Search

Mycobacterium abscessus is a rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium that causes severe pulmonary infections. Recent studies indicate that ferroptosis may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of M. abscessus pulmonary disease. We obtained gene expression microarray data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, focusing on THP-1-derived macrophages infected with M. abscessus and uninfected controls. Differentially expressed genes related to ferroptosis were identified through weighted gene co-expression network analysis and the "limma" package, followed by gene set variation analysis and gene set enrichment analysis for enrichment assessment. To explore regulatory network relationships among hub genes, we constructed RBP-mRNA, ceRNA, and TF-mRNA networks. Additionally, a protein-protein interaction network was built, and functional enrichment analyses were conducted for the hub genes. The diagnostic value of these genes was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Six differentially expressed genes associated with ferroptosis were identified in M. abscessus infection. The receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated that these genes had excellent predictive value for the infection. Functional enrichment analysis showed that these genes were involved in immune responses, inflammation, cellular metabolism, cell death, and apoptosis. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed significant enrichment in pathways related to apoptosis, inflammation, and hypoxia. The RBP-mRNA network highlighted significant interactions between hub genes and key RNA-binding proteins, while the ceRNA network predicted that miRNAs and lncRNAs regulate ferroptosis-related genes NACC2 and ITPKB. Furthermore, interactions between the hub gene HSD3B7 and transcription factors LMNB1 and ASCL1 may promote ferroptosis in macrophages by influencing iron metabolism and reactive oxygen species production, contributing to the M. abscessus infection process. Our findings identified biomarkers linked to ferroptosis in M. abscessus infection, providing new insights into its pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) makes up about 85% of lung cancer cases, mainly adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Recently, PD-1 inhibitors have become crucial in NSCLC treatment, significantly enhancing survival for some. However, side effects, like skin reactions and hematotoxicity, limit their use, with drug-induced TEN and immunotherapy-induced agranulocytosis as severe adverse effects., Case Presentation: Herein, we have reported the case of a 75-year-old male diagnosed with metastatic Lung Squamous cell Carcinoma (LUSC) in the left lung. He received first-line treatment with one cycle of tislelizumab in combination with nab-paclitaxel and carboplatin, after which he developed Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) and granulocytopenia. To address these two serious immune-related Adverse Events (irAEs), the patient was administered methylprednisolone in combination with gamma globulin for TEN and dexamethasone in combination with G-CSF for agranulocytosis. Antibiotics were also administered according to the patient's medication regimen. After treatment, the patient recovered and was discharged from the hospital. It was also noted that the lung tumor condition improved., Conclusion: Effective management of severe immune-related side effects from tislelizumab, including TEN and agranulocytosis, can be partly achieved through steroids, gamma globulin, GCSF, and antibiotics. This strategy not only alleviates these adverse effects, but also potentially improves tumor conditions, highlighting the crucial role of vigilant monitoring and management in immunotherapy., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Since mid-December 2019, a cluster of pneumonia-like diseases caused by a novel coronavirus, now designated COVID-19 by the WHO, emerged in Wuhan city and rapidly spread throughout China. Here we identify the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in a cohort of patients in Shanghai., Methods: Cases were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR and were analysed for demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological features., Results: Of 198 patients, the median duration from disease onset to hospital admission was 4 days. The mean age of the patients was 50.1 years, and 51.0% patients were male. The most common symptom was fever. Less than half of the patients presented with respiratory systems including cough, sputum production, itchy or sore throat, shortness of breath, and chest congestion. 5.6% patients had diarrhoea. On admission, T lymphocytes were decreased in 45.8% patients. Ground glass opacity was the most common radiological finding on chest computed tomography. 9.6% were admitted to the ICU because of the development of organ dysfunction. Compared with patients not treated in ICU, patients treated in the ICU were older, had longer waiting time to admission, fever over 38.5o C, dyspnoea, reduced T lymphocytes, elevated neutrophils and organ failure., Conclusions: In this single centre cohort of COVID-19 patients, the most common symptom was fever, and the most common laboratory abnormality was decreased blood T cell counts. Older age, male, fever over 38.5oC, symptoms of dyspnoea, and underlying comorbidity, were the risk factors most associated with severity of disease., Key Words: 2019 novel coronavirus; acute respiratory infection; risk factors for disease severity.