Differential cytoskeletal changes during growth cone collapse in response to hSema III and thrombin

Growth cones are known as the site of action of many factors that influence neurite growth behavior. To assess how different collapsing agents influence the growth cone cytoskeleton, we used recombinant human Semaphorin III (hSema III) and the serine protease thrombin. Embryonic chick dorsal root ganglion neurons showed a dramatic depolymerization of actin filaments within 5 min upon hSema III exposure and virtually no influence on microtubules (MT). Only at later time points (20-30 min) was the polymerization/depolymerization rate of MT significantly affected. Thrombin induced a morphologically and kinetically similar growth cone collapse. Moreover, thrombin induced an early and selective depolymerization of dynamic MT, accompanied by the formation of loops of stable MT bundles. Selective changes in the phosphorylation pattern of tau were associated with microtubule assembly in thrombin-induced responses. Our data provide evidence that different signal transduction pathways lead to distinct changes of the growth cone cytoskeleton.     

Human phase I vaccine trials of 3 recombinant asexual stage malaria antigens with Montanide ISA720 adjuvant

Two phase I vaccine trials were conducted to test the immunogenicity and safety of a vaccine containing three recombinant malaria antigens from the asexual stage of Plasmodium falciparum. The three antigens are a fragment of MSP1 (190LCS.T3); MSP2 and a portion of RESA and were formulated in Montanide ISA720 adjuvant. These trials investigated the dose response of each antigen for eliciting both antibody and T-cell responses and the immunogenicity of a mixture of the antigens compared with the antigens injected separately. All three antigens elicited both antibody and T-cell responses. Strong T-cell responses were observed with 190LCS.T3 and RESA with stimulation indices exceeding 100 for peripheral blood leucocytes in some individuals. The antibody responses were generally weak. The human antibody responses observed with MSP2 in Montanide ISA720 were not significantly different from those obtained in an earlier trial which used MSP2 with alum as the adjuvant. No antigenic competition was observed: volunteers receiving a mixture of antigens had similar responses to those receiving the three antigens at separate sites. Tenderness and pain at the injection site were common over the first few days following immunization. In some volunteers, especially those receiving the highest doses tested, there was a delayed reaction at the injection site with pain and swelling occurring approximately 10 days after injection.     

Rare, but severe complication of varicose vein surgery. Compartment syndrome

The compartment syndrome is an extremely rare complication after varicose vein surgery. If the early symptoms are not recognized and a treatment is not performed immediately most patients lose sensomotory function. Three cases with compartment syndrome after varicose vein stripping were the reason to point out the anatomy and pathophysiology of this complication and to explain the surgical technique.     

Flavonoid and lignan intake and pancreatic cancer risk in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition cohort

Despite the potential cancer preventive effects of flavonoids and lignans, their ability to reduce pancreatic cancer risk has not been demonstrated in epidemiological studies. Our aim was to examine the association between dietary intakes of flavonoids and lignans and pancreatic cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. A total of 865 exocrine pancreatic cancer cases occurred after 11.3 years of follow‐up of 477,309 cohort members. Dietary flavonoid and lignan intake was estimated through validated dietary questionnaires and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Phenol Explorer databases. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using age, sex and center‐stratified Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for energy intake, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol and diabetes status. Our results showed that neither overall dietary intake of flavonoids nor of lignans were associated with pancreatic cancer risk (multivariable‐adjusted HR for a doubling of intake = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.95–1.11 and 1.02; 95% CI: 0.89–1.17, respectively). Statistically significant associations were also not observed by flavonoid subclasses. An inverse association between intake of flavanones and pancreatic cancer risk was apparent, without reaching statistical significance, in microscopically confirmed cases (HR for a doubling of intake = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.91–1.00). In conclusion, we did not observe an association between intake of flavonoids, flavonoid subclasses or lignans and pancreatic cancer risk in the EPIC cohort.     

Fewer Preterm Births in the First COVID-19 Pandemic Year? An Evaluation of the Berlin Perinatal Data for the Years 2017 to 2020

Introduction The study analyzes and interprets possible effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the preterm birth rate. Research questions included: were there fewer preterm births in Berlin in 2020, the first year of the pandemic, compared to the three years before the pandemic? Were there differences in preterm birth rates grouped according to weeks of gestation? Method The perinatal data of all singleton pregnancies were evaluated with regard to birth rates in Berlin, and the numbers of preterm neonates born in the three pre-pandemic years from 2017 to 2019 were compared to the rate for 2020, the first year of the pandemic. Results The overall number of singleton pregnancies born in maternity hospitals and labor wards in Berlin decreased in the first year of the pandemic. The percentage of preterm neonates born before 37 + 0 weeks of gestation (GW) was significantly lower in 2020 compared to the three previous years, with significantly more preterm neonates born before 28 + 0 GW and significantly fewer preterm neonates born between 28 + 0 to 35 + 0 GW. In 2020, significantly fewer neonates born before 37 + 0 weeks of gestation were delivered by primary caesarean section. The incidence of induced births was approximately the same. Conclusions In the first year of the pandemic, a range of social, iatrogenic, and biological factors may have had an impact on preterm birth rates. A Germany-wide evaluation of perinatal data across different German federal states for the period 2020 to 2022 would offer the opportunity to identify the causes of this lower rate of preterm births and determine whether conclusions can be drawn from this which would affect future strategies to reduce preterm birth rates.