Effects of the Homeopathic Preparation Engystol on Interferon-γ Production by Human T-Lymphocytes

There is a growing interest in complementary medical practices, but few studies have investigated mechanisms behind the possible benefits. The effects of the homeopathic preparation Engystol on interferon-γ producing T-lymphocytes were studied in vitro. Lymphocytes were isolated from 30 healthy human volunteers and the percentage of interferon-γ producing cells was analysed by fluorescence activated cell sorting. Cells were treated with NaCl (control) or Engystol at concentrations from undiluted to 2%. All concentrations of Engystol increased the percentage of interferon-γ producing lymphocytes significantly, from a mean of 20.9% ± 10.5% to over 24%. There was no dose‐dependence of the effect at the concentrations tested.     

Functional Characterization of Novel Mutations Affecting Survivin (BIRC5)‐Mediated Therapy Resistance in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Survivin (BIRC5) is an acknowledged cancer therapy‐resistance factor and overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Driven by its nuclear export signal (NES), Survivin shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, and is detectable in both cellular compartments in tumor biopsies. Although predominantly nuclear Survivin is considered a favorable prognostic disease marker for HNSCC patients, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not resolved. Hence, we performed immunohistochemical and mutational analyses using laser capture microdissection on HNSCC biopsies from patients displaying high levels of nuclear Survivin. We found somatic BIRC5 mutations, c.278T>C (p.Phe93Ser), c.292C>T (p.Leu98Phe), and c.288A>G (silent), in tumor cells, but not in corresponding normal tissues. Comprehensive functional characterization of the Survivin mutants by ectopic expression and microinjection experiments revealed that p.Phe93Ser, but not p.Leu98Phe inactivated Survivin's NES, resulted in a predominantly nuclear protein, and attenuated Survivin's dual cytoprotective activity against chemoradiation‐induced apoptosis. Notably, in xenotransplantation studies, HNSCC cells containing the p.Phe93Ser mutation responded significantly better to cisplatin‐based chemotherapy. Collectively, our results underline the disease relevance of Survivin's nucleocytoplasmic transport, and provide first evidence that genetic inactivation of Survivin's NES may account for predominantly nuclear Survivin and increased therapy response in cancer patients.     

Correction: Tantalum(v) 1,3-propanediolate β-diketonate solution as a precursor to sol–gel derived,metal oxide thin films

Correction for ‘Tantalum(v) 1,3-propanediolate β-diketonate solution as a precursor to sol–gel derived, metal oxide thin films’ by Christopher Beale et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 13737–13748, DOI: 10.1039/D0RA02558E.

The authors regret that the plasma treatment and printing parameters were reported incorrectly in the subsection “Deposition on a-SiO₂ for UV/Vis spectrophotometry” in the Experimental section of the original article.Before printing, the substrate for both samples was subjected to an argon plasma treatment for 5 minutes (150 W, 0.6 mbar). The plasma power is now corrected to be the same as stated in the “Deposition on a-SiO₂ for Raman/XRD” subsection, where originally it was incorrectly stated that “the power was set slightly higher” for the Raman/XRD samples. For both the acetylacetone and benzoylacetone inks, the inks were printed on their respective substrates with a 75 μm drop pitch having dimensions of 400 × 220 drops to create a uniform layer.The correct section is as follows:     

Atraumatic Pulsatile Leukocyte Circulation for Long‐Term In Vitro Dynamic Culture and Adhesion Assays

Low flow rate pumping of cell suspensions finds current applications in bioreactors for short‐term dynamic cell culture and adhesion assays. The aim of this study was to develop an atraumatic pump and hemodynamically adapted test circuit to allow operating periods of at least several hours. A computer‐controlled mini‐pump (MP) was constructed based on non‐occlusive local compression of an elastic tube with commercial bi‐leaflet valves directing the pulsatile flow into a compliant circuit. Cell damage and activation in the system were tested with whole blood in comparison with a set with a conventional peristaltic pump (PP). Activation of circulating THP‐1 monocytes was tested by measuring the expression of CD54 (ICAM‐1). Additionally, monocyte‐endothelial interactions were monitored using a parallel‐plate flow chamber with an artificial stenosis. The system required a priming volume of only 20 mL, delivering a peak pulsatile flow of up to 35 mL/min. After 8 h, blood hemolysis was significantly lower for MP with 11 ± 3 mg/dL compared with PP with 100 ± 16 mg/dL. CD142 (tissue factor) expression on blood monocytes was 50% lower for MP. With MP, THP‐1 cells could be pumped for extended periods (17 h), with no enhanced expression of CD54 permitting the long‐term co‐culture of THP‐1 with endothelial cells and the analysis of flow pattern effects on cell adhesion. A low‐damage assay setup was developed, which allows the pulsatile flow of THP‐1 cells and investigation of their interaction with other cells or surfaces for extended periods of time.