Food-grade titanium dioxide decreases hematocrit and hemoglobin and increases compulsive-like behavior in male mice

Food-grade titanium dioxide (E171) is widely used as a food additive, and it is known that after oral consumption, E171 is translocated into the bloodstream reaching the highest titanium level at 6 h. E171 is accumulated in some organs triggering toxicity, but the effects on the blood parameters after oral consumption have been less studied. Recently, evidence shows that oral exposure to E171 induces behavioral signs of anxiety and depression. The relation between blood alterations and psychiatric disorders has been previously demonstrated. However, the oral exposure to E171 effects on alterations in blood parameters and effects linked to alterations in animal behavior has not been explored. In this short communication, we aimed to investigate the effects of E171 on specific blood parameters (hematocrit, hemoglobin, number of erythrocytes, and leukocytes) and anxiety and compulsive-like behavior in males and females orally exposed to ~5 mg/kg for 4 weeks. The results showed that E171 decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin in male but not in female mice while leukocyte and erythrocyte count remained unaltered. Oral consumption of E171 decreased the levels of anxiety-like behavior in females but not in male mice, while compulsive-like behavior was increased in both male and female mice.     

Re-interpretation of PAM50 gene expression as quantitative tumor dimensions shows utility for clinical trials: application to prognosis and response to paclitaxel in breast cancer

Background

We recently showed PAM50 gene expression data can be represented by five quantitative, orthogonal, multi-gene breast tumor traits. These novel tumor ‘dimensions’ were superior to categorical intrinsic subtypes for clustering in high-risk breast cancer pedigrees, indicating potential to represent underlying genetic susceptibilities and biological pathways. Here we explore the prognostic and predictive utility of these dimensions in a sub-study of GEICAM/9906, a Phase III randomized prospective clinical trial of paclitaxel in breast cancer.

Methods

Tumor dimensions, PC1–PC5, were calculated using pre-defined coefficients. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards (PH) models for disease-free survival (DFS) were used to identify associations between quantitative dimensions and prognosis or response to the addition of paclitaxel. Results were illustrated using Kaplan–Meier curves.

Results

Dimensions PC1 and PC5 were associated with DFS (Cox PH p = 6.7 \(\times\) 10⁻⁷ and p = 0.036), remaining significant after correction for standard clinical–pathological prognostic characteristics. Both dimensions were selected in the optimal multivariable model, together with nodal status and tumor size (Cox PH p = 1.4 \(\times\) 10⁻¹²). Interactions with treatment were identified for PC3 and PC4. Response to paclitaxel was restricted to tumors with low PC3 and PC4 (log-rank p = 0.0021). Women with tumors high for PC3 or PC4 showed no survival advantage.

Conclusions

Our proof-of-concept application of quantitative dimensions illustrated novel findings and clinical utility beyond standard clinical–pathological characteristics and categorical intrinsic subtypes for prognosis and predicting chemotherapy response. Consideration of expression data as quantitative tumor dimensions offers new potential to identify clinically important patient subsets in clinical trials and advance precision medicine.

     

Genome-wide association analysis of dementia and its clinical endophenotypes reveal novel loci associated with Alzheimer's disease and three causality networks: The GR@ACE project

IntroductionLarge variability among Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases might impact genetic discoveries and complicate dissection of underlying biological pathways.MethodsGenome Research at Fundacio ACE ([email protected]) is a genome-wide study of dementia and its clinical endophenotypes, defined based on AD's clinical certainty and vascular burden. We assessed the impact of known AD loci across endophenotypes to generate loci categories. We incorporated gene coexpression data and conducted pathway analysis per category. Finally, to evaluate the effect of heterogeneity in genetic studies, [email protected] series were meta-analyzed with additional genome-wide association study data sets.ResultsWe classified known AD loci into three categories, which might reflect the disease clinical heterogeneity. Vascular processes were only detected as a causal mechanism in probable AD. The meta-analysis strategy revealed the ANKRD31-rs4704171 and NDUFAF6-rs10098778 and confirmed SCIMP-rs7225151 and CD33-rs3865444.DiscussionThe regulation of vasculature is a prominent causal component of probable AD. [email protected] meta-analysis revealed novel AD genetic signals, strongly driven by the presence of clinical heterogeneity in the AD series.     

Buscando o motivo da instabilidade hemodinâmica: relato de caso sobre o papel do ultrassom intraoperatório

Background and objectives

A prompt and effective management of trauma patient is necessary. The aim of this case report is to highlight the importance of intraoperative echocardiography as a useful tool in patients suffering from refractory hemodynamic instability no otherwise explained.

Quality of Life After Ministernotomy Versus Full Sternotomy Aortic Valve Replacement

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La pandemia COVID-19 y su repercusión en la unidad de radiología intervencionista: nuestra experiencia

This paper aims to describe our experience in an interventional radiology unit in a hospital in Spain that was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, we did a prospective observational study of 20 consecutive patients with COVID-19 who underwent 21 interventional radiology procedures between March 13, 2020 and May 11, 2020. We describe the measures taken to reorganize the work and protective measures, as well as the repercussions of the situation on our unit's overall activity and activity in different phases. The COVID-19 pandemic has represented a challenge in our daily work, but learning from our own experience and the recommendations of the Spanish radiological societies (SERVEI and SERAM) has enabled us to adapt successfully. Our activity dropped only 22% compared to the same period in 2019.