Glucose metabolism in bone marrow cells and granulocytes of adult mice after X-ray (5 Gy) irradiation: relationship to cell functionality

Our experiments focused on the metabolic implications of the residual haemopoietic damage in adult mice given 5 Gy X-rays. Bone marrow cells from irradiated mice exhibited an increase in protein synthesis and a decrease in ATP levels, which could be related to the enhancement of the proliferative activity of haemopoietic precursor cells. However, the kinetic parameters ( V _max and K _m) of glucose uptake, the glycolytic flux and the hexose monophospate (HMP) shunt activity were similar to those found in the control group. On the other hand, a reduction of glucose uptake ( V _max) was found in both resting and stimulated granulocytes from irradiated mice. This reduction was accompanied by a decrease in the glycolytic rate and ATP levels. However, HMP shunt activity was similar in resting granulocytes in both the control and the irradiated mice. The stimulation by PMA produced a significantly higher increase in the activity of the pathway in granulocytes from the irradiated mice and was in accordance with the enhancement of superoxide anion production that has been previously described in these cells.     

Mapping molecular binding by means of conformational dynamics measurements

Protein–protein interactions are key in virtually all biological processes. The study of these interactions and the interfaces that mediate them play a key role in the understanding of biological function. In particular, the observation of protein–protein interactions in their dynamic environment is technically difficult. Here two surface analysis techniques, dual polarization interferometry and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring, were paired for real-time mapping of the conformational dynamics of protein–protein interactions. Our approach monitors this dynamics in real time and in situ, which is a great advancement within technological platforms for drug discovery. Results agree with the experimental observations of the interaction between the TRIM21α protein and circulating autoantibodies via a bridging bipolar mechanism. This work provides a new chip-based method to monitor conformational dynamics of protein–protein interactions, which is amenable to miniaturized high-throughput determination.

Protein–protein interactions are key in virtually all biological processes.     

Validity and reliability of the TargetScan ISSF Pistol & Rifle application for measuring shooting performance

Several technologies, with varying economic costs, are used to measure the performance of Olympic sport shooters, including electronic targets, laser systems, and mobile phone applications. Nevertheless, the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) does not currently accept any mobile applications as valid measurement systems. The objective of the study was to check the validity and reliability of the TargetScan ISSF Pistol & Rifle application, an automatic mobile application for measuring the performance of shooters via image analysis. A total of 1440 shots were fired by 24 shooters (720 shots each for the air rifle and air pistol events), and the target sheets were analyzed with the application installed on an iPhone X. The official competition results and the measurements from the application were then compared. The results showed an almost perfect reliability for air pistol shots (ICC = .999) and no significant differences between the official average scores and those measured by the application. The reliability was also high for air rifle shots (ICC = .998), but the average scores registered by the application were statistically lower than the official results. We concluded that TargetScan ISSF Pistol & Rifle is a low‐cost, valid, and reliable application for measuring amateur and semi‐professional shooting performance which may be useful to shooters, coaches, clubs, and federations worldwide.     

Initial results of a new procedure for treatment of malignant obstruction of the left colon

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to analyze the results obtained in 38 unselected patients using a new and original procedure for treatment of malignant obstructions of the left colon. METHOD: This procedure involves three phases: 1) resolution of the obstruction by means of a stem placed at the site of the tumor; 2) recovery of the general state of the patient, study of the extent of disease, and mechanical preparation of the colon; 3) regulated and final surgery (if this is not suitable, the stent may be used as definitive palliative treatment). RESULTS: In 35 patients (92 percent), the obstruction was resolved with the stent. In 22 patients the three phases were completed, and in 13 patients the stent constituted definitive palliative treatment. Only one patient (2.6 percent) died after resection of the tumor. CONCLUSION: This procedure offers a new, safe, and efficacious option for treatment of neoplastic colorectal obstructions.     

Retrospective study of tolerance to short initiation schedules in subcutaneous immunotherapy.

With the aim of evaluating tolerance to new shorter initiation schedules in subcutaneous immunotherapy everyday clinical practice, a study was carried out using Pangramin Plus with initiation periods between 3 (Cluster) and 6 (Plus) weeks. All the information was processed retrospectively and both systemic (SR) and local (LR) adverse reactions occurring between September 2002 and February 2003 were recorded. A total of 353 patients (261 Plus and 91 Cluster) were included and 2,886 doses were administered (2,166 in initiation and 720 in maintenance). Of these, 800 were with Grass mix extract, 1,141 Grass mix + Olea, 273 Olea, 73 Dermatophagoides mix and 599 Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. As regards adverse reactions (AR), 2.8% of patients showed SR and 4.8% LR, 1.2% of doses caused some type of reaction (SR and LR in 0.3% and 0.9%, respectively). The initiation schedule, first dose or allergens resulted in no significant differences in the frequency of adverse reactions. The Grass mix extract showed the highest frequency of AR. Sixty-seven percent of SR and 68% of LR were delayed. 64% of these reactions resolved spontaneously while the rest responded favourably to treatment. Adrenaline was administered on one occasion for immediate asthma. There were no cases of anaphylactic shock, hospitalisation or life-threatening situations. Pangramin Plus tolerance, therefore, can be classified as good, similar to conventional schedules, but with the benefits of shorter initiation schedules.     

Impact of mechanical circulatory support on survival in pediatric heart transplantation

Evidence on the impact of MCS on pediatric heart transplant survival is still scarce related to congenital heart disease patients including univentricular physiology as well as the risk factors for complications. We performed a retrospective review of all urgent pediatric (aged ≤16 years) HT from 2004 to 2014 in the Spanish Pediatric Heart Transplant Registry Group. Patients were stratified into two groups: urgent 0 (MCS at HT) and urgent 1 (non‐MCS at HT). The primary outcome measure was post‐transplant survival; secondary outcome measures were complications and absence of infections and rejection during the first post‐transplant year. One hundred twenty‐one pediatric patients underwent urgent HT, 58 (47.9%) urgent 0 and 63 (52%) urgent 1. There were 30 (24.8%) deaths: 12 in the urgent 0 group and 18 in the urgent 1 group, P = n.s. Regarding the type of MCS, patients on ECMO had the highest rate of complications (80%) and mortality (40%). Patients in the urgent 1 group showed a higher risk of hospital re‐admission for infection during the first year after transplantation (OR 2.31 [1.1‐4.82]), P = .025. We did not identify a risk factor for mortality. MCS does not impact negatively on survival after HT. However, there is a significant increase in 30‐day and 1‐year mortality and complications in ECMO patients compared with VAD patients. Infants, congenital heart disease, and PediMACS were not found to be risk factors for mortality.     

Gemcitabine,paclitaxel, and oxaliplatin (GEMPOX) in the treatment of relapsed/refractory intracranial nongerminomatous germ cell tumors

Intracranial germ cell tumors (GCT) account for less than 5% of all central nervous system tumors in children in Western countries. Approximately 40% are nongerminomatous GCT (NGGCT). Despite correct treatment, 16% to 47% of the patients will relapse. There are no standard approaches in case of recurrence, and treatment in this situation remains a challenge. We report three patients diagnosed with relapsed intracranial NGGCT treated with gemcitabine, paclitaxel, and oxaliplatin, in whom the tumor showed a remarkable response with normalization of tumor markers.     

Measuring quality of life among cervical cancer survivors: preliminary assessment of instrumentation validity in a cross-cultural study

Background With growing interest in cross-cultural and multicultural cancer-related quality of life studies, the need to assess reliability and validity of quality of life measures for linguistically and culturally diverse cancer survivors is pressing. Methods Reliability and validity of the English and Spanish versions of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)-G subscales were tested with a sample of English-speaking European American (n = 273) and ethnic minority American (n = 194), and Spanish-speaking Latina (n = 199) cervical cancer survivors in the U.S. Results Reliability coefficients (Cronbach’s alpha) were 0.76 or higher across ethnic/linguistic groups except for the emotional wellbeing subscale among Spanish-speaking Latinas (α = 0.64). Factor analyses demonstrated overall measurement equivalence across groups with some ethnic/linguistic variations: there were greater differences between linguistic groups than between ethnic groups. Additionally, the scale’s factor structure was less satisfactory for Spanish-speaking Latinas. The subscales had good concurrent validity with appropriate subscales of the Short Form (SF)-12 and Rand/SF-36 General Health subscale (Pearson’s r 0.53–0.66), suggesting each subscale was assessing its intended construct. Conclusion The overall psychometric properties of the FACT-G were cross-culturally equivalent. However, more validation studies are needed for non-English speaking populations particularly with emotional wellbeing. In addition, disaggregated analyses on linguistic groups are recommended unless cross-cultural equivalence is established. All participants in this study have provided written informed consent as required by the University of California at Los Angeles Institutional Review Board.