The response of Prorocentrum sigmoides and its associated culturable bacteria to metals and organic pollutants

This study investigates the effect of metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, and tellurium) and organic pollutants (benzene, diesel, lindane, and xylene) on a dinoflagellate—Prorocentrum sigmoides Böhm—and its associated culturable bacteria. Two bacterial cultures (Bacillus subtilis strain PD005 and B. xiamensis strain PD006) were isolated from P. sigmoides and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing, biochemical analyses, and growth curve studies. This study points to a mutualistic relationship between P. sigmoides and its associated Bacillus isolates. P. sigmoides enhanced the growth of its associated Bacillus spp., through the secretion of extracellular exudates. In return, both Bacillus isolates contributed to the resistance of P. sigmoides to metals and organic pollutants. P. sigmoides and both Bacillus isolates exhibited concentration‐dependent responses to metals and organic pollutants. An intriguing feature was the similar response of P. sigmoides and its associated Bacillus isolates to mercury and cadmium, indicating a co‐selection of mercury and cadmium resistance. This provides support to the “dinoflagellate host‐phycosphere bacteria” behaving as a single functional unit. However, the sensitivity profiles of P. sigmoides and its associated Bacillus isolates are different with respect to metals versus organic pollutants. These aspects need to be addressed in future studies to unravel the effect of metal and organic pollutants on dinoflagellates, an important component of the phytoplankton community, and to discern the influence of associated “phycosphere” bacteria on the response of dinoflagellates to pollutants.     

Novel TGM5 mutations in acral peeling skin syndrome

Acral peeling skin syndrome (APSS, MIM #609796) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by superficial exfoliation and blistering of the volar and dorsal aspects of hands and feet. The level of separation is at the junction of the stratum granulosum and stratum corneum. APSS is caused by mutations in the TGM5 gene encoding transglutaminase‐5, which is important for structural integrity of the outermost epidermal layers. The majority of patients originate from Europe and carry a p.(Gly113Cys) mutation in TGM5. In this study, we report both European and non‐European families carrying other mutations in the TGM5 gene. In 5 patients, we found 3 novel mutations: c.1001+2_1001+3del, c.1171G>A and c.1498C>T. To confirm their pathogenicity, we performed functional analyses with a transglutaminase activity assay, determined alternative splicing by reverse‐transcribed PCR analysis and used databases and in silico prediction tools.     

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for early-stage lung cancer in the elderly

Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is on the rise due to the implementation of screening guidelines for patients at risk for developing lung cancer. It is anticipated that as the US population continues to age, there will be a higher percentage of medically inoperable early-stage lung cancer patients. For this reason, noninvasive ablative therapies are necessary. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an effective modality in addressing early-stage NSCLC. SBRT consists of high-dose radiation delivered over 3–5 treatments. Several randomized trials comparing surgery to SBRT in early-stage operable patients have unfortunately closed early due to poor accrual. However, a recent pooled analysis from 2 randomized trials (StereoTActic Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery Or Surgery for operable Early-stage non–small cell Lung cancer) comparing surgery to SBRT did show comparable local control and overall survival rates between surgery and SBRT, offering a very effective, noninvasive modality for older adult patients with early-stage NSCLC. In this review, we summarize the role of SBRT in early-stage NSCLC, in particularly applied to the older adult population.     

Do older patients with non-small cell lung cancer also benefit from first-line platinum-based doublet chemotherapy? Observations from a pooled analysis of 730 prospectively-treated patients (Alliance Study A151622)

Objective

This study sought to define the role of first-line platinum-based doublet chemotherapy in older patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The impact of actual body weight-based chemotherapy dosing and body size on adverse events and outcome in older patients with breast cancer: Results from Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) trial 49907 (Alliance A151436)

Objective

Actual weight-based (AWB) chemotherapy dosing is recommended for obese patients in the 2012 ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline. CALGB 49907, which utilized ABW-based adjuvant chemotherapy dosing, was a phase 3 trial in women age ≥ 65 years with early stage breast cancer, providing the opportunity to examine impact of such dosing on toxicities and outcome in older patients with breast cancer.

The relationship between anthropometry and body composition from computed tomography: The Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America Study

Objective: Few studies examine the relationships between anthropometry and the body composition measures they approximate, or whether they differ by sex, and no studies have examined these relationships in South Asians living in the US.

Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 871 participants in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Study who had BMI?2 and underwent abdominal CT scans for measurement of visceral and subcutaneous fat. Linear regression was used to model the associations between anthropometric measures and naturally log-transformed body composition measures.

Results: All measures of anthropometry, except height, were significantly associated with visceral fat and had a significant non-linear component (p?p?=?.007 for interaction) and waist-to-hip ratio (women 25.9, men 717.4, p?2): 10.3, 14.0; waist circumference (cm): 1.51, 3.36; hip circumference (cm): 2.53, 4.50) with p?Conclusions: In MASALA participants, the relationships of anthropometric measures with visceral and subcutaneous fat appear similar to other race/ethnic groups, but with weaker non-linearity and heterogeneity by sex. Given these results, researchers should consider separate models by sex for US South Asians when approximating subcutaneous fat or when using waist circumference to approximate visceral fat.     

Antimicrobial Activity of Acanthus ilicifolius (L.)

The antimicrobial activity of alcoholic, butanolic and chloroform extracts of leaves and roots of the plant Acanthus ilicifolius ware studied. Ampicillin and clotrimazole were used as standard antibacterial and antifungal agents respectively. The result of the study revealed that the alcoholic extract and chloroform extract of leaves exhibited strong inhibitory action against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger and moderate inhibitory action against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris. The rest of the extracts showed moderate activity.