Potassium-competitive acid blockers-are they the next generation of proton pump inhibitors?

The modern lifestyle caters to an increase in the incidence of peptic ulcer disease,gastroesophageal reflux disease and several other acid-related conditions of the gut. The drugs to prevent these conditions work either through H2 receptor blockade or inhibition of the H^+, K^+ ATPase enzyme. Although proton pump inhibitors have been proven to be efficacious, they have a slow onset of action with limited resolution of symptoms in most patients. Potassium-competitive acid blockers(P-CABs) are novel drugs that bind reversibly to K^+ ions and block the H^+, K^+ ATPase enzyme, thus preventing acid production. P-CABs have a fast onset of action and have dose-dependent effects on acid production. Animal studies exist that differentiate the better results of P-CABs from proton pump inhibitors; further human trials will give a comprehensive picture of the results and will help to elucidate the therapeutic benefits of this new group of drugs.

Tuberculosis septic shock, an elusive pathophysiology and hurdles in management: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) is a rare etiology of the septic shock. Timely administration of the anti-microbial agents has shown mortality benefit. Prompt diagnosis and a high index of suspicion are crucial to the management. We present three cases of TBSS with poor outcome in the majority despite timely and susceptible antibiotic administration. CASE SUMMARY Sixty-seven-year-old woman with latent TB presented with fever, cough, and shortness of breath. She was promptly diagnosed with active TB and started on the appropriate anti-microbial regimen;she had a worsening clinical course with septic shock and multi-organ failure after initiation of antibiotics. Thirty-threeyear- old man immunocompromised with acquired immune deficiency syndrome presented with fever, anorexia and weight loss. He had no respiratory symptoms, and first chest X-ray was normal. He had enlarged liver, spleen and lymph nodes suspicious for lymphoma. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, he succumbed to refractory septic shock and multi-organ failure. It was shortly before his death that anti-TB antimicrobials were initiated based on pathology reports of bone marrow and lymph node biopsies. Forty-nine-year-old woman with asthma and latent TB admitted with cough and shortness of breath. Although Initial sputum analysis was negative, a subsequent broncho-alveolar lavage turned out to be positive for acid fast bacilli followed by initiation of susceptible ant-TB regimen. She had a downward spiral clinical course with shock, multi-organ failure and finally death. CONCLUSION Worse outcome despite timely initiation of appropriate antibiotics raises suspicion of TB immune reconstitution as a possible pathogenesis for TB septic shock.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of autoimmune pancreatitis based on serum immunoglobulin G4 levels:A single-center,retrospective cohort study

Autoimmune pancreatitis(AIP)is a complex,poorly understood disease gaining increasing attention."Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of AIP Based on Serum IgG4 levels,"investigated AIP with a focus on serum immunoglobulin(Ig)G4 levels.The 213 patients with AIP were classified according to serum IgG4 levels:Abnormal(elevated)and normal.Patients with higher IgG4 levels exhibited a more active immune system and increased relapse rates.Beyond IgG4,the IgA levels and age independently contributed to relapse risk,guiding risk assessment and tailored treatments for better outcomes.However,limitations persist,such as no IgA correlation with IgG4 levels,absent data on autoantibodypositive AIP cases critical for Asian diagnostic criteria,and unexplored relapse rates in high serum IgG AIP by subtype.Genetic factors and family histories were not addressed.As the understanding and referral of seronegative AIPs increase,there's a growing need for commercially available,highly sensitive,and specific autoantibodies to aid in diagnosing individuals with low or absent serum IgG4 levels.

Reliable off-grid power supply utilizing green hydrogen

Green hydrogen produced from wind,solar or hydro power is a suitable electricity storage medium.Hydrogen is typically employed as mid-to long-term energy storage,whereas batteries cover short-term energy storage.Green hydrogen can be produced by any available electrolyser technology[alkaline electrolysis cell(AEC),polymer electrolyte membrane(PEM),anion exchange membrane(AEM),solid oxide electrolysis cell(SOEC)]if the electrolysis is fed by renewable electricity.If the electrolysis operates under elevated pressure,the simplest way to store the gaseous hydrogen is to feed it directly into an ordinary pressure vessel without any external compression.The most efficient way to generate electricity from hydrogen is by utilizing a fuel cell.PEM fuel cells seem to be the most favourable way to do so.To increase the capacity factor of fuel cells and electrolysers,both functionalities can be integrated into one device by using the same stack.Within this article,different reversible technologies as well as their advantages and readiness levels are presented,and their potential limitations are also discussed.