Outcomes of patients with non-small cell lung cancer and poor performance status treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in the real-world setting

International Journal of Clinical Oncology - Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are standard treatments for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with poor performance status...     

Nurses' intentions to wear gloves during venipuncture procedures: a behavioral psychology perspective.

Registered nurses working at a teaching hospital in Kuwait were surveyed to assess the psychosocial variables associated with their intention to comply with glove-wearing recommendations. Perceived consequences and normative beliefs, as well as sex and years of nursing experience, significantly influenced their behavioral intentions, suggesting that improvements in intention to comply are more likely to come from practical demonstrations that show nurses the potential outcomes of both using and not using gloves.     

In vitro effector activity of Pneumocystis murina-specific T-cytotoxic-1 CD8+ T cells: role of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related opportunistic infections continue to occur in patients who are newly diagnosed with HIV infection, those in the early course of highly active antiretroviral therapy or nonadherent to HIV care, and other immunosuppressed individuals. One of the most common opportunistic infections in these patients is Pneumocystis pneumonia. CD8+ T cells are recruited to the lung after P. carinii infection and have been associated with both lung injury and host defense. This variability may be due to subpopulations of CD8+ T cells recruited to the lung. We have previously shown using adoptive transfer studies that in vivo-generated T-cytotoxic-1 (Tc1) CD8+ T cells, defined by the secretion of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), have effector activity against Pneumocystis spp. in vitro as well as in vivo. To better understand the mechanisms of these effects, we generated, expanded, and tested Tc1 and Tc2 CD8+ T cells specific for P. murina ex vivo. Tc1-polarized CD8+ T cells secreted higher levels of IFN-gamma and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and lower levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 than Tc2 CD8+ T cells when stimulated with P. murina antigen. Moreover, Tc1 CD8+ T cells demonstrated enhanced effector activity in a macrophage-mediated killing assay which was independent of cell contact. The augmentation in macrophage-mediated P. murina killing was significantly abrogated when GM-CSF was neutralized in the Tc1 CD8+ T cells. These data support the possibility that antigen-specific GM-CSF secretion is critical for effector activity of P. murina-specific Tc1 CD8+ T cells in vitro.     

Carrier detection in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy Argentine families

In order to offer carrier detection, genetic counseling, and prenatal diagnosis to families with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) in our country, segregation analysis of highly polymorphic short tandem repeats (STR) (dC-dA)n: (dG-dT)n loci was utilized. The risks to females of 15 DMD/BMD families (9 familial and 6 sporadic) were evaluated on STR, pedigree and serum creatine kinase (SCK) data. From the 36 females at risk of being carriers (not including 8 obligate carriers), results of STR analysis were compatible with carrier status in 7 and not compatible in 20. In 9 females, no information regarding carriership was derived from the STR analysis. Prenatal diagnosis is now possible on the carrier females. Previously identified deletions in the central part of the gene were confirmed by STR analysis in 3 families. Five new alleles were identified in Argentine individuals; allele frequencies differed from those of North American people. Results derived from this study are useful for carrier detection and genetic counseling in DMD/BMD. One case of probable mosaicism in an unaffected father was detected on a pedigree basis in a family with DMD patients.     

Redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacciger microacetabularis</Emphasis> (Martorelli et Suriano, 1983) nov. comb. parasitizing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys orbignyanus</Emphasis> (Pisces,Paralichthyidae) from Argentina

In this paper Steringotrema microacetabularis (Suriano et Martorelli, 1983) is redescribed and transferred to Bacciger Nicoll, 1924 in the Faustulidae Poche, 1926 based on newly collected material from the type-host, Paralichthys orbignyanus Valenciennes, 1839 and the type-locality, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. A careful re-examination of the new specimens shows that some anatomical characteristics were ignored or incompletely described by the previous authors and they are included herein. The species is tentatively transferred to Bacciger with which it appears to have closest affinity. Despite the anatomical differences detailed in this paper, confirmation of this proposal must await further work, including molecular studies.     

Effects of cereal bar containing polydextrose on subjective feelings of appetite and energy intake in overweight adults over 15 d

The effects of 15?d polydextrose (16.7?g) consumption on energy intake (EI) and appetite feelings were investigated. Overweight adults consumed a polydextrose-bar or a control-bar matched in energy content as a midmorning snack for 15 consecutive days in a single-blind, randomised, crossover design. The two 15-d intervention periods were separated by a 15-d washout period. On the day 1 and the day 15 of each intervention period, energy intake (primary outcome) and appetite feelings (secondary outcome) were assessed. There were not significant main effects of the day, type of bar, or their interaction for EI (at lunchtime test meal, at rest of the day, or at total daily) or subjective feelings (hunger, desire to eat, fullness, and prospective food consumption) during the satiation and satiety periods. The results showed the consumption of polydextrose-bar during 15?d did not significantly affect energy intake and subjective feelings of appetite in overweight adults.     

Mitochondrial-derived peptide humanin as therapeutic target in cancer and degenerative diseases

Introduction: Mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) are encoded within the mitochondrial genome. They signal within the cell or are released to act as autocrine/paracrine/endocrine cytoprotective factors playing a key role in the cellular stress response. The first reported and better characterized MDP is humanin (HN), which exerts robust protective effects against a myriad of cytotoxic stimuli in many cell types. These effects have led to the evaluation of HN and its analogs as therapeutic targets for several chronic diseases.

Areas covered: We describe the latest findings on the mechanism of action of HN and discuss the role of HN as therapeutic target for neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, male infertility, and cancer. Since HN can be detected in circulation, we also depict its value as a biomarker for these diseases.

Expert opinion: HN analogs and peptide mimetics have been developed over the last decade and show promising results in preclinical models of degenerative diseases. Local administration of gene therapy vectors that overexpress or silence endogenous HN could also hold therapeutic potential. Controversy on the role of HN in cancer progression and chemoresistance should be addressed before the translation of these therapeutic approaches.     

Human papillomavirus (HPV)‐18 E6 oncoprotein interferes with the epithelial cell polarity Par3 protein

High‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the principal risk factor for the development of cervical cancer. The HPV E6 oncoprotein has the ability to target and interfere with several PSD‐95/DLG/ZO‐1 (PDZ) domain‐containing proteins that are involved in the control of cell polarity. This function can be significant for E6 oncogenic activity because a deficiency in cell polarisation is a marker of tumour progression. The establishment and control of polarity in epithelial cells depend on the correct asymmetrical distribution of proteins and lipids at the cell borders and on specialised cell junctions. In this report, we have investigated the effects of HPV E6 protein on the polarity machinery, with a focus on the PDZ partitioning defective 3 (Par3) protein, which is a key component of tight junctions (TJ) and the polarity network. We demonstrate that E6 is able to bind and induce the mislocalisation of Par3 protein in a PDZ‐dependent manner without significant reduction in Par3 protein levels. In addition, the high‐risk HPV‐18 E6 protein promotes a delay in TJ formation when analysed by calcium switch assays. Taken together, the data presented in this study contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanism by which HPVs induce the loss of cell polarity, with potential implications for the development and progression of HPV‐associated tumours.     

Lateral Left Ventricular Wall Rupture Following Acute Myocardial Infarction: Pathophysiological Interpretation by Multimodality Imaging Approach

Lateral left ventricular wall rupture (LVWR) is a rare complication following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) less than 1%. After cardiogenic shock, LVWR constitutes the most common cause of in‐hospital death in AMI patients. Around 40% of all LVWR occurred during the first 24 hours and 85% within the first week. In the present case, 76 hours following the intervention, LVWR was observed likely due to a small infarction at the lateral left ventricular wall possibly due to the marginal lesion. Our patient refused surgery and was followed clinically. Eighteen months later, real time three‐dimensional echocardiography showed a pseudoaneurysm.     

Androgen production by testes of Gallus domesticus during postembryonic development

Cock testes incubated with labeled pregnenolone or progesterone as substrates produced testosterone as the main compound. The formation of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone was greater with progesterone as precursor, but the production of radioactive 20β-dihydroprogesterone and androstenedione was similar with either substrate. Testes from 1-, 21-, and 40-day-old chicks incubated with progesterone as a substrate had a very low testosterone: androstenedione production ratio (0.05). In mature animals, however, more testosterone than androstenedione was produced from radioactive progesterone and the production ratio testosterone: androstenedione was 24.