Inactivated influenza vaccine formulated with single-stranded RNA-based adjuvant confers mucosal immunity and cross-protection against influenza virus infection

Influenza vaccination is considered the most valuable means to prevent and control seasonal influenza infections, which causes various clinical symptoms, ranging from mild cough and fever to even death. Among various influenza vaccine types, the inactivated subunit type is known to provide improved safety with reduced reactogenicity. However, there are some drawbacks associated with inactivated subunit type vaccines, with the main ones being its low immunogenicity and the induction of Th2-biased immune responses. In this study, we investigated the role of a single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) derived from the intergenic region in the internal ribosome entry site of the Cricket paralysis virus as an adjuvant rather than the universal vaccine for a seasonal inactivated subunit influenza vaccine. The ssRNA adjuvant stimulated not only well-balanced cellular (indicated by IgG2a, IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α) and humoral (indicated by IgG1 and IL-4) immune responses but also a mucosal immune response (indicated by IgA), a key protector against respiratory virus infections. It also increases the HI titer, the surrogate marker of influenza vaccine efficacy. Furthermore, ssRNA adjuvant confers cross-protective immune responses against heterologous influenza virus infection while promoting enhanced viral clearance. Moreover, ssRNA adjuvant increases the number of memory CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, which can be expected to induce long-term immune responses. Therefore, this ssRNA-adjuvanted seasonal inactivated subunit influenza vaccine might be the best influenza vaccine generating robust humoral and cellular immune responses and conferring cross-protective and long-term immunity.     

改良俯卧位对俯卧位通气临床疗效及并发症的影响

目的观察改良俯卧位对俯卧位通气(PPV)临床疗效及并发症的影响。方法将该院呼吸和危重症医学科行PPV的52例患者随机分为对照组和实验组各26例,对照组应用常规方法进行PPV,实验组采用改良俯卧位进行PPV。比较两组患者PPV的临床效果和并发症发生情况。结果两组间俯卧位前和俯卧位后12 h的氧合指数无明显差异(P>0.05);两组患者俯卧位后12 h的氧合指数均较各组俯卧位前明显改善(P<0.05);两组患者气管插管脱出、血流动力学显著波动、误吸和面部水肿的发生率无显著差异(P>0.05);实验组皮肤压疮的发生率明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论改良俯卧位对PPV的临床疗效无显著影响,但可以降低皮肤压疮的发生率。     

以肺动脉高压为首发表现的先天性中枢性低通气综合征临床特征和基因分析

目的探讨先天性中枢性低通气综合征(CCHS)的临床和基因变异特征。方法分析1例首发表现为不明原因肺动脉高压的CCHS患儿的临床资料,并总结国内外文献中CCHS病例的临床特点、致病机制和基因变异情况。结果11月龄女婴,主要表现为浮肿、尿少、低血压、嗜睡、发绀、抽搐及颅内压增高。B型脑利钠肽、丙氨酸氨基转移酶升高,凝血酶原时间延长。颅脑磁共振示右侧额叶出血;超声心动图示中重度肺动脉高压。靶向捕获二代测序未发现可能的致病基因。采用Sanger法验证示患儿PHOX 2 B基因第3外显子存在多聚丙氨酸重复扩展变异,基因型为20/25。患儿入院后采用无创通气,睡眠时呼吸浅慢、微弱,伴血氧下降;血气分析提示二氧化碳潴留。随后改用夜间无创通气、降肺压药物治疗。复查肺动脉压力明显下降,生命体征稳定。随访至24月龄,夜间只需较低压力水平的无创通气,生长发育无异常。结论对于不明原因的肺动脉高压伴撤机困难患儿,需警惕CCHS。疑诊者应尽早针对CCHS相关基因进行靶向捕获二代测序及PHOX 2 B基因Sanger法验证。早期给予无创通气有望改善预后。     

Delivery during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support of pregnant woman with severe respiratory distress syndrome caused by influenza: a case report and review of the literature

Objective: To report a case of labour induction during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support in a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by influenza and review of the literature.

Methods: Case report and the literature search of all English articles on delivery while on ECMO in patients with ARDS caused by influenza.

Results: A 25-year-old pregnant woman was initiated with ECMO due to severe ARDS caused by influenza A (H1N1) virus. When the patient had symptoms of colporrhagia and uterine contractions, the medical team decided to start labour induction while on ECMO. There were in total five case reports identified. Maternal oxygenation was improved after delivery and ECMO was successfully discontinued.

Conclusions: Maternal oxygenation was improved after delivery, which may be beneficial to reduce the duration of ECMO. Caesarean section (CS) may be the most used mode and labour induction could be another option. The procedure should be performed by an experienced ECMO team, cooperating with the obstetrician, anaesthesiologist, and ICU doctors.     

Le syndrome de Klinefelter : une prédisposition au crime sexuel ?

BackgroundSeveral studies have reported over-representation of psychiatric disorders among patients with Klinefelter’ Syndrome (KS), with forensic complications.ObjectiveConsider determinants of sexual assault in patient with KS.ReviewIn this work, we present the case of Jules, 23 years old, with KS, benefiting from steroid replacement therapy, convicted of rape of a minor and evaluated in this context. We question here the role of his genetic pathology and of his hormonal treatment in this sexual assault.FindingsAccording to evidence from the literature, it is not possible to determine with certainty the fair value of each factor and their impact on the occurrence of the sexual criminal act. Indeed, although the crime rate among KS subjects is higher than in the general population, the majority of them have never been in trouble with the law; moreover, these subjects were no more likely to commit violent sexual acts than were criminals without KS. As for hormonal treatment, it seems that testosterone is better viewed as a facilitator of initiating an aggressive response than as a primary inductor.ConclusionIn conclusion, the onset of sexual violence that accompanied the introduction of hormonal treatment into a patient with KS suggests an effective involvement of steroid replacement therapy, even small, in the criminal act. This must incite clinicians to extreme prudence and to take account of multidisciplinary expertise (psychiatrist, endocrinologist) in order to reconsider the continuation of the treatment in this particular forensic context. Finally, we discuss other factors that can precipitate such a violent act.     

Bernard–Soulier syndrome in pregnancy

Bernard–Soulier syndrome (BSS) is a rare autosomal recessively inherited bleeding disorder. Pregnancy in patients with BSS is characterized by ante‐, intra‐, or postpartum haemorrhage, which may be delayed and severe. There is no consensus in the management of BSS in pregnancy and so far only 16 pregnancies in nine patients have been described. We report a further three pregnancies in two women with the syndrome. We also outline our management of pregnant patients with BSS.     

Photodynamic therapy in the management of a patient with Gorlin syndrome (naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome)

Gorlin syndrome (naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome) is a genetically linked disorder characterized by the development of multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) throughout life. Cumulative surgery, cryotherapy and other conventional interventions can result in significant disfigurement by middle age. Radiotherapy is contra-indicated because the mutated gene underlying the syndrome, ‘PTCH’, increases sensitivity to ionising radiation, so there is significant likelihood of inducing further tumours in and around the irradiated area. Photodynamic therapy offers a non-invasive treatment option for patients with this condition, with the added advantage of causing minimal scarring.     

Anton’s syndrome due to a giant anterior fossa meningioma. The problem of routine use of advanced diagnostic imaging in psychiatric care

Summary We present a case of blindness and Anton’s syndrome in a psychiatric patient with late diagnosis of a giant frontal meningioma. The criteria for advanced diagnostic imaging in the psychiatric population are discussed. We conclude that MR or CT scan is indicated in psychiatric in-patients who fail to improve with standard psychiatric treatment. This strategy should be submitted to a cost-benefit analysis.