, we...
AIMS
Changes in myocardial mitochondrial morphology and function in premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)-induced cardiomyopathy (PVCCM) remain poorly studied. Here, we investigated the effects of PVCs with different coupling intervals (CIs) on myocardial mitochondrial remodelling in a canine model of PVCCM.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Twenty-one beagles underwent pacemaker implantation and were randomised into the sham (n = 7), short-coupled PVCs (SCP, n = 7), and long-coupled PVCs (LCP, n = 7) groups. Right ventricular (RV) apical bigeminy was produced for 12-week to induce PVCCM in the SCP (CI, 250 ms) and LCP (CI, 350 ms) groups. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and biweekly thereafter to evaluate cardiac function. Masson's trichrome staining measured ventricular interstitial fibrosis. The ultrastructural morphology of the myocardial mitochondria was analysed using transmission electron microscopy. Mitochondrial Ca2+ concentration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, membrane potential, and electron transport chain (ETC) complex activity were measured to assess myocardial mitochondrial function. Twelve-week-PVCs led to left ventricular (LV) enlargement with systolic dysfunction, disrupted mitochondrial morphology, increased mitochondrial Ca2+ concentration and ROS levels, decreased mitochondrial ATP content and membrane potential, and impaired ETC complex activity in both the SCP and LCP groups (all < 0.01 the sham group). Ventricular fibrosis was observed only in canines with LCP. Worse cardiac function and more pronounced abnormalities in mitochondrial morphology and function were observed in the LCP group than to the SCP group (all < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
We demonstrated myocardial mitochondrial abnormalities in dogs with PVCCM, characterised by abnormal mitochondrial morphology, mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, oxidative stress, and impaired mitochondrial energy metabolism. Compared to SCP, long-term LCP exposure resulted in more severe mitochondrial remodelling and cardiac dysfunction in dogs.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Mitochondria, Heart; Cardiomyopathies; Disease Models, Animal; Ventricular Premature Complexes; Reactive Oxygen Species; Calcium; Male; Adenosine Triphosphate; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; Echocardiography
PubMed: 38812311
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2905200