Selenium has a protective role in caspase-3-dependent apoptosis induced by H2O2 in primary cultured pig thyrocytes

OBJECTIVE: Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), necessary for thyroid hormonogenesis, is produced at the apical surface of the thyroid follicular epithelium. Excess H2O2 is potentially cytotoxic and may contribute to the development of hypothyroidism, e.g. in severe selenium deficiency. Yet it is unclear how H2O2 contributes to thyroid cell death. DESIGN AND METHODS: H2O2-induced apoptosis and necrosis were studied in primary cultured pig thyroid cells. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was altered by culture in low serum with or without selenite substitution. Apoptosis was evaluated by spectrofluorometric measurement of caspase-3-specific substrate cleavage, and by analysis of DNA fragmentation by agarose gel electrophoresis. Necrosis was detected by 51Cr release from prelabeled cells. RESULTS: Exogenous H2O2 dose-dependently (100-400 micromol/l) activated caspase-3 within 3-12 h, and DNA degradation was observed after 24 h. The potency of H2O2 to induce apoptosis was low compared with that of staurosporine, a strong proapoptotic agent. H2O2-treated cells with reduced GPx activity showed increased caspase-3 activation. Incubation of serum-starved cells with selenite (10-100 nmol/l) normalized the GPx activity and reduced the activation of caspase-3 by H2O2. High H2O2 concentrations (400-800 micromol/l) were required to obtain necrosis. The H2O2-induced necrosis was exaggerated by both low GPx activity and catalase inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: Cytotoxic effects of H2O2 on thyroid cells include caspase-3-dependent apoptosis that occurs at H2O2 concentrations insufficient to induce necrosis. Selenium deficiency aggravates the apoptotic response, probably due to impaired capacity of GPx to degrade H2O2.     

Higher Annual Operator Volume Is Associated With Better Reperfusion Rates in Stroke Patients Treated by Mechanical Thrombectomy: The ETIS Registry

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine whether individual operator characteristics have an impact on reperfusion and procedural complication rates.

Development of Antifouling Polysulfone Membranes by Synergistic Modification with Two Different Additives in Casting Solution and Coagulation Bath: Synperonic F108 and Polyacrylic Acid

This study deals with the development of antifouling ultrafiltration membranes based on polysulfone (PSF) for wastewater treatment and the concentration and purification of hemicellulose and lignin in the pulp and paper industry. The efficient simple and reproducible technique of PSF membrane modification to increase antifouling performance by simultaneous addition of triblock copolymer polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol-polyethylene glycol (Synperonic F108, M_n =14 × 10³ g mol⁻¹) to the casting solution and addition of polyacrylic acid (PAA, M_n = 250 × 10³ g mol⁻¹) to the coagulation bath is proposed for the first time. The effect of the PAA concentration in the aqueous solution on the PSF/Synperonic F108 membrane structure, surface characteristics, performance, and antifouling stability was investigated. PAA concentrations were varied from 0.35 to 2.0 wt.%. Membrane composition, structure, and topology were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The addition of PAA into the coagulation bath was revealed to cause the formation of a thicker and denser selective layer with decreasing its pore size and porosity; according to the structural characterization, an interpolymer complex of the two additives was formed on the surface of the PSF membrane. Hydrophilicity of the membrane selective layer surface was shown to increase significantly. The selective layer surface charge was found to become more negative in comparison to the reference membrane. It was shown that PSF/Synperonic F108/PAA membranes are characterized by better antifouling performance in ultrafiltration of humic acid solution and thermomechanical pulp mill (ThMP) process water. Membrane modification with PAA results in higher ThMP process water flux, fouling recovery ratio, and hemicellulose and total lignin rejection compared to the reference PSF/Synperonic F108 membrane. This suggests the possibility of applying the developed membranes for hemicellulose concentration and purification.     

Activity of PD-1 blockade with nivolumab among patients with recurrent atypical/anaplastic meningioma: phase II trial results

BackgroundProgrammed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) contributes to tumor immunosuppression and is upregulated in aggressive meningiomas. We performed a phase II study of nivolumab, a programmed death 1 (PD-1) blocking antibody among patients with grade ≥2 meningioma that recurred after surgery and radiation therapy.MethodsTwenty-five patients received nivolumab (240 mg biweekly) until progression, voluntary withdrawal, unacceptable toxicity, or death. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) and quantification of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) were evaluated as potential immunocorrelative biomarkers. Change in neurologic function was prospectively assessed using the Neurologic Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (NANO) scale.ResultsEnrolled patients had multiple recurrences including ≥3 prior surgeries and ≥2 prior courses of radiation in 60% and 72%, respectively. Nivolumab was well tolerated with no unexpected adverse events. Six-month progression-free survival (PFS-6) rate was 42.4% (95% CI: 22.8, 60.7) and the median OS was 30.9 months (95% CI: 17.6, NA). One patient achieved radiographic response (ongoing at 4.5 years). TMB was >10/Mb in 2 of 15 profiled tumors (13.3%). Baseline TIL density was low but increased posttreatment in 3 patients including both patients with elevated TMB. Most patients who achieved PFS-6 maintained neurologic function prior to progression as assessed by NANO.ConclusionNivolumab was well tolerated but failed to improve PFS-6, although a subset of patients appeared to derive benefit. Low levels of TMB and TIL density were typically observed. NANO assessment of neurologic function contributed to outcome assessment. Future studies may consider rationally designed combinatorial regimens.