Diffusion MRI changes in the anterior subventricular zone following chemoradiation in glioblastoma with posterior ventricular involvement

Journal of Neuro-Oncology - There is growing evidence that the subventricular zone (SVZ) plays a key role in glioblastoma (GBM) tumorigenesis. However, little is known regarding how the SVZ, which...     

Association of HIV serostatus and metabolic syndrome with neurobehavioral disturbances

Journal of NeuroVirology - Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a constellation of related metabolic risk factors, is a common comorbidity associated with cognitive difficulty in people living with HIV...     

Tear film,contact lenses and tear biomarkers

This article summarises research undertaken since 1993 in the Willcox laboratory at the University of New South Wales, Sydney on the tear film, its interactions with contact lenses, and the use of tears as a source of biomarkers for ocular and non‐ocular diseases. The proteome, lipidome and glycome of tears all contribute to important aspects of the tear film, including its structure, its ability to defend the ocular surface against microbes and to help heal ocular surface injuries. The tear film interacts with contact lenses in vivo and interactions between tears and lenses can affect the biocompatibility of lenses, and may be important in mediating discomfort responses during lens wear. Suggestions are made for follow‐up research.     

Epidermal growth factor receptor deficiency: Expanding the phenotype beyond infancy

Transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors represent a fundamental mechanism for transducing extracellular signals into the activation of signaling cascades responsible for intercellular communication, embryogenesis and tissue integrity. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a canonical member of this family, regarded for its dysregulated function in various malignancies. Here, we describe a young female born prematurely with friable and immature skin who developed chronic diarrhea, recurrent gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, as well as an ichthyotic and inflammatory papulopustular rash accompanied by alopecia. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a constitutional homozygous variant in EGFR (NM_005228.3:c1283G>A; p.[G428D]), identified as a pathogenic loss-of-function variant in three patients with EGFR deficiency. These patients succumbed to early mortality; however, the proposita’s condition has stabilized, despite only supportive interventions, with dermatological improvements and reduced frequency of infections at 8 years. This report provides a clinical phenotyping of the longest surviving individual with EGFR deficiency and substantiates our understanding of the natural history of this multisystemic dermatological disorder.     

Aberrant lipid metabolism as a therapeutic target in liver cancer

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and lethal cancers. Progress has been made in treatment of HCC; however, improved outcomes are much needed. The increased metabolic needs of cancer cells underscore the importance of metabolic pathways in cancer cell survival. Lipid metabolism has a role in HCC development; aberrant overexpression of several key enzymes is seen in many solid human tumors.

Areas covered: We discuss aberrant lipid metabolism and the promise of multiple targets, in particular related to HCC treatment. We searched PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov for published and unpublished studies from 2000 to 2019. These terms were used: lipids, fatty acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, liver cancer, HCC, de novo fatty acid synthesis, ATP citrate lyase, stearoyl CoA denaturase, fatty acid synthase, acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase, CD147, KLF4, monoglyceride lipase, AMP activated protein kinase.

Expert opinion: The importance of dysregulation of fatty acid synthesis in cancer is a growing area of research. HCC demonstrates significant alteration in lipid metabolism, representing great potential as a target for novel therapeutics. Various agents have demonstrated promising anti-neoplastic activity. This strategy deserves further development for improved outcomes.     

Increased Social Interactions Reduce the Association Between Constricted Life-Space and Lower Daily Happiness in Older Adults With and Without HIV: A GPS and Ecological Momentary Assessment Study

ObjectiveOlder persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PWH) are particularly susceptible to life-space restrictions. The aims of this study included: 1) using global positioning system (GPS) derived indicators as an assessment of time spent at home among older adults with and without HIV; 2) using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine real-time relationships between life-space, mood (happiness, sadness, anxious), fatigue, and pain; and 3) determining if number of daily social interactions moderated the effect of life-space on mood.MethodsEighty-eight older adults (PWH n = 54, HIV-negative n = 34) completed smartphone-based EMA surveys assessing mood, fatigue, pain, and social interactions four times per day for two weeks. Participants’ smartphones were GPS enabled throughout the study. Mixed-effects regression models analyzed concurrent and lagged associations among life-space and behavioral indicators of health.ResultsPWH spent more of their time at home (79% versus 70%, z = ?2.08; p = 0.04) and reported lower mean happiness (3.2 versus 3.7; z = 2.63; p = 0.007) compared to HIV-negative participants. Controlling for covariates, more daily social interactions were associated with higher ratings of real-time happiness (b = 0.12; t = 5.61; df = 1087.9; p< 0.001). Similar findings were seen in lagged analyses: prior day social interactions (b = 0.15; t = 7.3; df = 1024.9; p < 0.0001) and HIV status (b = ?0.48; t = ?2.56; df = 1026.8; p = 0.01) attenuated the effect of prior day time spent at home on happiness.ConclusionAccounting for engagement in social interactions reduced the significant effect of time spent at home and lower happiness. Interventions targeting social isolation within the context of constricted life-space may be beneficial for increasing positive mood in older adults, and especially relevant to older PWH.