Interlobular Septal Thickening in a Young Man With Dyspnea.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old man with a history of childhood asthma, a 15-pack-year smoking history, and methamphetamine abuse was intubated and started on mechanical ventilation because of acute hypoxic respiratory failure after experiencing progressive dyspnea and a nonproductive cough over the previous year. During the previous 3 months, he had multiple clinic visits, with chest radiographs showing diffuse, bilateral, reticulonodular opacities and small bilateral pleural effusions and was treated for community-acquired pneumonia. Testing for COVID pneumonia was negative, and he failed to respond to antimicrobial therapy. Physical examination on admission showed diffuse fine crackles bilaterally on lung auscultation. Admission laboratory test results were unremarkable.

Prognostic and immunological value of ATP6AP1 in breast cancer: implications for SARS-CoV-2.

Abnormal ATPase H+ Transporting Accessory Protein 1 (ATP6AP1) expression may promote carcinogenesis. We investigated the association of ATP6AP1 with breast cancer (BC) and COVID-19. The Oncomine, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, Human Protein Atlas and Kaplan-Meier plotter databases were used to evaluate the expression and prognostic value of ATP6AP1 in BC. ATP6AP1 was upregulated in BC tissues, and higher ATP6AP1 expression was associated with poorer outcomes. Data from the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource, Tumor-Immune System Interaction Database and Kaplan-Meier plotter indicated that ATP6AP1 expression correlated with immune infiltration, and that its prognostic effects in BC depended on tumor-infiltrating immune cell subtype levels. Multiple databases were used to evaluate the association of ATP6AP1 with clinicopathological factors, assess the mutation and methylation of ATP6AP1, and analyze gene co-expression and enrichment. The ATP6AP1 promoter was hypomethylated in BC tissues and differentially methylated between different disease stages and subtypes. Data from the Gene Expression Omnibus indicated that ATP6AP1 levels in certain cell types were reduced after SARS-CoV-2 infections. Ultimately, higher ATP6AP1 expression was associated with a poorer prognosis and with higher or lower infiltration of particular immune cells in BC. BC patients may be particularly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infections, which may alter their prognoses.

COVID-19 and Malignancy: Exploration of the possible genetic and epigenetic interlinks and overview of the vaccination scenario.

BACKGROUND: Malignancy is one of the prime global causes of mortality. Cancer Patients suffering from SARS-CoV-2 have demonstrated higher rates of severe complications exacerbating towards death. Possible genetic and epigenetic alterations may exist in cancer patients which have the potential to contribute towards their increased vulnerability towards COVID-19. METHOD: An exhaustive literature search using 'COVID-19', 'SARS-CoV-2', 'Cancer', 'Malignancy', 'Relationships', Interlinks', 'Genetic', 'Epigenetic', 'Epidemiological studies', 'Clinical Studies', 'Vaccination', 'Vaccine scenario' were conducted in PubMed and EMBASE till 2nd June 2021. RESULT: In this narrative review, 17 epidemiological studies were listed which focused on clinical parameters of several malignancy patient cohorts who contracted COVID-19. Besides, genetic and epigenetic alterations seen among cancer patients are also discussed which may plausibly increase the vulnerability of cancer patients to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Also, global vaccination scenario among malignant patients along with the necessity to prioritize them in the vaccination campaigns are also elaborated. CONCLUSION: Genetic and epigenetic modifications present in ACE2, TMPRSS2, IL-6 and several cytokines require more in-depth research to elucidate the shared mechanisms of malignancy and SARS-CoV-2.

Metal Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Sensing: Progress and Challenges in the Clinical Transition of Point-of-Care Testing.

With the rise in public health awareness, research on point-of-care testing (POCT) has significantly advanced. Electrochemical biosensors (ECBs) are one of the most promising candidates for the future of POCT due to their quick and accurate response, ease of operation, and cost effectiveness. This review focuses on the use of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) for fabricating ECBs that has a potential to be used for POCT. The field has expanded remarkably from its initial enzymatic and immunosensor-based setups. This review provides a concise categorization of the ECBs to allow for a better understanding of the development process. The influence of structural aspects of MNPs in biocompatibility and effective sensor design has been explored. The advances in MNP-based ECBs for the detection of some of the most prominent cancer biomarkers (carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 125 (CA125), Herceptin-2 (HER2), etc.) and small biomolecules (glucose, dopamine, hydrogen peroxide, etc.) have been discussed in detail. Additionally, the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) ECBs have been briefly discussed. Beyond that, the limitations and challenges that ECBs face in clinical applications are examined and possible pathways for overcoming these limitations are discussed.