Metabolic reprogramming in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The first observations of altered metabolism in malignant cells were made nearly 100 years ago and therapeutic strategies targeting cell metabolism have been in clinical use for several decades.  In this review, we summarize our current understanding of cell metabolism dysregulation in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (cALL). Reprogramming of cellular bioenergetic processes can be expected in the three distinct stages of cALL: at diagnosis, during standard chemotherapy, and in cases of relapse. Upregulation of glycolysis, dependency on anaplerotic energy sources, and activation of the electron transport chain have all been observed in cALL. While the current treatment strategies are tackling some of these aberrations, cALL cells are likely to be able to rewire their metabolism in order to escape therapy, which may contribute to a refractory disease and relapse. Finally, here we focus on novel therapeutic approaches emerging from our evolving understanding of the alterations of different metabolic networks in lymphoblasts.     

Elevated IgG and IgM Autoantibodies to Advanced Glycation End Products of Vascular Elastin in Hypertensive Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Relevance to Disease Initiation and Progression

The increased glycation of elastin is an important factor in vascular changes in diabetes. Using the ELISA method, we determined serum levels of IgM and IgG autoantibodies to advanced glycation end products of vascular elastin (anti-AGE EL IgM and anti-AGE EL IgG) in 59 hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and 20 healthy controls. Serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and the C-reactive protein (CRP) were also determined. The levels of anti-AGE EL IgM antibodies in the T2D group were similar to those in the control group, while those of anti-AGE EL IgG antibodies were significantly higher (p = 0.017). Significant positive correlations were found between the levels of anti-AGE EL IgM antibodies and MMP-2 (r = 0.322; p = 0.013) and between the levels of anti-AGE EL IgG antibodies and CRP (r = 0.265; p = 0.042). Our study showed that elevated anti-AGE EL IgG antibody levels may be an indicator of the enhanced AGE-modification and inflammatory-mediated destruction of vascular elastin in hypertensive patients with T2D. Anti-AGE EL IgM antibodies may reflect changes in vascular MMP-2 activity, and their elevated levels may be a sign of early vascular damage.     

Detection and characterization of OXA-48-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae originated in Bulgaria

We report the identification of OXA-48-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, causing peritonitis in a cancer patient admitted to the Oncology Hospital in Sofia. The isolate had reduced susceptibility to carbapenems but remained susceptible to extended-spectrum cephalosporins. PCR and sequencing confirmed the presence of bla_OXA-48 gene flanked by two intact copies of IS1999 on truncated ΔTn1999.1. This transposon was located on unusual non-typeable 29-kb plasmid that could be transferred only by transformation. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) indicated the presence of the sequence type ST530.This is the first documented infection due to OXA-48-producing Enterobacteriaceae strain in Bulgaria.     

Acidiella bohemica gen. et sp. nov. and Acidomyces spp. (Teratosphaeriaceae), the indigenous inhabitants of extremely acidic soils in Europe

Extremely acidic soils (pH?<?3) harbour mycobiota that are different from less acidic habitats and are dominated by a small number of fungal species. During investigation of the mycobiota of highly acidic soils in the Czech Republic and Iceland, a group of melanised fungal isolates was obtained. Based on phenotype and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences (ITS region, SSU, LSU), the isolates were accommodated by three phylogenetic lineages within the family Teratosphaeriaceae (Capnodiales, Dothideomycetes). The first lineage is here described as a new acidotolerant genus and species Acidiella bohemica gen. nov. et sp. nov. The most closely related species to this new clade are other extremotolerant fungi isolated from rocks and lichens collected in the Alps and Antarctica as well as leaf-spotting species and opportunistic human pathogens. The isolates belonging to the second and the third lineages were identified as the recently described acidophilic fungi Acidomyces acidophilus and Teratosphaeria acidotherma, respectively. The taxonomic status of both sister species is discussed and the latter species is ascribed here to the genus Acidomyces.     

Post-traumatic onset of secondary progression of gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is a benign enlargement of the male breast which can be a source of significant anxiety and embarrassment for the patients. A great variety of etiologic factors have been investigated and discussed. However, only few studies in the literature have accentuated on the possible role of the chronic tissue trauma for the de novo development of gynecomastia. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism of its onset in such cases remains unclear. The authors report on a case of posttraumatic unilateral progression of preexisting stable gynecomastia. The possible role of a single episode of acute trauma as a trigger mechanism for the new onset of the breast enlargement is discussed.Level of Evidence: Level V, risk/prognostic study.     

Assessment of current International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging of vulvar carcinoma relative to prognostic factors for survival (a Gynecologic Oncology Group study)

Analysis of 588 patients with vulvar carcinoma delineated four risk groups by the proportional hazards model. Groin node status (laterality and number positive) and lesion diameter were the only two important independent prognostic factors. The 5-year relative survival rates were 98%, 87%, 75%, and 29% for the risk group categories of minimal (negative groin nodes and lesion diameter less than or equal to 2 cm), low (one positive groin node and lesion diameter less than or equal to 2 cm or negative groin nodes and fewer than two lesions less than or equal to 8 cm diameter), intermediate (negative groin nodes and lesion diameter greater than 8 cm diameter, one positive groin node and lesion diameter greater than 2 cm, or two unilaterally positive groin nodes and lesion diameter less than or equal to 8 cm), and high (three or more positive groin nodes or two bilaterally positive groin nodes), respectively. Applying the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging (1988) to these data discriminated risk of death (caused by recurrent vulvar cancer); the 5-year rates were 98%, 85%, 74%, and 31% for stages I, II, III, and IV, respectively. However, within International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III there were 47 low-, 95 intermediate-, and 28 high-risk patients with relative survivals of 95%, 74%, and 34%, respectively. Overall, this assessment validates current International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics vulvar carcinoma staging, but further refinements are warranted in stage III.     

Whole-abdomen radiation therapy in ovarian carcinoma: its role as a salvage therapeutic modality

A significant proportion of patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma eventually fail after initial responses to chemotherapy. Further treatment with chemotherapy consisting of either the same combination or second-line regimens has been ineffective in producing durable responses. Thus, between June 1983 and June 1987, thirty patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma who failed one or more chemotherapeutic regimens were treated with whole-abdominopelvic-cavity radiation therapy. Prior to the radiation the amount of residual disease after debulking was noted to be microscopic in 16 patients and macroscopic in 14 patients. Radiation was delivered with an open-field technique that extended from the domes of the diaphragm to the obturator foramina. Doses of 2500 cGy were planned to the whole abdomen, with a boost of another 2500 cGy to the pelvic and or paraaortic nodes when indicated. Higher doses were delivered to the areas of gross disease in the pelvis. Only 2 patients were unable to complete the planned therapy. Another 26% of the patients required interruption of the therapy secondary to hematologic toxicity but eventually completed the treatment. With an overall median follow-up of 14 months, 56% of the patients remain alive. Two-year actuarial survival and recurrence-free survival rates are 47 and 32%, respectively. The survival and recurrence-free survival rates for the group with microscopic residual disease--61 and 33%, respectively--are better than those for the patients with macroscopic residual disease--36 and 18%. The abdominopelvic cavity was the first site of failure in all but one of the 17 patients who have failed. In spite of the higher doses, pelvic failure alone or as a component occurred in 54% of the patients. Small bowel obstruction necessitating surgical intervention as a complication of therapy was seen in 13% of the patients.     

Radiation therapy in primary carcinoma of the vagina

A retrospective analysis of 32 patients with carcinoma of the vagina treated with curative radiotherapy between 1965 and 1981 is presented. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histologic type, found in 78% of the patients. Patients were staged according to the FIGO system. Stage I and II disease was found in 8 and 18 patients, respectively. Six patients had either Stage III or IV disease. The absolute survival rate was 100% for Stage I and 72% for Stage II patients. The pattern of failure was analyzed. All patients who failed had done so within 14 months of completion of treatment. Treatment failure in the pelvis occurred only in 16% of the patients with early disease (Stages I and II) while 81% of the patients with late stage had failed in the pelvis.     

Use of fibrin glue in the prevention of leakage in pancreatico-jejunal anastomoses

The aim of this study was to test the protective effects of fibrin sealing on the pancreatico-jejunostomy (PJA), the high-risk anastomosis following pancreas head resection. Experimental study was performed on the mongrel dogs, divided in two groups (20 animals each): Experimental group-with end to end "dunking" PJA, protected by temporary occlusion of the pancreatic duct with fibrin sealant/Tissucol/Immuno Ag/, while control group was without any protective procedure. The animals were followed 5 months in order to study: protective effects of such procedure on the PJA quantified with the percent of anastomotic leakage, effects of the exocrine secretion and effects the endocrine function Results: PJA leakage occurred in 13.33% in control group. No leakage was registered in experimental group. Biochemical, histological and electron microscopic study showed slight transitory elevation of amylase levels. Fibrin glue plug was dissolved and pancreatic juice output was reestablished 12th days postoperatively. Long term follow-up showed no damages of the endocrine and exocrine pancreas. Pancreatic duct occlusion with fibrin glue appeared to be an useful method in the prevention of pancreatico-jejunostomy leakage, without negative effects on the exocrine and endocrine pancreas.