The efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy?+/??letrozole in postmenopausal women with locally advanced breast cancer: a randomized phase III clinical trial

This two-arm randomized clinical study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant concurrent chemotherapy and letrozole in postmenopausal women with locally advanced breast carcinoma. One hundred and one postmenopausal women aged 50-83 years with pathologically proven locally advanced (clinical stage T3, T4 and/or N2, N3) breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone (control arm, n = 51) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy concurrent with letrozole 2.5 mg (study arm, n = 50). Chemotherapy consisted of a median 4 (range 3-5) cycles of intravenous 5-fluorouracil 600 mg/m(2), doxorubicin 60 mg/m(2), and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m(2), every three weeks. All patients subsequently underwent modified radical mastectomy approximately two weeks after the last cycle of chemotherapy. Pathologic complete response rates were 25.5% and 10.2% in the study and the control group, respectively (P = 0.049). Similarly, clinical complete response rates were 27.6% and 10.2% in the study and the control group, respectively (P = 0.037). In the subgroup analysis of hormone receptor-positive cases, the complete response rates were more prominent in study group compared with control group. Common treatment-related side effects such as nausea, vomiting, bone marrow suppression, and mucositis were similar in both groups, but hot flush was more prevalent in study group compared with control group (P = 0.023). The addition of letrozole concurrently with neoadjuvant chemotherapy provides a higher clinical and pathologic response rates with acceptable toxicity compared with chemotherapy alone in postmenopausal women with locally advanced sensitive breast cancer.     

Avoidance and escape conditioning adjust adult neurogenesis to conserve a fit hippocampus in adult male rodents

In this study, the connection between cognitive behaviors and the adult rodent hippocampus was investigated. Recording field potentials at performant pathway (PP)–hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) synapses in transverse slices from the dorsal (d), intermediate (i), and ventral (v) hippocampus showed differences in paired-pulse responses and long-term potentiation in rats. The Barnes maze (BM) and passive avoidance (PA) tests indicated a decrease in escape latency and step-through latency in both rats and mice over training days. A decrease in the use of random or sequential strategy while an increase in the use of direct strategy to search for an escape box occurred in both groups. Evaluation of the levels of neurogenesis markers (Ki67 and BrdU/NeuN) by immunofluorescence assay in the dDG, iDG, and vDG revealed a long-axis disparity in the hippocampal dentate baseline cell proliferation and exposure to the BM and PA task changed the profile of baseline cell proliferation along the DG in both rats and mice. Also, these learning experiences changed the profile of BrdU⁺/NeuN⁺ cells along the DG of rats. Quantitation of hippocampal BDNF protein levels using ELISA exhibited no changes in BDNF levels due to learning experiences in rats. We demonstrate that PP–DG synaptic efficacy and neurogenesis are organized along a gradient. Avoidance and escape conditioning themselves are sufficient to change and calibrate adult neurogenesis along the hippocampal long axis in rodents. Further research will be required to determine the precise mechanisms underlying the role of experience-derived neuroplasticity in cognitive function and decline.     

Single whisker experience started on postnatal days 0, 5 or 8 changes temporal characteristics of response integration in layers IV and V of rat barrel cortex neurons

Neonatal single whisker experience changes the response properties of spared barrel neurons to deflections of principal and adjacent whiskers. However little is known about the temporal characteristics of the paired whisker inputs. To address this issue we used computer controlled mechanical displacement of paired whiskers in control and plucked animals (plucking of all whiskers but D2 started at 0, 5 and 8 postnatal days). The principal whisker (PW) and its caudal adjacent whisker (AW) were deflected simultaneously or serially at different inter-stimulus intervals (10, 20, 30, 50 and 100 ms). Neuronal responses were recorded in D2 spared barrel both in layers IV and V. In the control group, combined deflection of AW prior to PW led to suppression of ON and OFF responses to PW deflection both in layers IV and V. The magnitude of this suppression was strongly dependent on the inter-stimulus intervals (ISIs). At almost all tested ISIs, whisker plucking from P0, P5 and P8 weakened suppressive interactions in layers IV and V barrel neurons for both ON and OFF responses. The most decrease in inhibitory interactions was observed in P5 plucked animals. Principal whisker-evoked ON responses were increased only in P0 plucked animals both in layers IV and V. AW-evoked ON responses are decreased in P5 plucked animals in layer IV. The available data suggest that sensory experience can modulate temporal aspects of response integration and receptive field properties of layers IV and V neurons in barrel cortex. These changes have different critical periods.     

Effect of low frequency stimulation of perforant path on kindling rate and synaptic transmission in the dentate gyrus during kindling acquisition in rats

Low frequency stimulation (LFS) has an inhibitory effect on kindling acquisition. In the present study the effect of the perforant path LFS on induction of rapid perforant path kindled seizures and synaptic transmission in the dentate gyrus was investigated. Animals were kindled by perforant path stimulation in a rapid kindling manner (12 stimulations per day). In one group of animals LFS (0.1 ms pulse duration at 1 Hz, 200 pulses, and 50-150 microA) was applied to perforant path, immediately after termination of each rapid kindling stimulation. Application of LFS significantly retarded the kindling acquisition and increased the number of stimulations to achieved different kindled seizure stages. LFS also prevented an increment in the slope of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials and population spike amplitude during kindling. In addition, LFS significantly reduced the marked increase in early (10-50 ms intervals) and late (300-1000 ms intervals) paired-pulse depression induced by kindling. According to obtained results, it may be suggested that LFS of perforant path has a significant antiepileptogenic effect through inhibition of synaptic transmission in dentate gyrus. Meanwhile, LFS prevents an increase in the paired-pulse depression during kindling acquisition.     

Prevalence of substance use among offspring of opioid addicts

AIMS: This study assessed the prevalence of substance use in sons and daughters of opioids addicts in Iran. MEASUREMENTS: A confidential semistructured interview and DSM-IV criteria were used. Data were gathered from 500 subjects (225 men and 275 women). These subjects were selected randomly from sons and daughters of 500 opioids addicts (out of 1500 opioids addicts) who sought treatment in 2000. RESULTS: Of these subjects, 33.8% were in the age range of 20-29, 33.1% in 30-39, 28% were >40, and 7.1% were <20 years; of them, 81.6% were married and 18.4% were single. The majority (36.2%) used cigarettes, 19% used opium, 18.2% used alcohol, 2.6% used hashish, and 1.6% used marijuana once or more at some time in their lives. Nobody used cocaine or psychedelics. Of the current substance dependents, using DMS-IV criteria, 46.7% of men and 5.5% of women were nicotine dependent, 12.9% of men and 1.1% of women were opium dependent, and 0.9% of men and 0.7% of women were heroin dependent. (Some used or were using more than one substance.) Enjoyment (56.8%) was the first and modeling (49.6%) was the second most common reason reported for substance use. CONCLUSIONS: Substance use was significantly higher in men, in single, and also in illiterate subjects. There was a nonsignificant relation between age group and substance use. Cultural attitudes toward drug use quite likely affect the type and amounts of use. These findings can be considered when planning preventive programs.     

The expansion of CD14+ CD163+ subpopulation of monocytes and myeloid cells‐associated cytokine imbalance; candidate diagnostic biomarkers for celiac disease (CD)

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder of small intestine against dietary gluten, among genetically predisposed individuals. Monocytes are versatile innate immune cells involved in the regulation of inflammation, and strongly involved in the intestinal immunity. However, the role of monocytes and their subtypes in CD is not well demonstrated.MethodsHere, we assessed the polarization of CD14+ monocytes by evaluating the M1 (CD16) and M2 (CD163) markers by flowcytometry, their soluble forms (sCD16 and sCD163), and the serum levels of IL‐10, IL‐12, TGF‐β, and TNF‐α cytokines using ELISA method, among 30 CD patients and 30 sex‐ and age‐matched healthy subjects (HS). We also analyzed the diagnostic values of all variables with significant differences.ResultsCD14+CD163+ monocytes were more frequent in CD patients than HS, while CD14+CD16+ monocytes were higher in HS. IL‐10and TNF‐α increased, and TGF‐β expression was decreased among CD patients. The sCD16 serum levels were elevated in patients, while sCD163 was higher but not significant among CD patients. CD163+/CD16+ and IL‐10/IL‐12 ratios were higher in CD patients, and TGFβ/TNFα ratio was higher in HS group. IL‐10, CD14+CD163+, TNF‐α, and IL‐10/IL‐12 ratios with the AUC over 0.7 were introduced as fair diagnostic markers. Our findings revealed that the M2 (CD14+CD163+) monocytes were more frequent among CD patients, and the cytokine balance was disturbed.ConclusionAccording to the significant functional diversities of monocyte subtypes between CD patients and HS group, these immunologic markers could be introduced as specific diagnostic biomarkers for CD.     

Design,synthesis, biological evaluation,and molecular dynamics of novel cholinesterase inhibitors as anti‐Alzheimer's agents

A series of novel chroman‐4‐one derivatives were designed and synthesized successfully with good to excellent yield ( 3a–l ). In addition, the obtained products were evaluated for their cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitory activities. The results show that among the various synthesized compounds, analogs bearing the piperidinyl ethoxy side chain with 4‐hydroxybenzylidene on the 3‐positions of chroman‐4‐one ( 3l ) showed the most potent activity with respect to acetylcholinesterase (anti‐AChE activity; IC₅₀ = 1.18 μM). In addition, the structure–activity relationship was studied and the results revealed that the electron‐donating groups on the aryl ring of the 3‐benzylidene fragment ( 3k , 3l ) resulted in the designed compounds to be more potent ChE inhibitors in comparison with those having electron‐withdrawing groups ( 3h ). In this category, the strongest ChE inhibition was found for the compound containing piperidine as cyclic amine, and a hydroxyl group (for AChE, compound 3l ) and fluoro group (for butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE, compound 3i ) on the para‐position of the aryl ring of the benzylidene group. The molecular docking and dynamics studies of the most potent compounds ( 3i and 3l against BuChE and AChE, respectively) demonstrated remarkable interactions with the binding pockets of the ChE enzymes and confirmed the results obtained through in vitro experiments.     

Effect of different patterns of low-frequency stimulation on piriform cortex kindled seizures

Low-frequency stimulation (LFS) is an antiepileptic and antiepileptogenic electrical stimulation. In this study the effect of changes in some LFS (1Hz, monophasic square wave) parameters (intensity, pulse duration and train duration) on piriform cortex kindled seizures was investigated both in fully kindled rats and during kindling acquisition. In fully kindled animals, application of different patterns of LFS immediately before kindling stimulation had no significant effect on seizure parameters. However, daily (15 min) application of LFS (0.1 ms pulse duration at intensity equal to after-discharge threshold (ADT) and 1 ms pulse duration at intensity equal to 1/4 ADT) during inter-seizure interval of 7 days significantly reduced the stage 5 duration of the next kindled seizure. Application of the same two LFS protocols for 3 days and 2 weeks had no effect on seizure parameters. The effect of LFS was also tested using different paradigms during kindling acquisition. When LFS (0.1 and 1 ms pulse duration, intensity equal to ADT and 1/4 ADT) was delivered daily after each kindling stimulation, it could significantly decrease after-discharge duration in various days during kindling development. In this experiment, only LFS with 0.1 ms pulse duration and intensity equal to ADT significantly delayed the appearance of seizure stages 1 and 2. According to obtained results, it may be concluded that in fully kindled rats application of different patterns of LFS before kindling stimulation has no anticonvulsant effect, but it can exert an inhibitory effect when applied during an inter-seizure interval of 7 days. In addition, LFS has antiepileptogenic effect during kindling acquisition. These effects depend on the applied LFS parameters (e.g. intensity, pulse duration and train duration).     

CD20-targeting in B-cell malignancies: novel prospects for antibodies and combination therapies

Expression of CD20 antigen by the most of transformed B cells is believed to be the driving force for targeting this molecule by using anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies. While it is true that most lymphoma/leukemia patients can be cured, these regimens are limited by the emergence of treatment resistance. Based on these observations, development of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies and combination therapies have been recently proposed, in particular with the aim to optimize the cytotoxic activity. Here we outline a range of new experimental agents concerning the CD20 positive B-cell tumors which provide high benefit from conventional therapy.