Fluorometric Quantification of Total Cell-Free DNA as a Prognostic Biomarker in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Blockade

The present study aimed to investigate the potential of basal cell-free fluorometric DNA (cfDNA) quantification as a prognostic biomarker in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with an Immune Checkpoint Blockade (ICB). A discovery and validation cohort of 61 and 31 advanced lung cancer patients treated with ICB were included in this study. Quantification of cfDNA concentration was performed before the start of the treatment and patients were followed up for a median of 34 (30-40) months. The prognostic predicted value of cfDNA was evaluated based on ROC, and Cox regression was conducted via univariate and multivariate analyses to estimate the hazard ratio. We observed that a cfDNA cut-off of 0.55 ng/µL before the ICB determines the overall survival of patients with a log rank p-value of 3.3 × 10^-4. That represents median survivals of 3.8 vs. 17.5 months. Similar results were obtained in the validation cohort being the log rank p-value 3.8 × 10^-2 with median survivals of 5.9 vs. 24.3. The univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that the cut-off of 0.55 ng/µL before ICB treatment was an independent predictive factor and was significantly associated with a better survival outcome. High cfDNA concentrations identify patients with advanced NSCLC who do not benefit from the ICB. The determination of cfDNA is a simple test that could select a group of patients in whom new therapeutic strategies are needed.

An autonomous lab on a chip for space flight calibration of gravity-induced transcellular calcium polarization in single-cell fern spores

This report describes the development of lab-on-a-chip device designed to measure changes in cellular ion gradients that are induced by changes in gravitational (g) forces. The bioCD presented here detects differential calcium ion concentrations outside of individual cells. The device includes sufficient replicates for statistical analysis of the gradients around multiple single cells and around control wells that are empty or include dead cells. In the data presented, the degree of the cellular response correlates with the magnitude of the g-force applied via rotation of the bioCD. The experiments recorded the longest continuous observation of a cellular response to hypergravity made to date, and they demonstrate the potential utility of this device for assaying the threshold of cells' g-force responses in spaceflight conditions.

Éducation thérapeutique : mise en place et évaluation d’un atelier du médicament dans un pôle clinique d’hospitalisation de psychiatrie adulte

Dans le cadre des programmes d’éducation thérapeutique du patient et suite à la demande d’un pôle clinique, la pharmacie des hôpitaux de Saint-Maurice a mis en place début 2015 un atelier du médicament dans 2 unités de l’établissement à l’attention des patients sortants. Ce poster présente le contenu de l’atelier ainsi qu’une évaluation des séances à 5 mois. L’atelier est proposé individuellement par le psychiatre de l’unité au patient sortant. La séance est ensuite animée par un pharmacien ainsi qu’un infirmier de l’unité à raison d’une heure tous les 15 jours. Il consiste en une séance interactive collective de 5 patients environ (individuelle à défaut de patients). Au moyen d’outils variés (tableau, film, boîtes vides, plans de soins, quizz, post-it, plaquettes informatives), les thématiques suivantes sont abordées : brainstorming autour du mot « médicament », notions de médicaments « pivots », « d’appoint » ou « correcteurs », reconnaissance des effets indésirables éventuels, rappels d’interactions médicamenteuses majeures, hygiène de vie, etc. À l’issue de la séance, un questionnaire anonyme est complété par le patient pour évaluer la séance. À 5 mois, 100 % des patients (n = 17) sont satisfaits par le contenu et la présentation des thèmes abordés ; la durée de la séance leur paraît correcte à 88 % ; 47 % des patients avaient des attentes avant l’atelier et celui-ci a permis d’y répondre pour 94 % d’entre eux. Quatre-vingt-quatorze pour cent des patients considèrent les informations reçues comme utiles dans la connaissance de leur maladie. Enfin, 35 % souhaiteraient pouvoir assister à une séance supplémentaire après leur sortie. Cinq mois après la mise en place de l’atelier dans ces 2 unités, le bilan s’avère positif tant par la satisfaction des patients que celle des soignants (meilleure alliance thérapeutique). Un projet de déploiement de cet atelier aux patients dans les structures extrahospitalières est en cours.

Prevalence Data of Rickettsia slovaca and Other SFG Rickettsiae Species in Dermacentor marginatus in the Southeastern Iberian Peninsula

In southern Spain, Dermacentor marginatus ticks can be infected with several genospecies of spotted fever Group (SFG) Rickettsia. We developed a nested polymerase chain reaction assay by using a species-specific probe targeting the ompA gene to detect and differentiate between the two groups of rickettsiae previously described in D. marginatus. SFG rickettsia has been detected in 85.15% of ticks studied (26.7% of positives have been to R. slovaca, the causative agent of TIBOLA-DEBONEL, and 73.3% to SFG rickettsia closely related to strains RpA4-JL-02-DnS14-DnS28).

Expression profiling of the Arabidopsis annexin gene family during germination, de-etiolation and abiotic stress

Annexins are a multigene family in most plant species and are suggested to play a role in a wide variety of essential cellular processes. In Arabidopsis thaliana there are eight different annexins (AnnAt1-8), which range from 29% to 83% in deduced amino acid sequence identity. As a first step toward clarifying the individual functions of these annexins, in this study we have used quantitative real time reverse transcription PCR to assess their differential expression in different tissues or after different stimuli. We determined which annexins are expressed during germination and early seedling growth by assaying annexin expression levels in dry and germinating seeds and in 7-day-old light-grown seedlings. Our results indicate that transcripts for all eight annexins are present in germinating seeds and that transcript levels for all the annexins increase by 7 days of normal growth. We assayed transcript levels in dark grown roots, cotyledons, and hypocotyls and found that the relative abundance of each annexin varied in these dark-grown tissues. We also examined the effects of red and far red light treatments on annexin expression in 5.5-day-old etiolated seedlings. Light treatments significantly altered transcript levels in hypocotyls and cotyledons for only two members of the gene family. Finally, we monitored annexin expression changes in response to a variety of abiotic stresses. We found that the expression of most of the Arabidopsis annexin genes is differentially regulated by exposure to salt, drought, and high- and low-temperature conditions, indicating a likely role for members of this gene family in stress responses.

1-Deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase, a limiting enzyme for plastidic isoprenoid biosynthesis in plants

The initial step of the plastidic 2C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway that produces isopentenyl diphosphate is catalyzed by 1-deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase. To investigate whether or not 1-deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase catalyzes a limiting step in the MEP pathway in plants, we produced transgenic Arabidopsis plants that over- or underexpress this enzyme. Compared with non-transgenic wild-type plants, the transgenic plants accumulate different levels of various isoprenoids such as chlorophylls, tocopherols, carotenoids, abscisic acid, and gibberellins. Phenotypically, the transgenic plants had slight alterations in growth and germination rates. Because the levels of several plastidic isoprenoids correlate with changes in 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase levels, we conclude that this enzyme catalyzes one of the rate-limiting steps of the MEP biosynthetic pathway. Furthermore, since the product of the MEP pathway is isopentenyl diphosphate, our results suggest that in plastids the pool of isopentenyl diphosphate is limiting to isprenoid production.

Analysis of the expression of CLA1, a gene that encodes the 1-deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate synthase of the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate pathway in Arabidopsis

The discovery of the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate pathway for the biosynthesis of isoprenoids raises the important question of the nature and regulation of the enzymes involved in this pathway. CLA1, a gene previously isolated from Arabidopsis, encodes the first enzyme of the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate pathway, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase. We demonstrate this enzyme activity by complementation of the cla1-1 mutant phenotype and by direct enzymatic assays. Based on mRNA and protein expression patterns this enzyme is expressed mainly in developing photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic tissues. The beta-glucuronidase expression pattern driven from the CLA1 gene regulatory region supports the northern and protein data while also showing that this gene has some level of expression in most tissues of the plant. A mutation in the CLA1 gene interferes with the normal development of chloroplasts and etioplasts, but does not seem to affect amyloplast structure. Microscopic analysis also shows a pleiotropic effect of the CLA1 gene mutation in mesophyll tissue formation.

Histopathological changes in the reproductive organs of Manchego ewes grazing on lucerne

The effects of prolonged exposure to phyto-oestrogens (coumestrol) on the morphology of the reproductive organs of ewes were studied in 28 lucerne-grazing animals, and compared with 28 control ewes given a standard coumestrol-free diet. The anatomical studies showed that 43% of the ewes fed lucerne displayed macroscopic changes within the genital tract, of which the uterine alterations were especially prominent. The microscopic examination of the test group ewes identified specific histopathological features of the uterus and cervix. A greater than normal development of the cervical folds was observed, as well as cystic formations of different sizes whose content was eosinophilic. In the rest of the uterus, more glandular activity was detected in the lucerne-grazing group than in the control ewes, although cystic formations were not seen.

Pulmonary capillary dynamics and fluid distribution after burn and inhalation injury

A non-linear macroscopic mathematical model is described for the simulation of the different mechanisms that regulate the pulmonary capillary dynamics in patients with thermal injury. The techniques used in the construction of the model are those of 'system's dynamics'. This model has been incorporated into a patient simulator, which makes it possible to analyse the fluid and protein exchanges in a burn patient. The regulating mechanisms involved are: the pulmonary circulation, the fluid and protein transfer between the plasma and the interstitial space at the pulmonary capillary level, and the pulmonary lymphatic system. As a result of the sensitivity analyses of the model we propose that, for the simulation of the effects of an inhalation injury at the pulmonary capillary level, the parameters to be altered will be the pulmonary capillary permeability coefficient for proteins and the pulmonary capillary surface damaged by the injury. To verify the validity and utility of the model, the clinical progress of a series of burn patients with lung injuries has been compared with the results obtained using simulation.

Analysis of burn injury by digital simulation

A non-linear mathematical model for digital simulation of fluid distribution in burn patients during the first 48 h after injury is presented. The technique employed in the model construction is the system dynamic approach. A five-compartment model has been considered. The control mechanisms incorporated are adequate for describing the interactions between plasma and interstitial fluid and between the extra- and intracellular compartments. With the model we are able to analyse the dynamic behaviour of many variables, for example the plasma, interstitial, extra- and intracellular fluid volumes and the plasma and interstitial proteins in burn and non-burn areas. These values are very difficult to measure in daily clinical practice, although they indicate the actual state of a burn patient. The simulation results are compared with measured values in a series of patients from a burn unit in a general hospital.

Carcinogenesis: Mechanism and Criteria of Carcinogenic Activity

The pattern of carcinogenic action is described for locally acting as well as for remotely acting carcinogens. Whether applied locally, injected subcutaneously or given by mouth, aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons are potentially carcinogenic for all tissues, whereas other known locally acting carcinogens have no such wide action. Solubility and diffusibility of the compound should be considered, but the question of localization of induced tumours is a problem of dose-response relationship.The method for evaluating carcinogenic action of a compound is based on the readiness with which the tumour is induced, and not in terms of the intensity of the response. The average latent period and the percentage of tumour yield are the two measures used. Since, at the present time, no chemical tests are available to determine whether a substance is carcinogenic, one must resort to biological methods of testing carcinogenic activity.The value of a long-term test for carcinogenesis, under a given set of rigidly controlled conditions, is emphasized, since there are so many variables which singly or in combination may alter the final effect of a given substance.

BACTERIOLOGY OF THE THYROID IN GOITRE: II.-Some Experimental Results

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Embolism or Thrombosis of the Central Retinal Vessels?

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