Evaluation of new alternative methods for the identification of estrogenic, androgenic and steroidogenic effects: a comparative in vitro/in silico study

A suite of in vitro assays and in silico models were evaluated to identify which best detected the endocrine-disrupting (ED) potential of 10 test chemicals according to their estrogenic, androgenic and steroidogenic (EAS) potential compared to the outcomes from ToxCast. In vitro methods included receptor-binding, CALUX transactivation, H295R steroidogenesis, aromatase activity inhibition and the Yeast oestrogen (YES) and Yeast androgen screen (YAS) assays. The impact of metabolism was also evaluated. The YES/YAS assays exhibited a high sensitivity for ER effects and, despite some challenges in predicting AR effects, is a good initial screening assay. Results from receptor-binding and CALUX assays generally correlated and were in accordance with classifications based on ToxCast assays. ER agonism and AR antagonism of benzyl butyl phthalate were abolished when CALUX assays included liver S9. In silico final calls were mostly in agreement with the in vitro assays, and predicted ER and AR effects well. The efficiency of the in silico models (reflecting applicability domains or inconclusive results) was 43-100%. The percentage of correct calls for ER (50-100%), AR (57-100%) and aromatase (33-100%) effects when compared to the final ToxCast call covered a wide range from highly reliable to less reliable models. In conclusion, Danish (Q)SAR, Opera, ADMET Lab LBD and ProToxII models demonstrated the best overall performance for ER and AR effects. These can be combined with the YES/YAS assays in an initial screen of chemicals in the early tiers of an NGRA to inform on the MoA and the design of mechanistic in vitro assays used later in the assessment. Inhibition of aromatase was best predicted by the Vega, AdmetLab and ProToxII models. Other mechanisms and exposure should be considered when making a conclusion with respect to ED effects.

Epidemiology of heart failure and long-term follow-up outcomes in a north-African population: Results from the NAtional TUnisian REgistry of Heart Failure (NATURE-HF)

The NATURE-HF registry was aimed to describe clinical epidemiology and 1-year outcomes of outpatients and inpatients with heart failure (HF). This is a prospective, multicenter, observational survey conducted in Tunisian Cardiology centers. A total of 2040 patients were included in the study. Of these, 1632 (80%) were outpatients with chronic HF (CHF). The mean hospital stay was 8.7 ± 8.2 days. The mortality rate during the initial hospitalization event for AHF was 7.4%. The all-cause 1-year mortality rate was 22.8% among AHF patients and 10.6% among CHF patients. Among CHF patients, the older age, diabetes, anemia, reduced EF, ischemic etiology, residual congestion and the absence of ACEI/ ARBs treatment were independent predictors of 1-year cumulative rates of rehospitalization and mortality. The female sex and the functional status were independent predictors of 1-year all-cause mortality and rehospitalization in AHF patients. This study confirmed that acute HF is still associated with a poor prognosis, while the mid-term outcomes in patients with chronic HF seems to be improved. Some differences across countries may be due to different clinical characteristics and differences in healthcare systems.

Bacterial Analysis for Seminal Fluid befor In-vitro Fertilization Procedure

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most advanced technique of assisted reproductive where the sperm reach the eggs for fertilization in a laboratory tube. Seminal fluid often contains bacterial contaminants that decrease the quality and quantity of seminal fluids. Aim: In this study we investigated the presence of bacteria in semen before IVF procedure. Methodology: All samples were identified according to the morphological, biochemical, molecular, and antimicrobial tests. Results: Microbial species were detected in 28% of semen samples, while 72% did not show any bacterial growth. The prevalent bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus spp., Enterococcus spp., Catellicoccus spp., and Pseudomonas spp. Conclusion: The use of microbiological analysis to identify resistant bacterial isolates is considered an effective method to reduce infertility in men by changing the contaminated semen.

[Cocaine-induced acute myocarditis]

Cocaine is a potent sympathomimetic drug usually associated with cardiotoxicity, including ventricular arrhythmia, systemic hypertension and acute myocardial infarction. It constitutes the most frequent cause of drug-related death reported by medical examiners in the US, and these events are most often related to the cardiovascular manifestations of the drug. However; to the best of our knowledge; cocaine induced acute myocarditis has very rarely been reported. We describe the case of a 19 year-old male regular user of marijuana and cocaine who was admitted for a suspicion on an acute lateral-wall myocardial infarction and in whom the final diagnosis of acute cocaine myocarditis has been made. We report diagnosis modalities and evolution.

Extracellular NK histones promote immune cell anti-tumor activity by inducing cell clusters through binding to CD138 receptor

Background

Natural killer (NK) cells are important anti-tumor cells of our innate immune system. Their anti-cancer activity is mediated through interaction of a wide array of activating and inhibitory receptors with their ligands on tumor cells. After activation, NK cells also secrete a variety of pro-inflammatory molecules that contribute to the final immune response by modulating other innate and adaptive immune cells. In this regard, external proteins from NK cell secretome and the mechanisms by which they mediate these responses are poorly defined.

Methods

TRANS-stable-isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture (TRANS-SILAC) combined with proteomic was undertaken to identify early materials transferred between cord blood-derived NK cells (CB-NK) and multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Further in vitro and in vivo studies with knock-down of histones and CD138, overexpression of histones and addition of exogenous histones were undertaken to confirm TRANS-SILAC results and to determine functional roles of this material transferred.

Results

We describe a novel mechanism by which histones are actively released by NK cells early after contact with MM cells. We show that extracellular histones bind to the heparan sulfate proteoglycan CD138 on the surface of MM cells to promote the creation of immune-tumor cell clusters bringing immune and MM cells into close proximity, and thus facilitating not only NK but also T lymphocyte anti-MM activity.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates a novel immunoregulatory role of NK cells against MM cells mediated by histones, and an additional role of NK cells modulating T lymphocytes activity that will open up new avenues to design future immunotherapy clinical strategies.

Transmissible cytotoxicity of multiple myeloma cells by cord blood-derived NK cells is mediated by vesicle trafficking

Natural killer cells (NK) are important effectors of anti-tumor immunity, activated either by the downregulation of HLA-I molecules on tumor cells and/or the interaction of NK-activating receptors with ligands that are overexpressed on target cells upon tumor transformation (including NKG2D and NKP30). NK kill target cells by the vesicular delivery of cytolytic molecules such as Granzyme-B and Granulysin activating different cell death pathways, which can be Caspase-3 dependent or Caspase-3 independent. Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable neoplastic plasma-cell disorder. However, we previously reported the encouraging observation that cord blood-derived NK (CB-NK), a new source of NK, showed anti-tumor activity in an in vivo murine model of MM and confirmed a correlation between high levels of NKG2D expression by MM cells and increased efficacy of CB-NK in reducing tumor burden. We aimed to characterize the mechanism of CB-NK-mediated cytotoxicity against MM cells. We show a Caspase-3- and Granzyme-B-independent cell death, and we reveal a mechanism of transmissible cell death between cells, which involves lipid-protein vesicle transfer from CB-NK to MM cells. These vesicles are secondarily transferred from recipient MM cells to neighboring MM cells amplifying the initial CB-NK cytotoxicity achieved. This indirect cytotoxicity involves the transfer of NKG2D and NKP30 and leads to lysosomal cell death and decreased levels of reactive oxygen species in MM cells. These findings suggest a novel and unique mechanism of CB-NK cytotoxicity against MM cells and highlight the importance of lipids and lipid transfer in this process. Further, these data provide a rationale for the development of CB-NK-based cellular therapies in the treatment of MM.

Sperm abnormalities in post-thawed semen of Tunisian Arab stallions

The study was undertaken in order to evaluate sperm morphology features of post-thawed semen of Tunisian Arab stallions. Forty two ejaculates was collected and frozen, during years 2009 and 2010, from 9 stallions aged between 9 to 24 years. After thawing, sperm morphology was studied after eosin-nigrosin stain. The percentages of abnormal head, mid piece, flagella, sperm with droplets and the total abnormal sperm were determined. Analysis of variance was carried out using SAS software. The results showed that all sperm morphology features varied among ejaculates within stallion and among stallions (p<0.01). The percentage of abnormal flagella and total abnormal sperm varied between young and old stallions (p<0.01). We concluded that freezing and thawing processes increased abnormal sperm that is due to cell alteration for old and young stallions, and consequently, the decrease of the quality of the thawed semen of Tunisian Arab stallions.

[Intermittent myocardial ischemia after surgical angioplasty of left main coronary artery]

Two 38 and 53-year old male patients with unstable angina, whose hemodynamic study showed an isolated stenosis of the left coronary artery ostium, were submitted to a surgical angioplasty of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) with saphenous vein patch. At the end of the operation, the patients presented intermitent myocardial isquemia. One of them led to abrupt cardiogenic shock which reversed completely. The postoperative hemodynamic study demonstrated excellent left main coronary artery patency and normal left ventricular of LMCA has been proposed as an alternative technique to the treatment of ostial lesions, the surgical team should be prepared to face severe operative morbidity. The LMCA spasm has been considered as a possible etiology of that event.

Failure to demonstrate a consistent in vitro bactericidal effect of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole against enterococci

Controversy exists as to the in vitro and in vivo activities of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) against enterococci. In this study, we investigated the in vitro activity of TMP-SMX in the type of Mueller-Hinton broth previously reported to give the lowest MICs and MBCs with enterococci. In all instances, MICs were less than or equal to 0.5 microgram/ml. The majority of tests showed MBCs of greater than 32 micrograms/ml, although there was some effect from varying the inoculum and the length of incubation after subculturing. Minor differences were noted when tests were repeated and between the results from microdilution and macrodilution tests and those obtained by the time-kill method. These results, as well as other reports, suggest that TMP-SMX should not be considered a reliable bactericidal agent against enterococci.