Articles

An autoimmune condition known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) affects several systems and manifests itself in a variety of ways. It is far more common among young women who are fertile.It has been demonstrated that a mix of environmental and genetic variables may trigger immunological responses, triggering T and B cells, and leading the B cells to overproduce pathogenic autoantibodies and dysregulate cytokines, which ultimately result in harm to many organs and tissues. One feature of SLE is the presence of antibodies against cytoplasmic and nuclear antigens. An autoimmune illness is also type 1 diabetes. β-cell antibodies (Ab) and other antibodies that cause the autoimmune death of the pancreatic β-cells, which make insulin, are part of the multifactorial pathophysiology of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).Immunosuppression is the therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and diabetes itself compromises immunity, making infections more opportunistic. We came across an unusual instance of a patient with SLE, T1DM, hypothyroidism on immunosuppression who subsequently acquired pulmonary TB.Key phrase: Autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) is one of the rare reasons for hypercalcemia. FHH is an autosomal dominant disease that is inheritable. The most common calcium sensitive receptors (CaSR) develop because of the inactivation of. In addition, they also develop due to the function loss of AP2S1 and GNA11. The FHH sickness is characterized by hypercalcemia, hypocalciuria, the regular or increased level of the parathyroid hormone, and normal renal function. The symptoms of hypercalcemia are usually not observed. It is often diagnosed by calculating the calcium/creatine clearance ratio of a 24-hour urine sample, and then genetically looking at it. FHH is usually a benign disorder, and when symptomatic and rarely complications develop, calcimimetics are used or parathyroidectomy can be performed. In conclusion, FHH is a benign and genetically transmitted, moderate cause of hypercalcemia. It is rare and usually asymptomatic.

Introduction: Cognitive impairment is defined as a new deficit in at least two areas of cognitive functioning. These may include disturbances in memory, executive functioning, attention or speed of information processing, perceptual motor abilities, or language. It has been shown that cognitive impairment is associated with the severity of kidney disease. Methods: The study was a descriptive research design, with participants purposively sampled from the general chronic kidney disease population which included haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria, Gauteng Province, South Africa. Hundred and fifty-one participants (76 hemodialysis & 75 peritoneal dialysis patients), 58% were males, and 42% were females aged 19-61 years. To establish the prevalence of cognitive impairment by testing the level of cognition the Mini-Mental State Examination was utilized to provide a brief screening test to quantitatively assess the cognitive abilities and cognitive changes of patients while on dialysis. Results: Ninety-nine percent (99%) of the recruited population reported no cognitive impairment, irrespective of dialysis modality, demographic characteristics, and socio-economic status. Conclusion: Despite the findings highlighting that the majority of the chronic kidney disease population at Steve Biko Academic Hospital reported no cognitive impairment, it is crucial to increase awareness of the potential effects of cognitive impairment on daily activities, quality of life, and treatment adherence. Early detection and management of cognitive impairment can significantly impact the quality of life and adherence to treatment among these patients. Further research is needed to understand the prevalence and impact of cognitive impairment in different populations and to develop effective interventions for its prevention and management.

Social insects have eradicated the instincts inherited from their solitary ancestors that were harmful to communities. The elimination of these instincts was accomplished by natural selection, the units of which were communities. Man has not yet eradicated the instincts inherited from their solitary animal ancestors that were harmful to communities. But their eradication is underway. And it is also being accomplished by natural selection, the units of which are societies. Completion of evolution in this direction will probably lead to the disappearance of human instincts harmful to society, as they have disappeared in social insects. This will happen after a period of time measured not by historical standards, but by geological.

This study presents a comprehensive simulation and analysis of photonic band gaps in one-dimensional (1D) photonic crystals using the open-source software MEEP. Photonic crystals, with their periodic structures, exhibit photonic bandgaps that prevent the propagation of specific wavelengths of light, making them crucial for various optical applications. Unlike previous studies that primarily focused on theoretical and experimental methods, this research introduces a novel computational approach that enhances the accuracy and flexibility of modeling these bandgaps. Through detailed simulations, we explore the impact of different structural parameters on the photonic bandgap properties, providing valuable insights into optimizing these crystals for practical use. Our findings demonstrate significant improvements in the design and understanding of 1D photonic crystals, particularly in tailoring bandgaps for specific applications in optical devices. This work contributes to the advancement of photonic crystal technology by offering a robust framework for their analysis and application.

Xanthogranulomatosis is an uncommon disease affecting non-Langerhans histiocytes. Laryngeal involvement is very rare.We describe the clinical case of an adult patient with disseminated xanthogranulomas affecting the supraglottic region of the larynx, leading to thickening and immobility of the epiglottis. The patient experienced inspiratory dyspnea on exertion. A transoral supraglottic epiglottectomy was performed, and a tracheostomy was subsequently required.

Coronary artery aneurysm is an uncommon condition defined as abnormal dilatation of the coronary artery.We report the case of a man admitted to the Emergency Department for suspected intestinal obstruction. At abdominal/thoracic Computed Tomography (CT) it was reported a suspected pericardial cyst. Contrast echocardiography showed a clear pattern of blood flow inside the mass with a probable origin at a very limited region where it was also possible to sample an ECG-synchronized system-diastolic Pulse-Wave (PW)-Doppler pattern, typical for a coronary artery flow. Our suspicion of a giant coronary artery aneurysm was then confirmed by coronary CT and coronary angiography. The patient was transferred to a Cardiac Surgery center where he underwent surgical treatment for the aneurysm.Most coronary aneurysms are clinically silent and are often incidentally detected. Coronary angiography is the ‘‘gold standard’’ for diagnosis and evaluation of coronary artery aneurysms. Among non-invasive diagnostic techniques, Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography is the best method for coronary artery anatomy and coronary abnormalities. However, echocardiography with the use of a contrast agent, a cost-effective non-radiation nature, and a widespread use method, maybe a reliable method to detect and characterize the masses, allowing a differential diagnosis.Learning objective1.    Recognition and evaluation of cardiac masses require first-line imaging methods such as echocardiography.2.    The use of additional non-invasive (cardiac CT or MRI) and/or invasive imaging methods are often required. 3.    Contrast echocardiography may be helpful, as second-line imaging methods, to better characterize the mass and approach the correct diagnosis.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is a commonly diagnosed genitourinary infection that presents significant challenges both in diagnosis and treatment. In an upcoming era of antibiotic resistance, and limited therapeutic options it becomes imperative to revise current guidelines and to provide more effective treatment strategies. At the Eliava Phage Therapy Center (Tbilisi, Georgia) we utilize bacteriophage therapy as an alternative approach against chronic bacterial infections. Bacteriophages, viruses that target and lyse specific bacterial cells, can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with antibiotics. We present a case report of a patient with prostatitis caused by Escherichia coli infection, who prior to addressing our clinic, has been receiving antibiotic therapy without any positive effect. Our approach of combined use of antibiotics and phages was successful not only in complete clinical improvement but also in total bacterial eradication. This outcome shows the potential of bacteriophage therapy as a valuable adjunct to conventional antibacterials in the management of prostatitis.

The presence of heavy metals (HMs) on Earth is essential to all forms of life. These metals are essential for plant and animal development but can have numerous negative effects on the living environment. In this review, we looked at where HMs come from, why they are harmful, and how they affect plants. Articles indexed in Google Scholar, PubMed, Research Gate, Science Direct, and a few books on heavy metals were consulted for this study. Heavy metals are essential for plant development and growth. According to this analysis, the hazardous effects of HMs are on the rise all throughout the globe, and this trend may be attributed mostly to human activity. Because of its impact on agricultural productivity and environmental changes, soil pollution caused by HMs is among the most crucial elements. Plants have evolved very sophisticated defense systems to deal with these environmental challenges. The threat that HM stress poses to plants has attracted a lot of attention worldwide because it could stunt agriculture’s long-term expansion. In spite of their importance for plants, this study found that HMs pose a significant threat to plant life. The novelty of this review lies in its detailed examination of both the beneficial and detrimental roles of HMs, providing a balanced perspective often overlooked in current literature. The significance of this work is underscored by its potential to inform sustainable agricultural practices and environmental management strategies, as it highlights the delicate balance required to harness the benefits of HMs while mitigating their risks. Despite their necessity for plant development, this review underscores the significant risks HMs pose to plant health and ecosystems.Less than 10 cases have been reported in the literature of the association of germline BRCA1 and Squamous cell Carcinoma – the esophagus. The article focuses on the probable pathogenesis of BRCA1 mutation with non-classic malignancies and the response of Poly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARP) inhibitors in such a scenario. We report an unusual manifestation of the BRCA1 gene with second primary oesophageal squamous cell cancer occurring five years later to triple-negative breast cancer.

Urine typically has an amber-yellow color due to the amorphous pigment urochrome, a distinct scent, and an average pH of 6.0, which is somewhat acidic. Green urine can result from drug intake, dyes, infections, adverse drug reactions, and other causes. Less than 1% of propofol users experience green urine, a rare and benign side effect. The green tint in urine is caused by the phenolic metabolites of propofol. In this case, a 33-year-old man diagnosed with organophosphorus poisoning and aspiration pneumonia had been given a modest dose of propofol sedation for six hours and began to exhibit green urine. After five hours of halting the propofol infusion, the urine returned to its usual color. Healthcare practitioners should be aware of this unusual but safe side effect of propofol.