Fluorite-related iridate Pr3IrO7: crystal growth, structure, magnetism, thermodynamic, and optical properties

Spin-orbit coupling in heavy 5dmetal oxides, in particular, iridates have received tremendous interest in recent years due to the realization of exotic electronic and magnetic phases. Here, we report the synthesis, structural, magnetic, thermodynamic, and optical properties of the ternary iridate Pr₃IrO₇. Single crystals of Pr₃IrO₇have been grown by the KF flux method. Structural analysis shows that Pr₃IrO₇crystallizes in an orthorhombic phase withCmcmsymmetry. The electron energy loss spectroscopy study indicates that Pr is in a 3+ valence state, which implies a 5+ oxidation state of Ir. Magnetization data measured at high and low magnetic fields do not exhibit any bifurcation betweenM_ZFCandM_FC, however, a weak hump inM(T) is observed atT∗∼10.4 K. The specific heat data reveal two maxima at ∼253 and ∼4.8 K. The optical conductivityσ1(ω)spectrum shows 24 infrared-active phonon modes and reveals an insulating behavior with an optical gapΔOPof size ∼500 meV. During cooling down, the temperature-dependent reflectivity spectrum reveals eight extra phonon modes below the structural phase transition (∼253 K). An anomaly is observed at aroundT∗in the temperature evolution of infrared-active mode frequencies suggesting the presence of significant spin-phonon coupling in the system.

Exploring behavior change motivation in an outpatient sample with more than one health risk behavior

Background

Evidence from western countries shows that the majority of adults have two or more health risk behaviors. The motivation to engage in a health behavior change (HBC) is the most proximal determinant of behavior change in the future. The aim of this study was to investigate the intention to increase physical activity and to quit smoking in an outpatient sample that show both health risk behaviors.

Methods

We used baseline data (n = 109) of an intervention study (Germany, 2016-2019) on physical activity and smoking cessation. Eligibility criteria were: aged 40 to 65 years, systolic blood pressure ≥130 mmHg, no history of cardiovascular event or vascular intervention. We collected information on HBC motivation, sex, age, and self-rated health (SRH) and identified 32 physically inactive smokers. Descriptive analyses and Fisher’s exact test were used to explore the proportion of those motivated for HBC and differences according to sex, age (45-55 vs. 56-65 years), and SRH (excellent-good vs. poor-very poor).

Results

Participants (50% female) were on average 52.6 years old and 78% had school education ≤10 years. Overall, 44% intended to change physical inactivity only, 34% intended to change both behaviors, 13% wanted to change neither, and 9% intended to change smoking only. There was no difference in HBC motivation according to sex and age. But, there was a significant difference according to SRH (Fisher’s exact = 0.048); e.g., there were more individuals motivated to change both behaviors among those with lower SRH (64%) compared to those with higher SRH (19%).

Conclusions

In this baseline sample of an intervention study, the majority of participants intended to change physical inactivity but not smoking. Among those with lower SRH, almost two-thirds intended to change both behaviors. Thus, individuals with more than one health risk behavior differ in their HBC motivation. Lower SRH may offer a window of opportunity to promote HBC interventions.

Key messages

• Physically inactive smokers with a systolic blood pressure ≥130 mmHg differ in their motivation to change these behaviors.

• Lower self-rated health may offer a window of opportunity to promote interventions to change health behavior.

National strategy for palliative care of severely ill and dying people and their relatives in pandemics (PallPan) in Germany - study protocol of a mixed-methods project

Background

In the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, general and specialist Palliative Care (PC) plays an essential role in health care, contributing to symptom control, psycho-social support, and providing support in complex decision making. Numbers of COVID-19 related deaths have recently increased demanding more palliative care input. Also, the pandemic impacts on palliative care for non-COVID-19 patients. Strategies on the care for seriously ill and dying people in pandemic times are lacking. Therefore, the program ‘Palliative care in Pandemics’ (PallPan) aims to develop and consent a national pandemic plan for the care of seriously ill and dying adults and their informal carers in pandemics including (a) guidance for generalist and specialist palliative care of patients with and without SARS-CoV-2 infections on the micro, meso and macro level, (b) collection and development of information material for an online platform, and (c) identification of variables and research questions on palliative care in pandemics for the national pandemic cohort network (NAPKON).

Methods

Mixed-methods project including ten work packages conducting (online) surveys and qualitative interviews to explore and describe i) experiences and burden of patients (with/without SARS-CoV-2 infection) and their relatives, ii) experiences, challenges and potential solutions of health care professionals, stakeholders and decision makers during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The work package results inform the development of a consensus-based guidance. In addition, best practice examples and relevant literature will be collected and variables for data collection identified.

Discussion

For a future “pandemic preparedness” national and international recommendations and concepts for the care of severely ill and dying people are necessary considering both generalist and specialist palliative care in the home care and inpatient setting.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12904-021-00898-w.

A pre-registered short-term forecasting study of COVID-19 in Germany and Poland during the second wave

Disease modelling has had considerable policy impact during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and it is increasingly acknowledged that combining multiple models can improve the reliability of outputs. Here we report insights from ten weeks of collaborative short-term forecasting of COVID-19 in Germany and Poland (12 October-19 December 2020). The study period covers the onset of the second wave in both countries, with tightening non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and subsequently a decay (Poland) or plateau and renewed increase (Germany) in reported cases. Thirteen independent teams provided probabilistic real-time forecasts of COVID-19 cases and deaths. These were reported for lead times of one to four weeks, with evaluation focused on one- and two-week horizons, which are less affected by changing NPIs. Heterogeneity between forecasts was considerable both in terms of point predictions and forecast spread. Ensemble forecasts showed good relative performance, in particular in terms of coverage, but did not clearly dominate single-model predictions. The study was preregistered and will be followed up in future phases of the pandemic.

The Gly385(388)Arg Polymorphism of the FGFR4 Receptor Regulates Hepatic Lipogenesis Under Healthy Diet

CONTEXT

The effect of a lifestyle intervention to reduce liver fat content in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in humans is influenced by genetics. We hypothesized that the amino acid exchange in human Gly388Arg (mouse homolog: Gly385Arg) in fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4), which regulates bile acid, lipid, and glucose metabolism, could determine hepatic lipid accumulation and insulin sensitivity. Mechanisms of this substitution were studied in mice under normal chow and high-fat diets.

DESIGN

In humans, the Gly388Arg polymorphism was studied for its relationship with changes in liver fat content and insulin sensitivity during 9 months of a lifestyle intervention. We also studied a knock-in mouse strain with an Arg385 allele introduced into the murine FGFR4 gene under normal chow and high-fat diets.

RESULTS

In humans, the FGFR4 Arg388 allele was not associated with liver fat content or insulin sensitivity in subjects who were overweight and obese before lifestyle intervention. However, it was associated with less decrease in liver fat content and less increase in insulin sensitivity during the intervention. In mice receiving normal chow, the FGFR4 Arg385 allele was associated with elevated hepatic triglyceride content, altered hepatic lipid composition, and increased hepatic expression of genes inducing de novo lipogenesis and glycolysis. Body fat mass and distribution, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity were unaltered. The FGFR4 Arg385 allele had no effect on glucose or lipid metabolism under the high-fat diet.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate that the FGFR4 Arg388(385) allele affects hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism specifically during healthy caloric intake.

Lung cancer stem cells and their aggressive progeny, controlled by EGFR/MIG6 inverse expression, dictate a novel NSCLC treatment approach

The lung cancer stem cell (LuCSC) model comprises an attractive framework to explore acquired drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. Here, we used NSCLC cell line model to translate cellular heterogeneity into tractable populations to understand the origin of lung cancers and drug resistance. The epithelial LuCSCs, presumably arising from alveolar bipotent stem/progenitor cells, were lineage naïve, noninvasive, and prone to creating aggressive progeny expressing AT2/AT1 markers. LuCSC-holoclones were able to initiate rimmed niches, where their specialization created pseudo-alveoli structures. Mechanistically, LuCSC transitioning from self-renewal (β-catenin and Nanog signaling) to malignant lineage differentiation is regulated by EGFR activation and the inverse inhibition of tumor suppressor MIG6. We further identified the functional roles of endogenous EGFR signaling in mediating progeny invasiveness and their ligands in LuCSC differentiation. Importantly, drug screening demonstrated that EGFR driving progeny were strongly responsive to TKIs; however, the LuCSCs were exclusively resistant but sensitive to AMPK agonist Metformin, antibiotic Salinomycin and to a lesser degree Carboplatin. Our data reveals previously an unknown mechanism of NSCLC resistance to EGFR-TKIs, which is associated with LuCSCs bearing a silenced EGFR and inversely expressed MIG6 suppressor gene. Taken altogether, successful NSCLC treatment requires development of a novel combination of drugs, efficiently targeting both LuCSCs and heterogeneous progeny.

Discovery of N-[4-(Quinolin-4-yloxy)phenyl]benzenesulfonamides as Novel AXL Kinase Inhibitors

The overexpression of AXL kinase has been described in many types of cancer. Due to its role in proliferation, survival, migration, and resistance, AXL represents a promising target in the treatment of the disease. In this study we present a novel compound family that successfully targets the AXL kinase. Through optimization and detailed SAR studies we developed low nanomolar inhibitors, and after further biological characterization we identified a potent AXL kinase inhibitor with favorable pharmacokinetic profile. The antitumor activity was determined in xenograft models, and the lead compounds reduced the tumor size by 40% with no observed toxicity as well as lung metastasis formation by 66% when compared to vehicle control.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the G-Protein Coupled Receptor Kinase 5 (GRK5) Gene are associated with Plasma LDL-Cholesterol Levels in Humans

Genetically modified mice models suggest an important role for G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5) in the pathophysiology of obesity and related disorders. We investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding GRK5 affect cardiometabolic traits in humans. We genotyped 3 common SNPs in intron 1 (rs1980030, rs10466210, rs9325562) and one SNP in intron 3 (rs10886471) of GRK5 in 2332 subjects at risk for type 2 diabetes. Total- and visceral fat mass were measured by magnetic resonance (MR) tomography and liver fat content by ¹H-MR spectroscopy. Insulin secretion and sensitivity were estimated during an OGTT and measured during the euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic clamp (n = 498). Carriers of the minor allele of rs10466210 and rs1980030 had higher total- and LDL-cholesterol levels (p = 0.0018 and p = 0.0031, respectively, for rs10466210; p = 0.0035 and p = 0.0081, respectively, for rs1980030), independently of gender, age, BMI and lipid-lowering drugs. The effects of rs10466210 withstood Bonferroni correction. Similar associations were observed with apolipoprotein B levels (p = 0.0034 and p = 0.0122, respectively). Carriers of the minor allele of rs10466210 additionally displayed a trend for higher intima-media thickness of the carotid artery (p = 0.075). GRK5 may represent a novel target for strategies aiming at lowering LDL-cholesterol levels and at modifying cardiovascular risk.

Salinomycin co-treatment enhances tamoxifen cytotoxicity in luminal A breast tumor cells by facilitating lysosomal degradation of receptor tyrosine kinases

Luminal A breast cancer is the most common breast cancer subtype which is usually treated with selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS) like tamoxifen. Nevertheless, one third of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer patients initially do not respond to endocrine therapy and about 40% of luminal A breast tumors recur in five years. In this study, we investigated an alternative treatment approach by combining tamoxifen and salinomycin in luminal A breast cancer cell lines. We have found that salinomycin induces an additional cytotoxic effect by inhibiting the ligand independent activation of ERα. Thereby salinomycin increases the intracellular calcium level. This leads to a premature fusion of endosomes with lysosomes and thus to the degradation of Egfr family members. Since this process is essential for luminal A breast cancer cells to circumvent tamoxifen treatment, the combination of both drugs induces cytotoxicity in tamoxifen sensitive as well as resistant luminal A breast cancer cell lines.

Intestinal and hepatic contributions to the pharmacokinetic interaction between gamithromycin and rifampicin after single-dose and multiple-dose administration in healthy foals

BACKGROUND

Standard treatment of foals with severe abscessing lung infection caused by Rhodococcus equi using rifampicin and a macrolide antibiotic can be compromised by extensive inhibition and/or induction of drug metabolising enzymes (e.g. CYP3A4) and transport proteins (e.g. P-glycoprotein), as has been shown for rifampicin and clarithromycin. The combination of rifampicin with the new, poorly metabolised gamithromycin, a long-acting analogue of azithromycin and tulathromycin with lower pharmacokinetic interaction potential, might be a suitable alternative.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the pharmacokinetic interactions and pulmonary distribution of rifampicin and gamithromycin in healthy foals, and to investigate the cellular uptake of gamithromycin in vitro.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled, four-period, consecutive, single-dose and multiple-dose study.

METHODS

Pharmacokinetics and lung distribution of rifampicin (10 mg/kg) and gamithromycin (6 mg/kg) were measured in nine healthy foals using LC-MS/MS. Enzyme induction was confirmed using the 4β-OH-cholesterol/cholesterol ratio. Affinity of gamithromycin to drug transport proteins was evaluated in vitro using equine hepatocytes and MDCKII-cells stably transfected with human OATP1B1, OATP1B3 and OATP2B1.

RESULTS

Rifampicin significantly (P<0.05) increased the plasma exposure of gamithromycin (16.2 ± 4.77 vs. 8.57 ± 3.10 μg × h/mL) by decreasing the total body clearance. Otherwise, gamithromycin significantly lowered plasma exposure of single- and multiple-dose rifampicin (83.8 ± 35.3 and 112 ± 43.1 vs. 164 ± 96.7 μg × h/mL) without a change in metabolic ratio and half-life. Gamithromycin was identified as an inhibitor of human OATP1B1, OATP1B3 and OATP2B1 and as a substrate of OATP2B1. In addition, it was extracted by equine hepatocytes via a mechanism which could be inhibited by rifampicin.

MAIN LIMITATIONS

Influence of gamithromycin on pulmonary distribution of rifampicin was not evaluated.

CONCLUSION

The plasma exposure of gamithromycin is significantly increased by co-administration of rifampicin which is most likely caused by inhibition of hepatic elimination.

Pitfalls in accelerometer-based measurement of physical activity: The presence of reactivity in an adult population

When a behavior is monitored, it is likely to change, even if no change may be intended. This phenomenon is known as measurement reactivity. We investigated systematic changes in accelerometer-based measures over the days of monitoring as an indicator of measurement reactivity in an adult population. One hundred seventy-one participants from the general population (65% women; mean age = 55 years, range: 42-65 years) wore accelerometers for 7 consecutive days to measure sedentary behavior and physical activity (PA). Latent growth models were used (a) to investigate changes in accelerometer wear time over the measurement days and (b) to identify measurement reactivity indicated by systematic changes in sedentary time (ST), light physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Over the measurement days, participants reduced accelerometer wear time by trend (rate of change [b] = -4.7 min/d, P = .051, Cohen's d = .38), increased ST (b = 2.4 min/d, P = .018, d = .39), and reduced LPA (b = -2.4 min/d, P = .015, d = .38). Participants did not significantly reduce MVPA (P = .537). Our data indicated that accelerometry might generate reactivity. Small effects on ST and LPA were found. Thus, the validity of accelerometer-based data on ST and LPA may be compromised. Systematic changes observed in accelerometer wear time may further bias accelerometer-based measures. MVPA seems to be less altered due to the presence of an accelerometer.

GAS6-expressing and self-sustaining cancer cells in 3D spheroids activate the PDK-RSK-mTOR pathway for survival and drug resistance

AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibition presents a promising therapeutic strategy for aggressive tumor subtypes, as AXL signaling is upregulated in many cancers resistant to first-line treatments. Furthermore, the AXL ligand growth arrest-specific gene 6 (GAS6) has recently been linked to cancer drug resistance. Here, we established that challenging conditions, such as serum deprivation, divide AXL-overexpressing tumor cell lines into non-self-sustaining and self-sustaining subtypes in 3D spheroid culture. Self-sustaining cells are characterized by excessive GAS6 secretion and TAM-PDK-RSK-mTOR pathway activation. In 3D spheroid culture, the activation of the TAM-PDK-RSK-mTOR pathway proves crucial following treatment with AXL/MET inhibitor BMS777607, when the self-sustaining tumor cells react with TAM-RSK hyperactivation and enhanced SRC-AKT-mTOR signaling. Thus, bidirectional activated mTOR leads to enhanced proliferation and counteracts the drug effect. mTOR activation is accompanied by an enhanced AXL expression and hyperphosphorylation following 24 h of treatment with BMS777607. Therefore, we elucidate a double role of AXL that can be assigned to RSK-mTOR as well as SRC-AKT-mTOR pathway activation, specifically through AXL Y779 phosphorylation. This phosphosite fuels the resistance mechanism in 3D spheroids, alongside further SRC-dependent EGFR Y1173 and/or MET Y1349 phosphorylation which is defined by the cell-specific addiction. In conclusion, self-sustenance in cancer cells is based on a signaling synergy, individually balanced between GAS6 TAM-dependent PDK-RSK-mTOR survival pathway and the AXLY779/EGFR/MET-driven SRC-mTOR pathway.

Sunitinib specifically augments glucose-induced insulin secretion

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib is used for the treatment of numerous cancers in humans. In diabetic patients, sunitinib lowers blood glucose levels and improves glycaemic control. This study aims to analyse whether sunitinib has specific and direct effects on insulin secreting β-cells. Regulation of insulin secretion, of cellular cAMP levels and activation of signalling pathways were examined upon exposure of rat insulinoma INS-1E cells to sunitinib under specific stimulatory and inhibitory conditions. Secreted insulin and cellular cAMP levels were measured using RIA and ELISA, respectively. Protein phosphorylations were examined on western blots. Sunitinib enhanced glucose-induced insulin secretion (GIIS) concentration-dependently, reaching a maximal stimulation at 2μM. Sunitinib further augmented insulin secretion in the presence of elevated cAMP levels and the FFAR1 agonists. Adrenaline and the PKA inhibitor H89 counteracted the stimulatory effect of sunitinib on secretion. However, sunitinib altered neither the cellular levels of cAMP nor the phosphorylation of PKA. Sunitinib did not reduce IGF-1-induced phosphorylation of AKT/PKB and ERK1/2. In conclusion, these results suggest that sunitinib stimulates GIIS by a direct effect on β-cells, which may contribute to the glucose-lowering action of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor in humans.

[Rehabilitation Processes in Out- and Inpatient Rehabilitation after Radical Prostatectomy]

We evaluated processes in in- and outpatient rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy. Overall, we analyzed motivation and expectations of 119 in- and 719 outpatients (aged≤64) at the beginning of rehabilitation as well as satisfaction and the amount of interventions at the end. Compared to inpatients outpatients had a higher socio-economic status and better physical condition. Both groups reported similar outcomes regarding motivation, expectation and satisfaction. Furthermore in- and outpatients got a comparable amount of interventions, but both groups differed to some extent in regard to the kind of interventions. In- and outpatients are comparable in regard to their received amount of interventions. Discrepancies concerning the kind of interventions are due to differences between in- and outpatients. The results indicate specific patients' characteristics in both settings, but more research is needed to verify these findings.

Inhibiting receptor tyrosine kinase AXL with small molecule inhibitor BMS-777607 reduces glioblastoma growth, migration, and invasion in vitro and in vivo

Purpose

Receptor tyrosine kinase AXL (RTK-AXL) is regarded as suitable target in glioma therapy. Here we evaluate the anti-tumoral effect of small molecule inhibitor BMS-777607 targeting RTK-AXL in a preclinical glioma model and provide evidence that RTK-AXL is expressed and phosphorylated in primary and recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

Experimental design

We studied the impact of BMS-777607 targeting RTK-AXL in GBM models in vitro and in vivo utilizing glioma cells SF126 and U118MG. Impact on proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis was investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and functional assays in vitro and in vivo. Tumor growth was assessed with MRI. Human GBM tissue was analyzed in terms of RTK-AXL phosphorylation by immunoprecipitation and immunohistochemistry.

Results

BMS-777607 displayed various anti-cancer effects dependent on increased apoptosis, decreased proliferation and migration in vitro and ex vivo in SF126 and U118 GBM cells. In vivo we observed a 56% tumor volume reduction in SF126 xenografts and remission in U118MG xenografts of more than 91%. The tube formation assay confirmed the anti-angiogenic effect of BMS-777607, which became also apparent in tumor xenografts. IHC of human GBM tissue localized phosphorylated RTK-AXL in hypercellular tumor regions, the migratory front of tumor cells in pseudo-palisades, and in vascular proliferates within the tumor. We further proved RTK-AXL phosphorylation in primary and recurrent disease state.

Conclusion

Collectively, these data strongly suggest that targeting RTK-AXL with BMS-777607 could represent a novel and potent regimen for the treatment of primary and recurrent GBM.

Membrane-proximal binding of STAT3 revealed by cancer-associated receptor variants

In cancer biology, somatic mutations in the extracellular (ligand binding) and cytosolic (functional/catalytic) domains are pursued with great interest. However, in our recent publication we report that germline mutations in the membrane-proximal region of type I receptors are able to modulate the amplitude of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling in cells. This unexpected finding has implications for the prognosis of heritable cancer.

Germline variant FGFR4 p.G388R exposes a membrane-proximal STAT3 binding site

Variant rs351855-G/A is a commonly occurring single-nucleotide polymorphism of coding regions in exon 9 of the fibroblast growth factor receptor FGFR4 (CD334) gene (c.1162G>A). It results in an amino-acid change at codon 388 from glycine to arginine (p.Gly388Arg) in the transmembrane domain of the receptor. Despite compelling genetic evidence for the association of this common variant with cancers of the bone, breast, colon, prostate, skin, lung, head and neck, as well as soft-tissue sarcomas and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the underlying biological mechanism has remained elusive. Here we show that substitution of the conserved glycine 388 residue to a charged arginine residue alters the transmembrane spanning segment and exposes a membrane-proximal cytoplasmic signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) binding site Y(390)-(P)XXQ(393). We demonstrate that such membrane-proximal STAT3 binding motifs in the germline of type I membrane receptors enhance STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation by recruiting STAT3 proteins to the inner cell membrane. Remarkably, such germline variants frequently co-localize with somatic mutations in the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) database. Using Fgfr4 single nucleotide polymorphism knock-in mice and transgenic mouse models for breast and lung cancers, we validate the enhanced STAT3 signalling induced by the FGFR4 Arg388-variant in vivo. Thus, our findings elucidate the molecular mechanism behind the genetic association of rs351855 with accelerated cancer progression and suggest that germline variants of cell-surface molecules that recruit STAT3 to the inner cell membrane are a significant risk for cancer prognosis and disease progression.

Activation of Cardiac Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 4 Causes Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health threat that increases risk of death due to cardiovascular complications, including left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Novel therapeutic targets are needed to design treatments to alleviate the cardiovascular burden of CKD. Previously, we demonstrated that circulating concentrations of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 23 rise progressively in CKD and induce LVH through an unknown FGF receptor (FGFR)-dependent mechanism. Here, we report that FGF23 exclusively activates FGFR4 on cardiac myocytes to stimulate phospholipase Cγ/calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cell signaling. A specific FGFR4-blocking antibody inhibits FGF23-induced hypertrophy of isolated cardiac myocytes and attenuates LVH in rats with CKD. Mice lacking FGFR4 do not develop LVH in response to elevated FGF23, whereas knockin mice carrying an FGFR4 gain-of-function mutation spontaneously develop LVH. Thus, FGF23 promotes LVH by activating FGFR4, thereby establishing FGFR4 as a pharmacological target for reducing cardiovascular risk in CKD.

Novel compounds reducing IRS-1 serine phosphorylation for treatment of diabetes

Activation of various interacting stress kinases, particularly the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), and a concomitant phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) at serine 307 play a central role both in insulin resistance and in β-cell dysfunction. IRS-1 phosphorylation is stimulated by elevated free fatty acid levels through different pathways in obesity. A series of novel pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one derivatives were synthesized as potential antidiabetic agents, preventing IRS-1 phosphorylation at serine 307 in a cellular model of lipotoxicity and type 2 diabetes.

Metformin and salinomycin as the best combination for the eradication of NSCLC monolayer cells and their alveospheres (cancer stem cells) irrespective of EGFR, KRAS, EML4/ALK and LKB1 status

The presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is linked to preexisting or acquired drug resistance and tumor relapse. Therefore, targeting both differentiated tumor cells and CSCs was suggested as an effective approach for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. After screening of chemotherapeutic agents, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or monoclonal antibody in combination with the putative stem cell killer Salinomycin (SAL), we found Metformin (METF), which modestly exerted a growth inhibitory effect on monolayer cells and alveospheres/CSCs of 5 NSCLC cell lines regardless of their EGFR, KRAS, EML4/ALK and LKB1 status, interacted synergistically with SAL to effectively promote cell death. Inhibition of EGFR (AKT, ERK1/2) and mTOR (p70 s6k) signaling with the combination of METF and SAL can be augmented beyond that achieved using each agent individually. Phospho-kinase assay further suggested the multiple roles of this combination in reducing oncogenic effects of modules, such as ß-catenin, Src family kinases (Src, Lyn, Yes), Chk-2 and FAK. Remarkably, significant reduction of sphere formation was seen under combinatorial treatment in all investigated NSCLC cell lines. In conclusion, METF in combination with SAL could be a promising treatment option for patients with advanced NSCLC irrespective of their EGFR, KRAS, EML4/ALK and LKB1 status.

[Collaborative Goal Setting in Rehabilitation (ParZivar II): Evaluation of an Intervention in Patients with Chronic Back Pain]

OBJECTIVE

The "ParZivar II" project had 2 aims: optimization of the "ParZivar I" intervention by individual coaching of physicians, and evaluation of the optimized intervention.

METHODS

The intervention was evaluated in a sequential control group design in 4 rehabilitation facilities with 3 measurement points. A total of n=279 patients with chronic low back pain participated in the study.

RESULTS

The optimized intervention shows the potential to statistically significantly improve proximal outcomes (e. g. goal-centric processes or patient-physician interaction). Regarding distal outcomes, no statistically significant differences were found.

CONCLUSION

The "ParZivar" intervention is a suitable approach to increase participative goal setting. Due to the complexity of the intervention, problems of dissemination and the potential for improvement in study design, there is a need for further research.

Erk2 but not Erk1 regulates crosstalk between Met and EGFR in squamous cell carcinoma cell lines

BACKGROUND

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common type of tongue and larynx cancer and a common type of lung cancer. In this study, we attempted to specifically evaluate the signaling pathway underlying HGF/Met induced EGFR ligand release in SSCs. The Met proto-oncogene encodes for a tyrosine kinase receptor which is often hyperactivated in human cancers. Met activation correlates with poor patient outcome. Several studies revealed a role of Met in receptor-crosstalk inducing either activation of other receptors, or inducing their resistance to targeted cancer treatments. In an epithelial tumor cell line screen we recently showed that the Met ligand HGF blocks the EGFR tyrosine kinase and at the same time activates transcriptional upregulation and accumulation in the supernatant of the EGFR ligand amphiregulin (Oncogene 32:3846-56, 2013). In the present work we describe the pathway responsible for the amphiregulin induction.

FINDINGS

Amphiregulin is transcriptionally upregulated and is released into the supernatant. We show that Erk2 but not Erk1 mediates amphiregulin upregulation upon treatment with monocyte derived HGF. A siRNA knockdown of Erk2 completely abolishes amphiregulin release in squamous cell carcinomas.

CONCLUSIONS

These results identify Erk2 as the key downstream signal transducer between Met activation and EGFR ligand upregulation in squamous cell carcinoma cell lines derived from tongue, larynx and lung.

Selective growth of MFU-4l single crystals on microstructured plasma polymer coatings

Crystals of the metal–organic framework Ulm-4l(arge) grow site selectively and with 〈1 0 0〉 orientation on microtextured plasma polymer coatings.

Combined inhibition of AXL, Lyn and p130Cas kinases block migration of triple negative breast cancer cells

Blocking the migration of metastatic cancer cells is a major goal in the therapy of cancer. The receptor tyrosine kinase AXL is one of the main triggers for cancer cell migration in neoplasia of breast, colon, skin, thyroid and prostate. In our study we analyzed the effect of AXL inhibition on cell motility and viability in triple negative breast cancer cell lines overexpressing AXL. Thereby we reveal that the compound BMS777607, exhibiting the lowest IC50 values for inhibition of AXL kinase activity in the studied cell lines, attenuates cell motility to a lower extent than the kinase inhibitors MPCD84111 and SKI606. By analyzing the target kinases of MPCD84111 and SKI606 with kinase profiling assays we identified Lyn, a Src family kinase, as a target of both compounds. Knockdown of Lyn and the migration-related CRK-associated substrate (p130Cas), had a significant inhibitory effect on cell migration. Taken together, our findings highlight the importance of combinatorial or multikinase inhibition of non-receptor tyrosine kinases and AXL receptor tyrosine kinase in the therapy of triple negative breast cancer.

PTK7 as a potential prognostic and predictive marker of response to adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients, and resistance to anthracycline drugs

Biomarkers predicting resistance to particular chemotherapy regimens could play a key role in optimally individualized treatment concepts. PTK7 (protein tyrosine kinase 7) belongs to the receptor tyrosine kinase family involved in several physiological, but also malignant, cell behaviors. Recent studies in acute myeloid leukemia have associated PTK7 expression with resistance to anthracycline therapy. PTK7 mRNA expression in primary tumor tissue (PTT) and corresponding lymph node tissue (LNT) were retrospectively measured in 117 patients with early breast cancer; PTK7 expression was available in 103 PTT and 108 LNT samples. Median age was 60 years (range, 27-87 years). At a median follow-up of 28.5 months, 6 deaths and 16 recurrences had occurred. PTK7 expression correlations with clinicopathological features were computed and PTK7 expression effects on patient outcome were analyzed in three cohorts defined by adjuvant treatment: anthracycline-based treatment, other chemotherapy regimens (including taxane or other substances), or no chemotherapy. Association of PTK7 expression with clinicopathological features was seen only for age in PTT and nodal stage in LNT. High LN PTK7 was associated with poorer disease-free survival (DFS) in the total population (3-year DFS: low [81.7%] versus high [70.4%]; P=0.016) and in patients without adjuvant chemotherapy (3-year DFS: low [91.7%] versus high [22.3%]; P<0.001), but not in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (P=0.552). DFS stratified by PTK7 expression was compared in treatment cohorts: In patients with low LN PTK7 expression, neither chemotherapy cohort showed significantly better survival than the no-chemotherapy cohort. In patients with high LN PTK7 expression, those receiving chemotherapy, including substances other than anthracyclines, but not those receiving only anthracycline-based chemotherapy, showed significantly better DFS than those receiving no chemotherapy (P=0.001). Our results support earlier findings that PTK7 may be a prognostic and predictive marker associated with resistance to anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Further investigations are needed to validate these findings in breast cancer.

Elimination of B-RAF in oncogenic C-RAF-expressing alveolar epithelial type II cells reduces MAPK signal intensity and lung tumor growth

Tumors are often greatly dependent on signaling cascades promoting cell growth or survival and may become hypersensitive to inactivation of key components within these signaling pathways. Ras and RAF mutations found in human cancer confer constitutive activity to these signaling molecules thereby converting them into an oncogenic state. RAF dimerization is required for normal Ras-dependent RAF activation and is required for the oncogenic potential of mutant RAFs. Here we describe a new mouse model for lung tumor development to investigate the role of B-RAF in oncogenic C-RAF-mediated adenoma initiation and growth. Conditional elimination of B-RAF in C-RAF BxB-expressing embryonic alveolar epithelial type II cells did not block adenoma formation. However, loss of B-RAF led to significantly reduced tumor growth. The diminished tumor growth upon B-RAF inactivation was due to reduced cell proliferation in absence of senescence and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, B-RAF elimination inhibited C-RAF BxB-mediated activation of the mitogenic cascade. In line with these data, mutation of Ser-621 in C-RAF BxB abrogated in vitro the dimerization with B-RAF and blocked the ability to activate the MAPK cascade. Taken together these data indicate that B-RAF is an important factor in oncogenic C-RAF-mediated tumorigenesis.

Discovery and Biological Evaluation of Novel Dual EGFR/c-Met Inhibitors

Activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have been identified in a subset of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is one of the leading cancer types worldwide. Application of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors leads to acquired resistance by secondary EGFR mutations or by amplification of the hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-Met) gene. Although several EGFR and c-Met inhibitors have been reported, potent dual EGFR/c-Met inhibitors, which can overcome this latter resistance mechanism, have hitherto not been published and have not reached clinical trials. In the present study we have identified dual EGFR/c-Met inhibitors and designed novel N-[4-(quinolin-4-yloxy)-phenyl]-biarylsulfonamide derivatives, which inhibit the c-Met receptor and both the wild-type and the activating mutant EGFR kinases in nanomolar range. We have demonstrated by Western blot analysis that compound 10 inhibits EGFR and c-Met phosphorylation at cellular level and effectively inhibits viability of the NSCLC cell lines.