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Hove Morse posted an update 1 week ago
Understanding the causative epigenetic changes of loss-of-function has led to the development of novel therapeutic agents in cancer. DDR and related genes were found frequently methylated in human cancers, including BRCA1/2, MGMT, WRN, MLH1, CHFR, P16 and APC. Both genetic and epigenetic alterations may serve as synthetic lethal therapeutic markers.SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2) has been reported to infect domesticated animals in a species-specific manner, where cats were susceptible but not dogs. Elamipretide Using the recently published crystal structure of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein complexed with the human host cell receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), we characterized the structure and evolution of ACE2 in several of these species and identify a single interacting amino acid residue conserved between human and Felidae ACE2 but not in Canidae that correlates with virus susceptibility. Using computational analyses we describe how this site likely affects ACE2 targeting by the virus. Thus, we highlight how evolution-based approaches can be used to form hypotheses and study animal transmission of such viruses in the future.Mechanical ventilation in the asthmatic child may be complicated by dynamic air trapping leading to hemodynamic compromise and cardiac arrest. High-frequency oscillatory ventilation is relatively contraindicated because it may cause hyperinflation compared to conventional mechanical ventilation. A 2-year-old girl (weight, 11 kg) with a history of asthma was admitted because of status asthmaticus. Despite treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone, continuous albuterol, terbutaline, aminophylline, and magnesium sulfate, she had persistent respiratory distress. She required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation because of worsening respiratory fatigue and hypercarbia ((PCO2), 96 mm Hg). Severe airflow obstruction persisted, and the hypercarbia worsened despite conventional mechanical ventilation (PCO2 > 134 mm Hg). It was judged that the patient was at risk for dynamic air trapping leading to hemodynamic compromise and cardiac arrest. High-frequency oscillatory ventilation was started to overcome airflow obstruction, and a decrease in arterial PCO2 to 87 mm Hg was observed within 2 h. High-frequency oscillatory ventilation was discontinued after 5 h, and conventional mechanical ventilation resumed. The patient was extubated after 5 days without further complications. In summary, this case shows that high-frequency oscillatory ventilation may be considered as a rescue treatment in children who have severe status asthmaticus with persistent airflow obstruction and hypercarbia unresponsive to pharmacological therapy and conventional mechanical ventilation.A 13-week-old baby was referred with dextrocardia, situs inversus, transposition of the great arteries, intact ventricular septum, patent foramen ovale, right aortic arch with severe preductal aortic coarctation and large patent ductus arteriosus. Left ventricular mass index as well as thickness was adequate, 118 g/m2 and 5.9 mm, respectively; thus, a primary arterial switch with aortic coarctation repair was performed. The patient made a full recovery without the need for extracorporeal life support. Adequate left ventricular mass index and thickness in late-presenting transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum might justify primary arterial switch.An aberrant origin of the right subclavian artery arising as the most distal vessel from the aortic arch is an uncommon but clinically important anomaly. Its abnormal course may result in esophageal compression with dysphagia, or tracheal compression resulting in asthma or stridor, and can greatly complicate radial artery access for coronary angiography. When an aberrant right subclavian artery is obstructed by atherosclerotic plaque, it may produce symptoms of arm ischemia such as pain and weakness. For the past 75 years, the standard treatment approach for symptomatic aberrant right subclavian artery has been surgical correction. There are only three case reports of percutaneous therapy, all for nonocclusive stenosis. There are no reported cases of percutaneous treatment of a completely occluded aberrant right subclavian artery. We report a patient with exertional right arm heaviness and weakness who was found to have a 60-mm long aberrant right subclavian artery occlusion. The blockage was successfully treated with angioplasty and placement of a single stent using percutaneous vascular access. Chest computerized tomography and duplex ultrasonography 5 years after treatment demonstrated a patent stent. At 7-year follow-up, she remained symptom-free and had a normal radial pulse. This case represents the first report of total occlusion of aberrant right subclavian artery treated percutaneously. Long-term durability supports this as a viable alternative to surgery in appropriately selected patients.A patient with morbid obesity and several psychiatric comorbidities underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and experienced success with weight loss. However, she experienced lightheadedness, nausea, and a fall and was admitted to the hospital for encephalopathy due to lithium toxicity. The pharmacokinetics of lithium is altered following bariatric surgery. Due to these factors, adjustments were made to the patient’s lithium therapy, her levels were subsequently reduced into the therapeutic range, and she continued with no further issues. Mechanisms of lithium toxicity following bariatric surgery and a monitoring protocol to prevent toxicity are discussed.Macular hemorrhage can occur spontaneously and repeatedly without choroidal neovascularization or other known lesions associated with myopia. We report a case of repeated myopic macular hemorrhage following fish oil supplementation. A 32-year-old male was referred with newly acquired paracentral scotoma in the left eye. Serial retinal imaging, including fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography were performed. Fundus photography and fluorescein angiography showed a subtle red-colored lesion nasal to the fovea. Optical coherence tomography showed a dome shaped elevation in the ellipsoid zone and interdigitation zone in the left eye. No known ocular risk factors for macular hemorrhage, such as choroidal neovascularization, lacquer cracks, Fuch’s spot or choroid thinning or keratoconus were observed. After 2 months without any treatment, the left eye lesion disappeared. However 2 weeks later, another newly developed red-colored lesion close to the left fovea was observed.