1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 administration to 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats increases glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and partially restores tyrosine hydroxylase expression in substantia nigra and striatum

It has previously been demonstrated that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] administration, whether in cell cultures or in vivo to rats, increases glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) expression levels, suggesting that this hormone may have beneficial effects in neurodegenerative disorders. This study was carried out to explore the effects of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) administration in a 6-OHDA-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease on GDNF and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in substantia nigra (SN) and striatum. Two groups of animals received 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) intraperitoneally, the first group 7 days before the unilateral injection of 6-OHDA into the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) and the second group 21 days (days 21-28) after the unilateral injection of 6-OHDA. Animals of both groups were sacrificed on day 28. In addition, two other groups received a unilateral injection of either saline or 6-OHDA into the MFB. Rats were killed, and the SN and striatum were then removed for GDNF and TH determination. Striatal GDNF protein expression was increased on the ipsilateral with respect to the contralateral side after 6-OHDA injection alone as well as in 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-treated rats before or after 6-OHDA administration. As expected, 6-OHDA injection induced an ipsilateral decrease in TH-immunopositive neuronal cell bodies and axonal terminals in the SN and striatum. However, treatment with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) before and after 6-OHDA injection partially restored TH expression in SN. These data suggest that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) may help to prevent dopaminergic neuron damage.     

Interferon receptor expression in multiple sclerosis patients

To determine the gene expression of IFNAR1, IFNAR2 and MxA protein and the association with IFNbeta treatment response in MS patients. MS patients treated with IFNbeta had a significant decrease in IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 expression, and a significant increase in MxA compared to non-treated patients and healthy controls. Also, those patients who had a good response to treatment had a significant decrease in IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 expression compared to non-responders, non-treated patients and healthy controls. IFNbeta influences the expression of its receptors, and is greater in patients who respond to IFNbeta treatment. This down-regulation could be indicative of the response to IFNbeta.     

Safety of diagnostic transradial catheterization in patients undergoing long-term anticoagulation with coumarin derivatives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of transradial catheterization without prior withdrawal of oral anticoagulation. In total, 183 patients on long-term acenocoumarol treatment who underwent transradial catheterization were included in a prospective study. In 135 patients, the coumarin derivative was continued without interruption before and during catheterization and, in 48, the drug was stopped 48 hours in advance. No severe thromboembolic or hemorrhagic complications occurred. At 7-day follow-up, the rate of occurrence of hematomas >3 cm in size was 5.5% in the group that continued anticoagulant treatment, and 10.4% in the group that stopped oral anticoagulation (P=.31). The transradial approach appears to be a safe option for patients receiving long-term coumarin treatment and could be the technique of choice because it avoids the drawbacks and complications associated with the withdrawal of oral anticoagulation.     

Reduced numbers of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in aged blood donors

Dendritic cells (DC) play essential functions in both innate and adaptive immune responses. Peripheral blood DCs are divided into two major subsets, named conventional DC (cDC) and plasmacytoid DC (pDC), which play specific functions in the immune response. The absolute numbers of DCs (and their subsets) in peripheral blood may suffer variations due to physiological or pathological reasons, and therefore the enumeration of DC subsets in blood samples may be of clinical interest. However, to date this enumeration has produced controversial rather than consistent results. Here, using a two-tube platform approach, peripheral blood DCs have been enumerated in samples from healthy blood donors aged 18-65 years old. The results obtained showed a significant age-related decrease in pDC numbers, whilst cDC numbers remained unaltered. The different protocols used to define and enumerate DC subsets from blood samples may account for the controversial results reported before, thus emphasizing the importance of a general consensus to enumerate DCs. Reduced pDC numbers may be related to the higher susceptibility to infection and deficient response to vaccination often observed in aged individuals.     

PET-CT in the staging and treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer

Positron emission tomography with 2-(¹⁸F)-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG-PET) is a metabolic imaging technique. FDG-PET is more accurate than CT for the evaluation of mediastinal involvement in patients with nonsmall-cell lung cancer, offering a high negative predictive value. It can detect occult metastases in 11% of patients, although the etiology of the extrathoracic isolated uptakes needs confirmation. Theoretically, FDG-PET can influence the planning volume for radiotherapy, primarily in patients with atelectasis. Quantification of metabolic activity using FDG-PET is influenced by the size of the lesion, glucose levels and the time elapsed since the isotope injection. More clinical trials are required to standardize the methods for performing PET, assess its use as a prognostic factor and for the evaluation of treatment response.     

Cross-sensitivity between taxanes in patients with breast cancer

Aim  

This study was a retrospective analysis of our experience with severe cross-hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) to the taxanes paclitaxel (P) and docetaxel (D) in patients with breast cancer.     

Novel BRCA1 deleterious mutation (c.1949_1950delTA) in a woman of Senegalese descent with triple-negative early-onset breast cancer

Limited information exists regarding BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing and genetic diversity in BRCA1 and BRCA2 in sub-Saharan African populations. We report a novel mutation that consists of a deletion of 2 bp (c.1949_1950delTA) in the exon 11 of the BRCA1 gene. This is a frameshift mutation that causes the disruption of the translational reading frame resulting in a premature stop codon downstream in the BRCA1 protein. The mutation was present in a Senegalese woman with a triple-negative breast tumor and a family history of breast cancer.